Sponsored Ads
A New Free Report - What Is Lupus?
This fascinating new report from UK-based publishing house Health Research Today answers some of the most-asked questions about this baffling disease :
- What is the medical definition of lupus?
- What are the symptoms of lupus?
- What tests are there for lupus? How do you get a diagnosis?
Fill in this form and we will send you the report immediately, which you are welcome to send on to friends or family!
Alternative Therapies For Lupus
This article is an extract from the ebook Freedom From Lupus!
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy, or CST, was developed by an osteopathic physician, John E. Upledger. He completed a number of scientific studies between 1975 and 1983 to create a hands-on method to enhance the functioning of the craniosacral system, which is the system of membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
The therapy uses a “soft touch” that is no greater than 5 grams (the weight of a nickel). The touch then releases the restrictions in the craniosacral system, improving central nervous system functioning. This improvement improves the body’s natural healing processes. It is believed that CST can be used as a preventive health measure since it may improve resistance to disease. It helps decrease pain and dysfunction associated with a number of diseases, including lupus.
Doctors who use CST believe it is a useful part of the overall treatment of lupus symptoms. It provides beneficial effects for the autonomic nervous system. It also helps stabilize the immune system, fluid mobility, and benefits the connective tissue.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that works by looking at the whole person rather than just the symptoms or the illness. It was first developed in Germany by Samuel Hahnemann and then brought to the U.S. in the 19th century. In homeopathy it is believed that every person has a vital force energy or self-healing response. It is that response that homeopaths attempt to stimulate.
Using a “like cures like’ approach, a homeopath with give a person extremely small doses of substances that produce symptoms characteristic of the illness in healthy people were it given in larger doses. The goal is to stimulate the body’s defense mechanisms. Homeopathy is tailored specifically to each person so that it encompasses the whole person. It involves looking at the person, their lifestyle, emotional health, and more.
The first visit with the homeopath is fairly long, as an in-depth assessment is completed to determine which homeopathic remedies are appropriate. Most of the remedies come from plants, minerals, or animals. The substances are then highly diluted so that no molecule from the original substance remains, but the remedy will retain healing properties.
Scientific studies are conflicted in their findings. Some studies show no effective results from homeopathy while others studies report positive effects. Still, remedies are required to meet legal standards for strength, quality, purity and packaging by the FDA.
There are few side effects with homeopathic treatment. Some patients have expressed feeling worse before feeling better. Some drugs have higher levels of alcohol, which can have negative results for some patients. Also, they can interfere with some conventional drugs, so you should discuss your treatment recommendations with your physician prior to starting any homeopathic remedy.
Magnet Therapy
Magnet therapy involves using static magnetic fields to promote healing and stabilization of body function. It involves using small magnets places strategically on the body or even under a mattress while the patient sleeps.
There are two different types of magnets used in magnet therapy. There are unipolar magnets, which are believed to have a greater penetration depth, and alternating pole devices. Researchers believe that unipolar magnets are more beneficial in treating problems with deeper tissues and alternating pole devices may have a greater benefit for problems in surface tissue.
There is still little research on magnetic therapy, though there are some theories as to why this type of therapy can work on lupus patients. It is believed that the magnetic fields increase the ion exchange in the blood cells, which then creates an improvement in how oxygen is utilized and improves blood circulation in the targeted area. There is the theory that this improved circulation decreases pain and improves healing. Still, until further studies are completed, much of the medical community remains skeptical as to the benefits of magnet therapy.
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Lupus!
© Health Research Today
