Alternative Therapies
Although I've been a proponent of alternative medicine for decades, I was thrilled by this news. Let?s take a moment to explore the details of the study, as well as why I was so surprised and delighted by the results.
No Small Accomplishment
As a doctor in the 70s and 80s, I often wondered whether natural treatments would ever become widely accepted. I knew that these therapies worked, because I saw the results over and over again in my patients. Even so, there were many times I had to bite my tongue when other doctors snidely referred to the kind of medicine I was practicing as "alternative," insinuating that it was somehow second-best. So I was very excited when I read this study. It indicates that people everywhere are taking a more proactive approach when it comes to their health-and that benefits everyone. It also implies that people have found some of the old conventional approaches lacking and, more importantly, that alternative therapies are being used with success by the mainstream.
The Top Ten Therapies
According to the study, the ten most commonly used alternative therapies are:
43 percent-Prayer for one's own health
24 percent-Prayer by others for one's own health
19 percent-Natural products (vitamins, minerals, herbs, enzymes, etc.)
12 percent-Deep-breathing exercises 10 percent-Participation in prayer group for one's own health
8 percent-Meditation
8 percent-Chiropractic care
5 percent-Yoga
5 percent-Massage
4 percent-Diet-based therapies (such as Atkins, Pritikin, etc.)
I also found it interesting that the people most likely to be a fan of alternative medicine are women (no surprise here), people who are highly educated, those who had been hospitalized recently, and ex-smokers. Additionally, these people were most likely to try alternative approaches to relieve back, neck, head and joint pain; colds; insomnia; stomach problems; anxiety; and depression. But alternative medicine can also be used very successfully to help beautify the skin, alleviate menopausal symptoms, promote weight loss, protect your heart and boost your energy levels.
But far beyond treating specific concerns, alternative healing modalities and supplementation are essential for enhancing your overall health. That's why supplementing with a good, high-quality multinutrient is so critical.
There?s No Arguing with Common Sense
"Many conditions are not easily treated with conventional medicine," explains Richard L. Nahin, a senior adviser at NCCAM. He then added, "It may be the public is turning to complementary and alternative medicine because it's not getting relief from conventional medicine." I couldn't agree more.
Finally, the future of medicine is available today. And it's the kind of medicine that makes the best treatments available to people, regardless of whether the options are categorized as conventional or alternative. A truly integrated approach, with emphasis on diet and nutrition, mind-body therapies, and the spiritual aspect of healing is what the majority has asked for. And as a doctor, I am very pleased to be able to bring this type of medicine to you on a regular basis.To find out more about alternative therapies and high-quality nutraceuticals, visit my Web site at drlark.com.
Here's to your health!
Susan M. Lark, MD
P.S. In the July issue of The Lark Letter, I'll give you an in-depth explanation of my philosophy regarding acid/alkaline balance. I also explore sunscreen use and provide you with some safe, effective product options. Plus, my guest author, Caroline MacDougall, will talk about delicious, natural, caffeine-free alternatives to tea and coffee. If you are not a subscriber and you would like to receive this issue, be sure to subscribe by July 8, 2004 by calling 877-437-5275 or clicking here. You don't want to miss it!
Balancing Your Chakras
Today's medicine balances the traditions of the East with those of the West. And one of the basic tenets of Eastern medicine is to balance the flow of energy or "chi" in the body. Many centuries ago, the yogic tradition of ancient India identified the presence of seven spiritual-energy centers in the body, which they referred to as chakras. These correspond to different parts of the body: The 1st chakra, located at the base of your spine, corresponds with large intestines, hips, and thighs, and is connected to the concept of survival and security. The 2nd chakra is located midway between your pubic bone and navel and corresponds with your ovaries, kidneys, and bladder. It is also the center of your sexual relationships with others. Your 3rd chakra is located between your navel and the base of your sternum and corresponds with your adrenal glands, liver, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. This chakra is responsible for feelings of personal power, as well as strong emotions like anger and greed. The 4th chakra is located in the center of your heart and corresponds with the thymus, your master immunity-regulating gland, as well as your heart, lungs, and breasts. All of your issues regarding love and nurturance reside in this chakra, influencing how you feel and express love. The 5th chakra is located at your throat and corresponds to your thyroid and vocal cords. It is associated with communication, self-expression, inspiration, and creativity. The 6th chakra, known as the "third eye" chakra, is located at the point where your eyebrows meet the bridge of your nose. It corresponds with your hypothalamus and pituitary gland (the master glands of the brain that regulate all of your endocrine glands), as well as your eyes, ears, and sinuses. It is associated with intuition, imagination, psychic abilities, and clarity of thought. Finally, the 7th chakra is located at the top of your head and corresponds with the pineal gland and brain, and is associated with the spirituality and your connection with God.
The energy that flows through your chakras is very strongly tied to your emotions and is deeply affected by your personality, habits, eating patterns, level of physical activity, spirituality, and even hobbies. Energy imbalances or blockages can lead to health problems, both physical and emotional. The following exercise will help to balance and reenergize your chakras, as well as make you more conscious of your energy fields as you flow the energy throughout your body. At the end of this exercise, you should feel more vital, with your chakras freshly recharged and balanced.
1. Sit comfortably in a chair with your arms resting gently at your side.
2. Pay attention for a minute or two to your breathing as you begin to inhale and exhale slowly and deeply.
3. Now visualize a deep pool of bright red energy below you, running hundreds of feet beneath the earth.
4. As you take a deep breath, begin to feel that bright red energy slowly flowing into your feet and rising up your legs. As this energy fills your legs, you may feel a slight weight or fullness. You may also see with your inner eye the blocked areas or areas that are dark or muddied energy in your legs begin to melt away and disappear.
5. Next, let this bright red energy flow into your first chakra, filling your thighs, hips, and lower pelvic region.
6. As the first chakra becomes full, allow the excess energy to flow out of the chakra and back into the earth like the cycle of life itself.
7. Now, with the pool of radiant energy beneath your feet, change the color into a bright orange, then yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet as this energy continues to move up through your body, feeding and nourishing each chakra and its associated organs and tissues.
8. Let it flow out of each chakra, back into the earth.
9. When the color violet reaches your 7th chakra, it should flow out of the energy center on top of your head.
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