Western medicine breakthroughs in the 21st century are simply phenomenal. In just a few months, pharmaceutical companies created vaccines for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has driven the world into a pandemic. But despite such medical advancements, there are still many people who believe or, at the very least, want to experience the therapeutic properties of alternative healing modalities passed on for generations and practiced for hundreds of years.
There are several traditional and exciting therapeutic techniques still being practiced by a lot of people and cultures today. Thus, you may find it difficult to pick the best option. You may be one of those who want to get a taste of these unconventional practices but have no idea which of them to try. In that case, it pays to determine what aspect of your health you need to restore or heal.
Below is a guide on choosing a healing modality that’s right for you based on five common problem areas.
- Social
For many individuals, their primary source of happiness is their deep relationships with their community, friends, and family. So when strict social distancing protocols were put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were people who developed deep sadness and depression because they missed connecting with their loved ones and community.
Here are two healing modalities that may help ease the pain of social distancing:
- Astral projection is a practice that may allow you to achieve an out-of-body experience. When you perform it properly, you may be able to separate your soul or spirit from your body intentionally. For many, the question to ask is not what is astral projection, but what can this esoteric technique do to address a person’s need for connection?
In the astral plane, your soul can wander off to different places, so you can visit your family and loved ones even if they’re hundreds of miles away. Since this practice is done consciously, perhaps you can even ask your friends from far away to meet you in the astral plane. Attaining astral projection may be difficult, but it’s not impossible.
- Pet therapy, also called animal-assisted therapy, is a healing modality that may help improve self-esteem, develop social skills, and increase interactions with other people. Aside from cats and dogs, you may pick other animals like guinea pigs or even fish to use in this healing method.
- Physical
Popping pills into your mouth isn’t the only solution when you feel there’s something wrong with your body, especially when it comes to pain and skin problems. In many cases, taking too much medication may even spiral into drug dependence. If you’re suffering from minor discomforts or feeling tired after a long day at work, you can try alternative modes of healing to help restore your energy and give you strength to face the new day.
- Massage therapy has long been used to improve minor aches and improve general wellness. To boost the positive effects of massage techniques, you may use special oils such as peppermint to invigorate the spirit, lavender to ease tension and stress, and even CBD oil to help improve skin problems.
- Acupuncture is an ancient, meridian-based healing modality that involves inserting thin, sterile needles into precise points on your body to promote natural energy flow known as chi or qi. Supporters of this healing technique believe that it may help alleviate many illnesses including allergies, anxiety, pain, hormonal imbalance, and even depression.
- Emotional
Emotional health is one of the most overlooked aspects of wellness. A lot of people are too preoccupied with their physical health without realizing that many severe conditions may develop because of emotional problems like unhealthy relationships, discontent, and loneliness. To improve your emotional well-being, you may want to try these healing modalities:
- Reiki is a Japanese technique that uses touch therapy to promote universal energy healing. This alternative method has been touted to aid the body’s natural healing process and help in boosting relaxation, improve sleep, ease emotional stress, and enable people to deal with emotional issues.
- Meditation is another ancient practice aimed at relaxation and self-introspection. This mindfulness practice may allow you to enter a deep state of relaxation, so you can get rid of negative feelings, wipe away fear and self-doubt, free your mind of toxic thoughts, and help you discover your true self.
- Mental
Mental wellness is one aspect of holistic health that often overlaps with other practices, particularly emotional modalities. However, it’s worth noting that emotional health is usually about your daily feelings or mood. Meanwhile, mental health goes much deeper because it could affect cognitive abilities and sometimes even brain functions. So dealing with mental issues may require a more consistent and lifelong alternative therapy.
- Hypnotherapy, more commonly known as hypnosis, is a healing modality that uses intense concentration and guided relaxation to achieve a state of trance. Practitioners believe that hypnosis may help in easing pain and combatting the effects of radiation and chemo treatments. This method may also help treat mental health problems, including phobias, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.
- Biofeedback is a noninvasive therapy that teaches people to alter involuntary bodily processes, such as their heart rate and blood pressure, to improve mental and physical health. This technique involves auditory or visual feedback to let people recognize and control the symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.
- Spiritual
Spiritual wellness may overlap with faith and religion, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you have problems achieving harmony between your inner self and your surroundings, you may try spiritual healing modalities that deal with balancing energy to promote good health.
- Qigong is an ancient healing modality that focuses on qi or energy flow. This method uses movement, controlled breathing, and meditation to promote healing both physically and spiritually. Some believe that Tai Chi is a type of Qigong that focuses more on physical well-being and is considered by many as martial arts. Meanwhile, some types of Qigong are geared toward promoting spirituality through the proper management of qi.
- Crystal therapy is another type of healing through meditation. What makes it unique is the use of semi-precious stones like amethyst, opals, and natural crystals as a medium for natural healing by stimulating the body’s energy points. Some believe that even wearing crystal jewelry may be able to reinvigorate a person’s energy for better spiritual health.
Bottom Line
There are many types of healing modalities to choose from. To find which one’s right for you, you’ll need to determine which area of wellness you need to address. These areas include social, emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual aspects.
