The Internet is assailing us with alternative medical treatments with a Thesaurus of new terminology complementing many traditional formats. Classical forms of alternative/complementary medicine include Acupuncture, Biotherapy/Biological Therapy, Chiropractic, Energy Therapies, Magnetic Field Therapy, Reiki, Therapeutic ‘Healing’ Touch, Herbal Medicine, Yoga, Ayurvedic, Holistic, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Biofield Therapy, Bioelectromagnetic therapy and more! This list does not include Faith Healing, Shamanism and many other alternative forms.
“Many chronic diseases are incurable, medication only controls the symptoms”
With a warm climate, ethereal tropical countryside and extensive coastline Thailand is well equipped to help body, mind and soul recuperate from stress and conditions created by our modern, commercial lifestyle. Whilst you could just escape to a simple island or the highlands and live simply off the land, Thailand also offers a vast range of natural health treatments offering either an alternative or to complement medical procedures and care. The choice is vast and incredibly varied. Some are quite far fetched whilst others offer excellent alternatives to traditional medication. Some variants are included in this post and I will be researching some in more depth.
Acupuncture – is a key component in traditional Chinese Medicine. Having been practiced for more than 3,000 years. It improves the circulation of blood throughout the entire body, this oxygenates the tissues, facilitating a metabolic process and eliminates waste chemicals. The calming nature decreases the heart rate, balances blood pressure, relaxes the muscles and improves sleep quality. It is a traditional practise that can be a powerful treatment to reduce stress, depression, improves emotional health and strengthens the effects of other treatments. Acupuncture is widely practised throughout Thailand in hospitals, clinics, spas and specialised Chinese Medicine clinics.
Biotherapy – is a treatment to stimulate and restore the ability of our immune system to fight infection and disease. Also called biological therapy or immunotherapy, Biotherapy covers any form of treatment that uses the body’s natural abilities of our immune systems, fighting infection or disease and also to protect the body from side effects of some treatments. The body naturally produces substances called biological response modifiers (BRM’s), generally in low levels in response to infection or disease whilst high levels can only be created in a laboratory. Biotherapy is a proven therapy having been successfully applied for more than 50 years. Now growing in Thailand with the creation of a new centre in Krabi, Biotherapy can strengthen the Immune System to make the body heal itself.
Ayurveda – Again a historical method of alternative healing with its roots coming from the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda treatment first requires a diagnosis, usually from a Doctor located within the clinic. Treatment can usually start immediately and the general aim is to building a healthy metabolic system maintain good digestion and excretion through treatments, yoga, meditation and diet. The primary concept of Dinacharya states that natural cycles or waking, sleeping, working, meditation etc are important for our health. Ayurveda & Yoga retreats in Thailand.
Oriental Medicine – Also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine, is an ancient form of medical treatment that employs a deep understanding of nature’s laws and patterns and applies them to the human body. TCM includes many different practices and is rooted in the original philosophy of Taoism bating back more than 5,000 years. Based on the view that humans are microcosms of the surrounding universe, connected with nature and subject to it’s forces. The human body is an organic entity in which organs, tissues and other parts each have specific functions but all are independent.
TCM diagnostics focus on disturbances of qi or vital energy and are made by observing (especially the tongue), hearing/smelling, asking and palpating, especially the pulse. The Eight Principles are used to analyse symptoms and to categorise conditions of: cold/heat, interior/exterior, excess/deficiency and Ying/Yang. The Five Elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood each correspond to a specific organ or tissue and demonstrate how the body works. Treatments are highly individualised and can include acupuncture, herbal formulations, acupressure, qi gong, oriental massage and tai chi. The main principal of TCM is the doctrine that the cause of illnesses must be treated, not their symptoms.
Health Resorts– There is a plethora of Health & Wellness Resorts throughout Thailand, in the cities, in the inland countryside and also all along the coasts. These resorts offer a vast checklist of alternative/not invasive treatments. Many concentrate on body and mind combining detox, diet and exercise with yoga as one of the main forms. The key is the length of time that you can stay! In Europe the traditional Spa discipline of for 3 weeks to enable the body to adept to and accept the changes. Health Resorts are generally not cheap but do offer high quality and holistic opportunities to improve body, mind and soul.
