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 an Integrative Healing Center? What does that Mean?
A: 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 disease specific exercise class which also acts as an informal support group. After class they can go for a massage, stay for an organic lunch or purchase a take home supper. They can take meditation courses, yoga, 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 (Parkinson's and MS specific) and Personal
Coaching are offered.
Islander, etc.)
2. Mind-Body Connections:
specific yoga's.
and worship and healing services
drama, nature, and poetry
3. Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies
4. Manipulation and Touch
myofascial release
5. Energy Therapies (Unblocking or re-balancing your energy force is the goal of these therapies.)
Healing Touch
Reiki
Acupuncture
Therapeutic Touch
Magnet Therapy
Light Therapy
Polarity Therapy