What do we understand by natural therapies and how to use them safely
Andrea Pérez |
Natural therapies, natural medicines, complementary medicines, unconventional therapies ... all these labels refer to Health systems, modalities and practices ーHealing resources, according to the Cochrane group ー such as acupuncture, osteopathy, homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, etc. that are characterized by complement the current model of conventional medicine And for having direct influence on health or well -being and comfort of people. The definition of the World Health Organization (WHO) It is perhaps broader because it includes health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs, including medicines based on plants, animals and/or minerals; spiritual therapies; manual techniques; and exercises whose objective is Maintain well -being, diagnose or prevent diseases.
Posted on 7/06/2022.
Updated by communication
Hifas da Terra 09/19/2022
In Spain, as in the rest of the countries, many of those we know as Natural therapies win day -to -day users, even medical centers, hospitals and specialized centers in Huelva, Seville, Malaga, etc. They already offered acupuncture services in their pain or rehabilitation units in 2005. Also, in some public centers such as Ramón y Cajal Hospital or the October 12 hospital Studies on the impact of REIKI in leukemia and lymphoma patients began.
Natural therapies Observatory
According to Natural therapy observatoriesIn 2007, 12.9% of the population had used some natural therapy and a few years later this figure reached 23.6%, so the trend is increasing. They influence this aspect how professionals have been organized through Professional associations such as Spanish Association of Naturist Physicians (AEM) wave Spanish Federation of Natural and Non -Conventional Therapies (Cofenat), to name two outstanding examples. At the international level, some public systems partially cover these therapies and to a greater extent, include them as Medical specialties inUniversities (Germany), Postgraduate programs (Italy) and Private schools and institutes (Canada or Sweden).
Why are safe accessories to conventional medicine?
As natural therapies treat the entire individual (holism)They use multiple approaches to achieve your goal: heal, cure. This is one of the advantages of natural therapy, which can work with conventional treatment modalities.
New therapeutic options
Thus, patients are offered a much broader fan of therapeutic options, and potentially improve the results of their treatment by addressing aspects that normally does not cover conventional treatments such as: Stress, insomnia, discomfort, bad digestions, nausea, nutritional deficit, etc.Among the best known complementary therapies are acupuncture (integral or complete system) and the yoga (body-mind therapy). This last helps to connect body, mind and breathing with movements and stretching exercises that contribute to physical and mental relaxation.
Other closest examples in origin are Sports Medicine that without a pharmacological approach is also of great help. Doctors also prescribe exercises to their usual patients, especially those suffering from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Specialized diets intervene in the regulation of what enters the body system and what does not. With some restrictions chosen for specific cases, such as the Kosher diet and gluten -free diet.
Clinical results: global satisfaction in relation to parameters associated with the quality of life, rest and certain symptoms.
New reality in health care
The future that is glimpsed in the Use of the Integrative MedicineIncludes multisystemic effects. From pain management, as studied in subjects with military training, adjuvant treatment to cancer patients, and the general promotion of behavior for well -being.In the same way, the Biological therapy with safe natural supplements and with concentrated compounds with demonstrated bioactivity, it is positioned as a tool of interest for prescriber and patient by providing specific micronutrients if necessary and complementing a balanced diet.
What are the most conventional therapies most used
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the US, natural therapies can be classified as:
Comprehensive or complete systems (Homeopathy, Naturist Medicine, Naturopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Ayurveda).
Biological practices (phytotherapy, nutritional therapy, treatments with nutritional supplements and vitamins).
Manipulation and body -based practices (Osteopathy, chiropraxia, chiromassage, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, Shiatsu, Sotai, aromatherapy).
Mind and body techniques (Yoga, Meditation, Kinesiology, Hypnotherapy, Sofronization, Musicotherapy, Art Therapy and others).
Techniques on energy (Qi-gag or chi-kung, reiki, floral therapy, biomagnetic therapy or with magnetic fields).
As we observe in this classification, they are very diverse techniques, some of it very recent, that can complement conventional medicine although for this they are safe, that is, that do not cause injuries or discomfort in the person and that their inclusion in a complementary way does not generate toxicity or negative interactions about treatment.
Scientific evidence
Although new results are yielded year after year, we still talk about a small number of published studies that provide information on effectiveness, especially because we are still very new, especially in the West. However, as indicated in multiple official documents, the absence of demonstration should not always be considered as synonym for inefficiency.
Global satisfaction and better quality of life
In relation to the clinical results of many of these complementary therapies, there is a majority sentence of the users who use them: Global satisfaction in relation to parameters associated with the quality of life, rest and certain symptoms.In this sense, these sensations have been able to contrast at the scientific level. For example, acupuncture, according to published evidence, can be considered a Effective treatment in the control of nausea and postoperative vomiting (derived from cancer treatments) and for Relieve postoperative dental pain. He has also shown positive effects in case of headaches, migraines, chronic low back pain ...
When can complementary therapies be used?
It is important to highlight that We do not talk about alternative therapies, because they do not seek to replace but complement conventional medicine to get where it does not arrive. From these, the best of both professional approaches is used, from modern medical treatment approaches to traditional holistic modalities and eastern origin such as yoga.
Reduction of adverse effects
The complementary use of these therapies decreases exposure to certain adverse effects and complications associated with certain treatments and, as a fundamental part, improves the quality of life of people, especially before chronic conditions. It is recommended that its use is always prescribed by a professional and in knowledge of professionals who have prescribed a treatment, if applied. In this way, we can talk about safe use.
New biological therapy: mycotherapy or use of pure fungi for health
As we have seen in the previous classification, the use of supplements can be considered a biological practice. The Mycotherapy o Use of fungi constitutes a Natural therapeutic system, perhaps still little known, but complementary to conventional and safe medicine, especially if we talk about natural extracts, prepared according to pharmaceutical quality standards and whose developments have scientific guarantees. Like many medicinal plants, fungi have a long tradition, especially in eastern countries, and have been used to improve health for centuries.
Evidence in the use of fungi
Fungi and extract accessories have been studied to play a more central role in natural medicine, in addition to maintaining adequate nutrition.
Active biomolecules
In this case we talk about evidence about the effect of many of their active biomolecules like the beta-glucanos, terpenes, fatty acids of the Omega series, heritenones, erinacinas, gaba... that in high concentrations, they can have a therapeutic effect as different research and clinical studies that we carry out from Hifas da Terra can collect. Numerous bioactive agents of fungi are being extracted and it has been discovered that some of which can be used with conventional treatments today, without interfering with the physiological activity of conventional medicine.
Among the more studied fungi and currently used by health professionals are the following:
It is studied by its anti -inflammatory and phenolic compounds useful in cell oxidation. There is also evidence in use in various chronic conditions, anxiety and sleep disorders.
Cordyceps has been studied by its Energy potential, to treat tiredness and fatigue in people with excess of work. Due to similar properties, it has also been known for its vigorizing effects, among others.
Shiitake has been used for a long time by the Japanese, who are known for having excellent cardiovascular health. In this sense, Shiitake has been studied on issues related to uric acid, cholesterol, etc.
