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HOLISTIC GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ACUPUNCTURE: A modality of Chinese Medicine that alleviates pain and increases immune response by balancing the flow of vital life force energy (qi) throughout the body. Stimulating points on the meridians that run throughout the body, connecting organs, glands, and systems is believed to open energetic channels and remove blockages and imbalances.
ACUPRESSURE:
Based on the principles of acupuncture, utilizes finger pressure on specific points along the body to treat ailments such as tension, stress, aches, pains, cramps or arthritis.
AIKIDO: Is both a method of self-defense and a spiritual discipline, with the goal being to harmonize one's chi (vital energy) with that of one's opponent, so that the opponent's strength and weight are used against him or her. Many of the moves are flowing and graceful, similar to those of tai chi.
AKASHIC RECORDS: Akasha is Sanskrit for ether, and it is said that within this Etheric state of being, the records of everything is stored, the future, as well as the present, and past.
ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE: The Alexander Technique is a system of reeducating your body and mind, to facilitate proper posture, ease of movement, and attainment of optimum health.
ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE: A term coined in the early 1800's by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, as a synonym of mainstream medicine. Also defined as the treatment of disease by creating conditions that are opposite or hostile to the results of the disease (treating the symptoms). Drugs and surgery are allopathic treatments. It is not a term that allopathic practitioners have adopted for themselves.
A1 AND A2 MILK: From Devil in the Milk by Keith Woodford, "Thousands of years ago a genetically different strain of milk appeared, now known as 'A1 milk'. The original 'A2' milk is generally produced by cattle in Africa, Asia, France and Guernsey. Goat and camel milk is also 'A2". Cattle in other countries generally produce 'A1' milk. There is only one genetic difference between 'A1' and 'A2' milk...However this small difference results in the milk having quite a different chemical - and perhaps physiological - effect", which is, the author writes, that "A1" milk may act as an opiate in the human body.
Studies show that those who consume "A1" milk have a three-fold risk of heart disease over those who consume "A2" milk. Most commercial milk is "A1" milk. Licensed milk producers who have genetically tested "A2" cattle are available in AZ, but can be hard to find.
Goat milk, anyone?
ALTERNATIVE BIRTHING METHODS:
 More and more, American women are looking for an alternative to traditional birthing methods, which include an attending physician, pain killers, epidurals, frequent C-sections and episiotomies.
Intervention-free deliveries are not uncommon in other countries, but are less common in the American culture.
Alternative modalities that can be incorporated into the birth process include water birth, yoga, acupuncture, hypnosis, acupressure, reiki, and meditative breathwork. Often the woman in labor will be seated, kneeling or squatting, as opposed to lying down. A quiet, darkened room with soothing music or chanting may be part of creating an ambiance of peace in which to welcome the newest winner of the Lottery of Life!
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: Any of numerous modalities that are considered pathways to healing, and that are not usually included in traditional allopathic medical scenarios, are not taught widely at medical schools, are not available in hospitals and do not "satisfy the standards" of the orthodox medical community. The term "alternative" is often replaced with the term complimentary medicine, as a modality begins to be accepted by allopathic practitioners, and is integrated into the fringes of treatment schedules.
But consider this: So called "alternative" practices, such as botanical medicine, acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine and faith healing have been the first choice for men and women for thousands, and in some cases hundreds of thousands of years, (and still are in many places) predating "traditional" medical protocol... which begs the question...which tradition is the true "alternative" and which is truly "traditional"?
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Holistic Living