FAQ
Q: What is the difference between complementary and alternative medicine?
A: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are medicine outside of drugs or surgery. These therapies can range from physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage, reflexology, yoga, tai chi, etc.
Complementary medicine is "both/and" medicine. Treatment would include conventional medicine and add therapies such as massage or tai chi in addition to prescription medicine for high blood pressure for example.
Alternative medicine is generally thought of as something used instead of conventional medicine. Someone might see a homeopath or naturopath.
Q: So, why do you call yourself a Community Healing Center? What does that Mean?
A: Sometimes we use the word "Integrative". It means besides people using conventional therapies with their own doctors, HeartSprings encourages people to use a wide variety of complementary therapies. In preventative care as well as those dealing with chronic illnesses we need to deal with the "whole person". To us that means connecting with their physical body, their soul body (which includes the mind, emotions, and ego) and their spiritual body.
Q: Do you have an example how that would look at your center?
A: Yes, for example someone living with Parksinson's is encouraged to attend our movement group which also acts as an informal support group. After class they can attend our "Tremble Clefs" choir (which encourages vocal work and fun) and then stay for lunch. They can take meditation courses, yoga, have a massage, learn stress management, etc. All various ways to look at the whole person.
Q: Are there philosophies common to alternative and complementary healthcare?
A: Yes, according to Mayo clinics website there are four.
1. Prevention is the key to good health.
2. Your Body has the ability to heal itself; practitioners see themselves as facilitators. Treatment encourages the natural healing process.
3. Learning and healing go hand-in-hand. To the practitioner YOU are the one who does the healing.
4. Holistic care or as we say at HeartSprings, body, soul, and spirit.
Q: Are there different categories for complementary and althernative medicine?
A. Yes, there are five board categories (again listed at the Mayo clinic's website). I have listed the board categories below with what is available at HeartSprings in red.
1. Healing Systems:
ago which includes yoga, herbs, massage, etc.)
stimulate the body's self-healing response)
counseling, etc.) Counseling, Communication Classes,
Exercise (Adaptive).
Islander, etc.)
2. Mind-Body Connections:
Meditation
Integrated Imagery
Biofeedback
Labyrinth walking
- Worship and Healing Service
- Sacred Dance on the Labyrinth
- Laughter Yoga
- Expressive Arts Therapy: Art, music and drumming
3. Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies
4. Manipulation and Touch
myofascial release
Reflexology
- CranioSacral Therapy
5. Energy Therapies (Unblocking or re-balancing your energy force is the goal of these therapies.)
Healing Touch
- Reiki
- Therapeutic Touch
Acupuncture
Magnet Therapy
Light Therapy
Polarity Therapy
Updated January 2012