ALTERNATIVE MEDECINES

ACUPUNCTURE: also called Chinese surgery. A technique of applying needles to the body along specific trajectories called "meridians". This method of Chinese origin seeks to rebalance the body’s energies.

AMMA: means "massage" in Japanese. Also called acupuncture without needles, amma is the manipulation of specific points of the body by using different techniques with the hand to stimulate the nervous and circulatory systems. To reach a deep state of relaxation and interior well-being, 148 specific points are used.

AROMATHERAPY: the use of essential oils derived from plants, to treat a great number of known ailments. To be used in massage, by inhalation, bath, and sometimes used orally but with great precaution and only with the advice of a qualified and scientifically trained therapist. This later method is used by some trained doctors in France and Germany. It is good to be aware that there are three methods of Aromatherapy – English, French and German. The most common is the English in North America.

CHIROPRACTOR: Greek word meaning "treatment by manipulation". This method is used to treat articulary problems (most often the articulations of the vertebras) without violence or pain.

CHROMOTHERAPY: rational usage of coloured luminous rays or simply by the use of colors. This method is used to rebalance the body ’ s energies and to harmonize the physical and the psychological aspects. It is often used during asthma attacks, allergies and psychosomatic diseases.

DIGIPUNCTURE: consists in applying pressure on certain meridian points, in order to stimulate or calm the vital energy flow within the body. Only the fingers are used in digipuncture.

FASCIATHERAPY: a new manipulation of the body technique that is concentrated on the fascias, which are the conjunctive tissues which support, surround and protect the bones, muscles and other innards. The fascias have the capacity of contraction which is completely independent and can undergo blockage. The role of the fasciatherapist, (basically a masseur-kinesitherapist) is to locate and mobilize these blockages.

GEMMOTHERAPY: the use of fresh vegetable shoots and embryon tissues in growth. These therapeutic preparations of regeneration and stimulation include a real vegetable embryonic-tissue therapy.

HOMEOPATHY: includes a diagnostic and treatment to stimulate the immune system to allow it to win over disease and bring it back to health. Homeopathy is practiced in many countries and is based on the usage of tiny doses of active substances prepared according to precise methods (dynamisation). This method uses the theory that all substances which are in nature can heal the ailment which is caused by treating the disease by the disease itself.

HYDROTHERAPY: treatment using water. The therapeutic property of natural spring water has been known by many ancient civilizations. Hydrotherapy is one of the oldest methods used for treating different known ailments by using the therapeutic benefits of water in our daily lives.

JIN SHIN DO: therapeutic method which encourages the freeing of emotional and physical tensions. This is a mixture of oriental methods encorportating energy rebalancing, occidental psychology and different psycho-corporal techniques. It is a holistic form of acupressure and touch which finds its source in the heart of the Taoist philosophy.

KINESIOLOGY: method of treatment which consists of repairing the muscular and functional imbalances of the organism. A contact technique designed for repairing the balance of the organism.

LAUGH THERAPY: Laughing is a very particular phenomenon of which the therapeutic value and the unbelievable healing power are unfortunately underestimated. Laughing stimulates our interior pharmacy and brings us deep relaxation. Laughing frees endorphins which are natural substances that fight against pain without the inconveniences of chemical products. Laughing frees the respiratory passages, slows down the heart rate and lowers arterial pressure. It is a natural way to fight against constipation because it provokes stomach gymnastics. It is said that a minute of laugh is worth 45 minutes of relaxation.

MASSOTHERAPY: method of treatment by massage used to improve the physical and emotional states. Massotherapy is used for the treatment of bone-joint, muscular and nervous problems. It is great way to combat stress as well.

CALIFORNIAN MASSAGE: Californian massage is composed of fluid movements, continuous and enveloping with deep effects to free accumulated tensions. It increases the consciousness of the corporal schema. It frees blocked emotions and renders one capable of receiving messages sent by the body. All the physical senses engraved in the body are awakened.

ESALEN MASSAGE: soft massage, slow and intuitive,e aimed at communication by touch. One learns to listen and recognize sensations, perceptions and emotions during a massage session. This global approach, non-centered on a precise manipulation technique, helps one to take conscious awareness of his corporal image and develop intuition.

NEO-REICHIEN MASSAGE: psycho-corporal technique which frees chronic muscular tensions and help to gain back vitality and a sense of pleasure in the body. The massage in given from head to foot, from the center to the peripheries and is centered on specific rings of tension. This painless, smooth, slow and deep approach is accompanied by a conscious breathing which encourages the patient to feel what is going on inside of himself and to express it.

SWEDISH MASSAGE: acts upon the over- and under-skin levels, muscles and the circulatory systems. Swedish massage has many effects, ranging from the elimination of toxins to better nutrition of the skin to deep relaxation. This dynamic and stimulating approach can be applied globally or on specific parts of the body. This is the basic method of massage used by RMT ’ s and Orthotherapists.

NATUROPATHY: a multidisciplinary approach towards sickness and health that is ideal for the prevention of diseases. As a global approach towards health, it uses all the natural factors such as food, water, sun, physical exercise and positive thinking. Used to reestablish our functional balance by helping us over passing our negative emotions, it shows us how to manage stress, get over physical obstacles and bring them to a normal level and it also teaches us that good food cleans up our internal chemistry.

NATUROTHERAPY: includes all natural methods used to treat or relieve a sickness or a disease, whether it is physical or psychological.

ORTHOTHERAPY: technique which consists of balancing morphology and physiology.

OSTEOPATHY: a manipulatory therapeutic system which treats structural and mechanical problems of the body. It treats the frame, bones, articulations, muscles, ligaments and other support tissues. It also increase mobility and system functions for the system by using pressure and soft manipulation.

PHYTOTHERAPY: natural medicine using plants without danger. The plant-based substances stimulate the natural capacities of the organism by rebalancing and purifying, without overworking the organism and without side-effects.

POLARITY: a gentle technique of touch with the aim of rebalancing the vital energy of the body. Polarity uses physical, mental and spiritual forces. These energetic stimulations improve self-healing and aids one in regaining health.

REFLEXOLOGY: uses the existence of relaxation points or reactive zones located in the feet and hands that correspond to every part of the body. The pressure on these points produce 3 principal effects: reestablishing normal organ and glandular functions; blood supply and nerve function are improved; and the most important, the treatment produces a natural state of relaxation.

ROLFING: manipulation of conjunctive tissues with the aim of realizing the structure. Three goals are sought by this therapy: gaining mobility, improved balance, and help to obtain a more comfortable posture.

SHIATSU: meaning “ pressure of the finger ". This is a Japanese traditional form of physical manipulation which consists almost entirely of pressure and stretching. The practitioner works with his palms, fingers, elbows, knees and even the feet to treat acupuncture points situated on the meridians or energetic canals. The equivalent in Chinese medicine is "digitopunture". Shiatsu is safe and efficient, and permits balancing of the energies and strengthening of the vital organs to help maintain health and vitality.