Health Benefits by Therapy

Here's the place to look up a therapy and see what benefits to expect.

Let's say you're taking a yoga class and wonder what benefits there are to your overall health. Or, you're considering homeopathy, but want to know if there are remedies for your specific health issue.

Gathered in the charts below you will find answers! For the larger chunks, I've broken them into alphabetical subgroups. Read on--and learn!

Therapy to Benefits:

Acupuncture	acute and chronic pain, depression, epigastralgia, headache, hypertension and hypotension, morning sickness, temporomandibular pain, periarthritis of shoulder, postoperative pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, stroke and tennis elbow
Aromatherapy: A to E	aching and stiff joints, acne and spotty skin; anxiety, arthritis, bad breath, bronchitis, bruises, burns, cancer, catarrh/colds, chilblains, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold sores, colds and flu, colitis, constipation, cough, cuts and grazes, cystitis, dandruff, depression; diarrhea; dry, sensitive, mature skin; dry, sore skin; eczema, nervous exhaustion
Aromatherapy: F-J	fainting, fibromyalgia, mental fatigue, fear, flu, fluid retention, headache/migraine, heartburn, high blood pressure, hysteria, indigestion, inflamed and sore gums, insect bites or stings; insomnia, irregular periods, irritability, itchy skin (dermatitis)
Aromatherapy: K-P	mature skin, memory, menopausal bleeding, mouth ulcers, muscular aches and pains, nausea and vomiting, nervous tension, panic, period pain, perspiration in excess; poor circulation, psoriasis
Aromatherapy: Q-T	rheumatism, shock, sinus problems, sore throat, stiff neck, stomach pain and wind; stress, sunburn, tension, thrush; tired, aching legs; travel sickness
Aromatherapy: U-Z	very dehydrated, whooping cough

An alternative health therapy that's both versatile and safe, aromatherapy uses essential oils either on the skin or inhaled. To blend, generally, simply use 2 tsp (10 ml) of carrier oil to 6 drops of essential oil. Reduce the essential oil to 4 drops for use on the face.

Carrier oils should be fine-textured, with little-to-no color nor smell. Good examples include:

soya bean
grapeseed
safflower
sunflower

Quantity note: Less is more. "These oils are most potent in small quantities. Adding more will not increase their beneficial effect—and could even do the exact opposite. A little goes a long, long way!” -- Julie Sadler, author

You may also want to jet over to the Aromatherapy page.

Therapy to Benefits, continued....

Biofeedback	cancer, stress
Breath work	pace respiration (a slow form of breathing similar to that taught in yoga) for breast cancer; deep-breathing for fatigue and depression
Chiropractic	chronic fatigue, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, joint pain, migraine headache, high or low blood pressure, colic, recovery from trauma (such as injuries due to accidents)
Exercise	cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia (stretching, swimming, cycling and water aerobics), Parkinson's disease, HIV infection, chronic low back pain (specifically, yoga), heart device patients
Green Tea	lowers blood pressure; keeps artery walls flexible; reduces danger of clots; benefits those with Type 2 diabetes
Guided Imagery	abdominal pain in children; cancer patients

Green Tea for lower cholesterol? Yes! For details, see green tea benefits.

Since there's more information on homeopathy than possible to cover here, I've included another page on it... Homeopathy.

Homeopathy Remedies

breasts, reproductive and urinary system	cystitis, infertility, menstrual period difficulties, endometriosis, miscarriage, cramps
pregnancy, birth and post-partum	swollen hands/ankles and/or feet, sleep problems, post-partum depression
chest, heart and circulation	anemia, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, giving up smoking, cough
digestive system	irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and heartburn, peptic ulcers, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and colitis, hemorrhoids
emergencies	first aid, bleeding, concussion and head injuries, heart attack, stroke, heatstroke, shock, fractures, sprains and strains
emotional problems	anorexia & bulimia nervosa, drug & alcohol abuse, anxiety, concentration problems, lack of confidence, clinical depression, grief, hypochondria, panic, mood swings, phobias, obsessions, stress, anger, temper and irritability
head and throat	colds and influenza, headaches and migraine
menopause	osteoporosis, fibroids, hot sweats and flushes, vaginal dryness
metabolic problems	chronic fatigue syndrome, hypoglycemia, food intolerance, obesity
skin, joints and muscles	allergy rashes, eczema, fibromyalgia, itching and skin irritation, shingles, backache and muscle pain, care before and after surgery, rheumatism and arthritis

To read a page devoted to the natural healing therapy of massage, follow this link.

Therapy to Benefits, continued....

Hypnosis	cancer
Massage Therapy	cancer (promotes healing), chronic fatigue, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, stress, joint pain
Meditation	cancer, fibromyalgia, menopause, stress
Music Therapy	cancer (promotes immune system function)
Prayer	cancer, breast cancer neoplasms, chronic pain, immune system dysfunctions, skin problems, depression, recovery from surgery
Reflexology	pain relief, proper bowel function, fibromyalgia, allergy symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome
Reiki (energy healing)	AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, painful neuropathy and cardiovascular risk factors (All these have been studied by NCCAM.)
Relaxation	cancer, psoriasis, stress, tension type headaches, promotes healing
Tai Chi (Chi Gung--or QiGong--version)	chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, stress, blood pressure, overall health and vitality; improves balance, breathing capacity, posture, flexibility, range of motion, and helps calm central nervous system. NCCAM studies: shingles, heart device patients, chronic low back pain and knee osteoarthritis.
Yoga (Ananda)	tension type headaches and migraine; cancer; psoriasis
Yoga - various types Improves:	joint flexibility--as in fibromyalgia, etc.; blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate and metabolic rate; muscle tone; stress; immune system function; memory; nervous system; lung capacity; energy levels--as in chronic fatigue

Hungry for more information about yoga? We've got that for you: see Yoga You Can Do!

For more about the benefits of Yoga,
including a video demonstrating yogic breathing, --click this link.

Sources

In doing research, I've used everything from web sites and articles online, to magazines and books, to pamphlets from doctors' offices. Most frequent sources for the charts above:

Mayo Clinic’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program
Aromatherapy by Julie Sadler
“Body and Soul” magazine, October 2007
Homeopathy for Women by Dr. Barry Rose and Dr. Christina Schott-Moncrieff
NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine—a division of the National Institutes of Health) completed studies found at: www.ClinicalTrials.gov

To consult the chart that references medical issues and their treatment possibilities, see

Malady to Treatment.

Return from Therapy to Benefits to Home Page.

SBI!