Improving overall health and wellbeing is at the forefront of most people’s minds, and a natural approach is one way to do so. In celebration of Australia’s only Natural Medicine Week, 23-29 May 2022, we’ve collated a guide to help you understand what natural medicine is, how it works, the different types of natural therapists and therapies available and why it’s so important for Australians.
What are the different therapies of natural medicine?
Natural medicine refers to healthcare practices and therapies implemented by trained, accredited practitioners to alleviate patients’ symptoms via natural methods and materials. Therapies, or types of natural medicine, can be classified into three primary models: Ingestive Therapies, Bodywork or Massage, and Chinese Medicine. Here are some therapies that are used within each: Nutrition Nutrition is all about the food we eat and how it assists us in improving and maintaining our health. Nutritionists consider not only the key macronutrients, like proteins, fats and carbohydrates but also essential micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. They look at how well or poorly you are able to absorb and digest foods and whether you need more support in optimising digestion. In addition based on your individual symptoms, they may recommend carefully selected nutrients to assist in managing your symptoms.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to wellness based on the principle that the body has the inherent ability to heal itself. Naturopathy focuses on assessing the whole person, not just the affected area. The therapy involves a range of techniques including nutritional advice, bodywork and herbal medicines to assist with internal health problems. Naturopaths believe that when we restore or maintain the equilibrium of the body, our immune system is better placed to defend itself against infection and disease.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a part of Chinese Medicine and involves the use of thin needles, inserted into specific points along the body’s energy pathways (meridians) to clear blockages and encourage the flow of energy, or Qi. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for hay fever, depression, facial pain, induction of labour, knee pain, lower back pain, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, and rheumatoid arthritis and tennis elbow.
Remedial massage
Remedial massage is a complementary therapy that aims to treat muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues to promote normal joint function and assist in pain and injury management. Massage is used to locate and repair damaged areas of the body, through applied pressure or movement, to promote the flow of blood and speed up the healing process. If a person has suffered a moderate injury resulting in structural pain and/or loss of function, then remediation may be required to reduce or eliminate pain and help restore the body’s function to normal. Massage therapists may use their hands, forearms or elbows to manually affect muscle tissue, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue.
Why is natural medicine different?
- Natural medicine therapies often take a holistic approach, meaning that a trained natural medicine practitioner will consider the person, not a named health condition. Natural medicine incorporates a combination of therapies with the underlying belief that your body, when given the right support, can heal itself.
- Natural medicine often takes a preventative approach, and many people believe that when we restore and maintain the equilibrium of the body, our immune system is better placed to defend itself against infection and disease
For advice you can trust, always consult an accredited practitioner that is qualified in all their therapies and part of a professional Association.
In 2022, Natural Medicine Week is going digital!
As part of Natural Medicine Week in 2022, accredited practitioners of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) are hosting a number of events across the country. Find an event to attend, watch our practitioner health videos, cook a new healthy recipe or read one of our practitioner blogs online. www.naturalmedicineweek.com.au
You’re invited to Natural Medicine Week
23-29 May 2022. Check out what’s on!
- Learn more about Naturopathy, Nutrition, Homeopathy, Bodywork & Massage, Chinese Medicine and more
- Register for an event – online health workshops, exercise classes, meet a practitioners and herbal morning teas
- Check out the healthy recipes
- Read all about natural therapies in the blog
- Find out about how natural therapies can help with Sleep, Stress + Mood, Aches and Pains + Inflammation, Immunity, Children’s Health, Fertility + Women’s Health, Gut Health and Nutrition
Facebook: @atmsnatmed
Instagram: @naturalmedicineau
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