Alternative Medicine

João Silva nº19João Félix nº20

Introduction

We will talk about some subjects of alternative medicine, like acupucture, phytotherapy, aromatherapy, massage, physiotherapy and reflexology.

Their grip and benefits.

AromatherapyThis kind of therapy uses volatile plant materials,

known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health.

Some essential oils such as tea tree have demonstrated anti-microbial effects demonstrating efficacy against bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.

Applying method: it could be in a specific environment, inhalation or topical applications (massages, baths, therapeutic skin care)

The inhaled aroma from these "essential" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing.

Massage

Is the manipulating of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques.

Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure.

Structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids.

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy is a health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention.

PhitotherapyIs the study of the use of extracts from natural

origin as medicines or health-promoting agents.

The quality of crude drugs or plant medicines depends upon a variety of factors, including the variability in the specie of plant being used.

Ex.: morphine and tea plants.

Reflexology Involves physical acts of applying pressure to the feet,

hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion.

It is based on what reflexologists claim to be a system of zones and reflex areas that they say reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands, with the premise that such work effects a physical change to the body.

A unifying theme is the idea that areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can improve health through one's. Reflexologists divide the body into ten equal vertical zones, five on the right and five on the left.

Acupuncture Treats patients by manipulating thin, solid needles that

have been inserted into acupunctures points in the skin.

Researches indicates that traditional forms of acupuncture are more effective than placebos in the relief of certain types of pain and post-operative nausea.

Acupuncture it’s based in five elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood.

Each element corresponds a particular part od the human body.

The fire corresponds the heart.

The earth corresponds the stomach.

The metal corresponds the lungs.

The water corresponds the kidneys.

The wood corresponds the liver.

Conclusion

Give some idea of what is alternative medicine and what it does.

To publizice their benefits, way to proceed, materials and components used.