Complementary Therapies
Tina Gilson
August 14, 2025
To follow up on my column on integrative medicine, I thought I would expand on a few of the most common complementary therapies. This is by no means meant to be taken as medical advice; this is strictly informational. Always consult your medical provider if you want to explore modalities outside of their treatment plan.
Clients often come to me for Reiki when they are seeking to add to their medical care. Reiki is a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel universal energy into the client, usually by placing hands on the client, to activate the natural healing process and assist in restoring physical and emotional well-being. It works with your body's chakras, or energy centers, removing blocks and imbalances.
Other energetic techniques include Qigong, Prana, and Therapeutic Touch. Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields or alternating current or direct current fields.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate nerves, muscles, and tissues. It is believed to help regulate the body's energy flow, known as Qi, and promote natural healing. It is often used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions.
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique to take attention and awareness away from actively (inking achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. This is sometimes guided for those with overly busy minds; others simply learn how to quiet the mind and be still without thought at all. This has been shown to lower blood pressure and have other calming benefits.
Ayurveda, which literally means "the science of life", is a natural healing system developed in India. It places equal emphasis on the body, mind and spirit,with the intention to restore innate harmony of the individual. Some Ayurvedic treatments include diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, exposure to sunlight, and controlled breathing. Most Ayurvedic medications consist of combinations of herbs and other medicines, so it is essential to discuss them with your physician prior to consumption to avoid any potential toxic reactions/interactions.
Biofeedback is a type of mind-body therapy. Using feedback from a variety of monitoring procedures and equipment in real-time, biofeedback helps individuals learn to control bodily functions that are usually automatic, such as heart rate, muscle tension, and skin temperature. The feedback on these physiological responses helps individuals learn to consciously influence and control them. Biofeedback can be used to manage a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, headaches, and chronic pain by learning to controlårtain involuntary body responses, such as brain activity, blood pressure, muscle tension and heart rate.
Manipulative and body-based therapies involve hands-on techniques to treat the body's structures and systems, including bones, joints, soft tissues, and circulatory and lymphatic systems. These therapies are based on the idea that the body can heal itself, and that physical manipulation can help restore balance and function.
Chiropractors focus on the relationship between structure and function, primarily of the spine, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach used to release restrictions in the craniosacral system. Massage therapists use various techniques to manipulate soft tissues, promoting relaxation, pain relief, and improved circulation. Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet or hands, believed to correspond to different organs and systems in the body.JIf you want to add to your wellness plan, further research on these topics might be warranted.
Sacred Spirit Wellness is located at The Healing Hive, 21 Barton Street in Bradford, VT.hey can be reached via email atácredspiritwellness1@gmail.com, on their Facebook page or sacredspiritwellness.com
Clients often come to me for Reiki when they are seeking to add to their medical care. Reiki is a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel universal energy into the client, usually by placing hands on the client, to activate the natural healing process and assist in restoring physical and emotional well-being. It works with your body's chakras, or energy centers, removing blocks and imbalances.
Other energetic techniques include Qigong, Prana, and Therapeutic Touch. Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields or alternating current or direct current fields.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate nerves, muscles, and tissues. It is believed to help regulate the body's energy flow, known as Qi, and promote natural healing. It is often used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions.
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique to take attention and awareness away from actively (inking achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. This is sometimes guided for those with overly busy minds; others simply learn how to quiet the mind and be still without thought at all. This has been shown to lower blood pressure and have other calming benefits.
Ayurveda, which literally means "the science of life", is a natural healing system developed in India. It places equal emphasis on the body, mind and spirit,with the intention to restore innate harmony of the individual. Some Ayurvedic treatments include diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, exposure to sunlight, and controlled breathing. Most Ayurvedic medications consist of combinations of herbs and other medicines, so it is essential to discuss them with your physician prior to consumption to avoid any potential toxic reactions/interactions.
Biofeedback is a type of mind-body therapy. Using feedback from a variety of monitoring procedures and equipment in real-time, biofeedback helps individuals learn to control bodily functions that are usually automatic, such as heart rate, muscle tension, and skin temperature. The feedback on these physiological responses helps individuals learn to consciously influence and control them. Biofeedback can be used to manage a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, headaches, and chronic pain by learning to controlårtain involuntary body responses, such as brain activity, blood pressure, muscle tension and heart rate.
Manipulative and body-based therapies involve hands-on techniques to treat the body's structures and systems, including bones, joints, soft tissues, and circulatory and lymphatic systems. These therapies are based on the idea that the body can heal itself, and that physical manipulation can help restore balance and function.
Chiropractors focus on the relationship between structure and function, primarily of the spine, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach used to release restrictions in the craniosacral system. Massage therapists use various techniques to manipulate soft tissues, promoting relaxation, pain relief, and improved circulation. Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet or hands, believed to correspond to different organs and systems in the body.JIf you want to add to your wellness plan, further research on these topics might be warranted.
Sacred Spirit Wellness is located at The Healing Hive, 21 Barton Street in Bradford, VT.hey can be reached via email atácredspiritwellness1@gmail.com, on their Facebook page or sacredspiritwellness.com
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