Chinese Medicine: Keeping the Balance

This type of alternative medicine dates back thousands of years, but is still used all over the world.

    Balance is the foundation of Chinese medicine, which seeks to find and correct imbalances that give rise to illness and symptoms of disease. This alternative medicine dates back more than 5,000 years, with roots in the Chinese philosophy of Taoism. Today, the use of Chinese medicine has spread throughout the world - for example, a recent report showed that in just one year about 3 million U.S. adults used acupuncture as a type of treatment.

The Magic of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy takes over where a spa massage leaves off. This form of alternative medicine can help ease pain associated with cancer, headaches, and fibromyalgia.

    At the end of a stressful week, a relaxing massage might be just what you need. For people coping with injuries or chronic pain, however, massage therapy can serve as a form of alternative medicine, not just a soothing treat. Nearly one in 10 people have used therapeutic massage for many conditions, including stress, anxiety, pain, and sports injuries.

One survey revealed that about 60 percent of those who used massage therapy felt that, in combination with standard medical care, it could improve their health.

Ayurvedic Medicine: An Ancient Treatment for Modern Times

Ayurveda is an Indian medicine system that focuses on balancing all aspects of a person's being.

    Thousands of years ago, healers on the Indian subcontinent began to develop the seeds of ayurvedic medicine, or ayurveda. Meaning "science of life," this alternative medicine system includes many tools and techniques, such as healing with herbs and changing diet or lifestyle, to bring your body and health back into balance.

All About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves penetrating the skin with fine needles.

    The Chinese developed a method of medical treatment using needles to balance streams of energy in the body thousands of years ago. This form of alternative medicine, called acupuncture, is based on a system of energy meridians (lines) that connect vital organs. According to traditional Chinese medicine, points along these energy pathways can be manipulated to correct imbalance, which is the cause of many symptoms of illness.

Lifelong Spirituality

    Margo Johnson was at the top of her profession. A 36-year-old managing editor for a national college textbook publisher, she had achieved many of her goals. From her corner office, she supervised a 60-person staff, which kept her both busy and challenged. But her career had taken her two time zones away from her family on the West Coast and her dating life had evaporated. It was time for a change. She gave two weeks notice, rented a moving van, packed up her belongings, and drove from Texas to Los Angeles to start a new chapter of her life.

Tai Chi: Balance in Motion

This ancient alternative medicine may offer many health benefits, including improved coordination and more restful sleep.

When you think of martial arts, images of experts breaking boards or perhaps Chuck Norris teaching bad guys a lesson may come to mind.