Reflexology
Aromatherapy
Contrary to what you might think, aromatherapy isn't just about burning lovely smelling oils - the practice covers using essential oils of herbs and plants in different therapeutic ways, including massage, inhalation and even topically.
Aromatherapy does not make any claims to cure illnesses, but it can help to relieve symptoms in a range of conditions. If you decide to treat yourself, you'll probably use oils that can be inhaled, either with a burner or a vaporiser, or added to bath water. Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils can also be used neat on the skin or added to a cream base to treat a variety of conditions such as acne or eczema, but it's advisable to test for any reaction on an inconspicuous area of skin first.
If you visit an aromatherapist, it's more than likely to be for a massage-based treatment. The therapist will ask you questions to help her decide which oils are best suited for you, and your particular needs, and then mix them into a carrier oil which dilutes the oils and makes them easier to massage with.
There have been studies which have looked into whether aromatherapy is an effective treatment for different ailments - some have looked at the outcomes of different oils and aromatherapy techniques on a variety of diseases and conditions, including the quality of life of people with cancer.
In 1998 a small UK study investigated the effects of aromatherapy in 58 cancer patients. Most of these were women with breast cancer who were suffering with feelings of stress, anxiety, depression and fear. Each patient had six aromatherapy treatments, and at the end of the study every single one of the patients showed a significant improvement in these negative feelings.4
Summary
- Complementary therapies don't claim to cure illnesses but can help alleviate symptoms
- Reflexology involves stimulating energy flow through pressure points on the foot
- Acupuncture involves inserting needles into areas on the body to unblock energy flow.
- Acupuncture is one of the five major holistic therapies according to House of Lords Select Committee. (The others are chiropractic, herbal medicine, homoeopathy and osteopathy)
- Aromatherapy uses essential oils in massage and inhalation to help treat a wide range of symptoms.
References
- Kite SM, Maher EJ, Anderson K, et al.: Development of an aromatherapy service at a Cancer Centre. Palliat Med 12 (3): 171-80, 1998. [PUBMED Abstract]
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