Alternative Treatment

Yoga has become such a popular practice in the United States, and for good reason – did you know that yoga can increase your flexibility, improve your muscle strength and tone, improve your respiration and energy, assist with weight loss, improve your cardio health, help your body better protect itself from injuries, and much more?! Yoga is more than getting comfy in yoga pants (although who doesn’t love those?) – it’s also about finding connection between your mind, body, and spirit. If you’re relatively new to yoga, this is an amazing journey you’re about to embark on. As with any worthwhile journey, however, you want to be sure that you understand the basics of safety so that you can prevent yourself from any injuries while you’re practicing. According to a 2016 study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, approximately 29,590 yoga-related injuries were found in hospital emergency rooms between 2001-2014; most of these injuries were related to populations aged 65 years of age and older, but the fact still remains: no matter who you are, safety is a necessity. Take into consideration the following 5 ways that you could injure yourself doing this practice, and watch out for them:

Our society is certainly one that embraces medication, and it makes sense – if we can take something that will immediately (or very quickly) attenuate our symptoms, why wouldn’t we? The biggest concern with relying on medication for minor ailments too heavily is that it can lead to dependency, such as what is found with the opioid epidemic. Medication can certainly be beneficial, but it’s best to consider what natural, holistic approaches you can take to minor issues such as stress headaches. Pressure points are derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine and have been used for thousands of years to help soothe a variety of ailments. Pressure points are sensitive areas of the body (such as in the hands, elbows, and feet) that can respond very well to pressure that would often be used in massage.

Schizophrenia is a spectrum disorder that affects around 3.2 million Americans. A highly stigmatized disorder, schizophrenia may include disorganized thinking and speech, odd patterns of behavior, hallucinations, delusions, and more. As emphasized by the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA), around 50% of all people with the disorder do not seek treatment. This is often due to fear of stigma, as many people in the healthcare industry still have misconceptions. When selecting a reputable treatment center, it’s important that you find a place where you feel respected and heard. There are many centers that place emphasize on individual experiences – often by providing a wide range of holistic approaches. Music therapy has been a major component of addiction and mental illness recovery for several years now; it typically consists of either lyrical analysis, instrument playing, listening to music, composing music, or something similar. These opportunities provide clients with a sense of grounding and clarification – often giving individuals depth and uncovering of thoughts and feelings that may have been tucked away beneath their addiction or mental illness. Although schizophrenia often required medication to treat symptoms, holistic therapies such as music therapy can be a great addiction to a person’s treatment regime. For instance, a 2013 study with 57 adult females with severe mental illness participated in a 13-week music therapy intervention; results from the study showed that participants experienced increased self-esteem, enjoyment in the music therapy group activities, and a greater appreciation towards therapist sand peers.

Note: If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters. Depression is a serious mental illness that affects nearly 350 million worldwide, and 16 million people in the United States specifically, according to Healthline. Many people don’t get treated for depression, causing them to experience extended pain and suffering such as insomnia, anxiety, anger, hopelessness, isolation, and more. If you’ve been struggling with depression, treatment is possible, and you are not alone. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and holistic activities such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga and more have all been incorporated in many reputable treatment programs to help individuals restore their mind, body, and spirit. Hypnosis has often been misunderstood, as movies and media portray hypnosis as “not having control” and “succumbing to the will of another person”. While this portrayal is often in reference to magic, hypnosis for mental illness and addiction recovery treatment is quite difference. In sum, hypnosis is a powerful, therapeutic technique that can assist a person in reaching a state of consciousness in which they can focus their mind on a particular thought or feeling, or rather to uncover thoughts or feelings that may have been suppressed over the years. As emphasized by the American Psychological Association (APA), hypnosis is safe, and you have complete control – meaning that you can “awaken” or “snap out of it” any time that you so choose. Gestalt therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on an individual’s insight and responsibility to the present moment; gestalt therapists utilize various creative strategies to enhance clients’ freedom, awareness, and self-expression. A 2017 study conducted by researchers from Mexico sought to explore whether or not hypnosis and gestalt therapy were beneficial to those experiencing depression; one group was tested strictly with hypnotherapy, another group strictly with gestalt therapy, and yet a last group to serve as a comparison group. Results from the study showed that both hypnotherapy and gestalt therapy yielded significant improvement to those with depression – meaning that either or both could be an excellent option for treatment. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center today. Depression is treatable – just like other mental illnesses and addictions. Don’t wait any longer to seek the help you need.

Emotions are central to human existence. Happiness, sadness, pain, joy, fear, jealousy, shame, guilt, love, anger and more are all very real, very raw emotional experiences. Many times, however, we don’t always know the safest way to express these emotions – this is what may lead to the development of a mental illness or to an addiction, as some people try to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Whether you’re currently in a treatment program or not, music can serve as a tool to help you express your emotions or even to bring about an emotion that could support a better mindset for your well-being. A 2018 study sought to explore sadness and music – in particular, how people experience crying when listening to music. Eight hundred and ninety-two participants were involved in the study, with two underlying themes: a “sad” class and an “awe” class. Individuals who classified as the “sad” class tended to feel sad, upset, and depressed when listening to music; people in the “awe” class tended to feel euphoric, happy, amazed, and inspired. The research indicated that people more open to experiences found themselves in the “awe” class, while those with high neuroticism (tendency to lean towards negative thoughts and emotions) found themselves in the “sad” class. While it’s true that the way you think has an affect on the way you listen to music, you can use this to your advantage in your recovery. When it comes to mental illness and/or addiction recovery, music therapy can serve two functions: 1) as a tool to help you understand and make sense of what you’re feeling and 2) as a tool to help motivate you and keep you uplifted as you work towards your recovery journey. For example, the next time you’re feeling distressed, play music that calms you and gives you positive emotions. What do you experience? Did you feel that this type of music reduced your distress? If not, try diverse types of music to see what works best for you. Music can be a very healthy form of self-expression and self-exploration – you may even use music as a coping mechanism during tough times. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center to learn more about music therapy and treatment programs that could assist you on your journey to recovery. It’s never too late to seek the help you need.

Time and time again, research has shown that depression causes behavioral and physical symptoms. These often include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, self-esteem, and more. Other physical signs of depression may include migraines, joint pain such as fibromyalgia, digestive problems such as constipation and bloating, chest pain, back pain with tension in the neck, and more – all of which can deeply affect daily life. According to a study published in the journal Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, approximately 69% of people who meet the criteria for depression also experience aches and pains. If you’ve been struggling with symptoms of depression, the right treatment center can help you heal – mentally, physically, and spiritually. A 2015 study published in the Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences sought to explore the effects of massage therapy on students; 30 student volunteers with depression were randomly selected to either massage therapy or regular therapy as a comparison group. Swedish massage therapy – a relaxing, full-body massage involving massage oil and lotions – was conducted on the massage group 3 times a week for 8 weeks, 30 minutes each session. Both the massage and non-massage group were then given depression inventory surveys. Results from the study found that for depressed participants, massage therapy showed significant improvements to their depressive symptoms. As stated by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage therapy can relieve stress, reduce anxiety, manage lower back pain, reduce muscle tension, relieve tension headaches, improve balance, lower blood pressure, and much more. Many reputable treatment programs offer massage therapy that can be completed alongside traditional treatment programs activities. As previous research has shown, massage therapy benefits the mind, body, and spirit. In a relaxing setting, you will be able to release all of the pent up stress, energy, and tension acquired from life’s obstacles. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center to learn more about massage therapy and treatment programs that could assist you on your journey to recovery. It’s never too late to seek the help you need.

The opioid epidemic has led to opioid drug overdose as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors in the brain, sending signals to block pain, slow breathing, and provide a calming effect. For those in opiate addiction recovery, withdrawal symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, depression, drug cravings, and more. Many people who become dependent on these drugs do so in an attempt to further medicate themselves of chronic pain they are experiencing; unfortunately, as their body becomes used to the dosage, it begins to require more and more in order for the individual to achieve the desired effect. As a person recovers from opiate addiction, that pain may become more pronounced as their body begins to feel again. A 2015 study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork sought to find out if Swedish massage could assist in reducing the pain experienced by opioid-dependent patients. Massage therapy has been shown in previous research studies to not only significantly reduce pain levels, but to also enhance relaxation, sleep, emotions, recovery, and the overall healing process. Eighty participants were chosen for a randomized treatment program, to receive either treatment as usual or to engage in Swedish massage therapy for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 50 minutes. Participants from the study reported their chronic pain as an outcome of a car/motorcycle accident, a sports injury, a work-related injury, a fall/accident, partner abuse, a medical condition, pregnancy, or an unknown cause. All participants had tried various remedies for treating their chronic pain. Overall, the researchers found that those in the massage group reported significant improvements regarding their pain. If you’ve been struggling with opiate addiction, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center today to learn of how massage therapy can be incorporated into your treatment.

Recovery, whether from mental illness or addiction, is challenging. You’re letting go of everything you thought you knew about your life and embracing the change that is necessary to become a better version of yourself. There are many factors that can add benefit to one’s recovery: social support, engagement in treatment, utilization of tools learned in therapy, and more. Positive empathy, also known as the ability to share, celebrate, and enjoy others’ positive emotions, is a phenomenon that has been shown to bolster individual well-being. By engaging in positive empathy, you not only strengthen your relationships with others, but you feel more positive and hopeful, yourself.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and ability to carry out daily responsibilities. If you have been diagnosed with BD, you may experience mania and/or depression, depending on the type of BD you have. Mania is often characterized as having heightened energy, feelings of elatedness, a sense of grandeur and more. Depressive episodes involve extreme fatigue, sense of hopeless, sadness, and even suicidal ideation. While many people may address the challenges that are associated with BD, there are aspects of this disorder to celebrate: creativity! BD has long been linked to creativity, but it’s been relatively unknown how this sense of creativity positively impacts those with the disorder. Some past research has taught us that those with BD to a lesser extent have been shown to be more creative than those with severe cases of BD, but many people with the disorder tend to take on creative careers such as those in filmmaking, visual artistry, performing, writing, designing and more. A 2015 study published in Qualitative Health Research conducted focus groups with creative participants who were diagnosed with BD. During the focus groups, the researchers asked several questions, including:

The opioid epidemic has led to opioid drug overdose as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors in the brain, sending signals to block pain, slow breathing, and provide a calming effect. For those in opiate addiction recovery, withdrawal symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, depression, drug cravings, and more. Many people who become dependent on these drugs do so in an attempt to further medicate themselves of chronic pain they are experiencing; unfortunately, as their body becomes used to the dosage, it begins to require more and more in order for the individual to achieve the desired effect. As a person recovers from opiate addiction, that pain may become more pronounced as their body begins to feel again. A 2015 study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork sought to find out if Swedish massage could assist in reducing the pain experienced by opioid-dependent patients. Massage therapy has been shown in previous research studies to not only significantly reduce pain levels, but to also enhance relaxation, sleep, emotions, recovery, and the overall healing process. Eighty participants were chosen for a randomized treatment program, to receive either treatment as usual or to engage in Swedish massage therapy for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 50 minutes. Participants from the study reported their chronic pain as an outcome of a car/motorcycle accident, a sports injury, a work-related injury, a fall/accident, partner abuse, a medical condition, pregnancy, or an unknown cause. All participants had tried various remedies for treating their chronic pain. Overall, the researchers found that those in the massage group reported significant improvements regarding their pain. If you’ve been struggling with opiate addiction, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center today to learn of how massage therapy can be incorporated into your treatment.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has identified drug overdose as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with 20,101 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers and 12,990 overdose deaths related to heroin use in 2015. People all over the United States have been attempting to find alternative, holistic solutions to chronic pain due to the epidemic. Acupuncture is considered a form of complementary medicine used to alleviate pain and to treat various mental, physical, and emotional conditions – as such, it is becoming a more popular tool for both those who want to avoid taking opioids and for those detoxing from them. Many people detoxing from opioids are turning to holistic treatment methods such as acupuncture to assist them in their recovery. A 2016 study published in the Eastern Asian Archives of Psychiatry found that acupuncture accelerates a person’s endorphins and encephalin productions in addition to up-regulating the dynorphin level, suppressing withdrawal at the spinal level. Overall, it was found that acupuncture could assist in depressive and anxiety-related withdrawal symptoms. In general, acupuncture has been known to treat musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain, as well as issues such as nausea, migraines, insomnia, and more. For those seeking a route other than opioid medication for their pain, acupuncture shows promising results; this treatment method has been shown to increase the levels of various chemicals in the body, such as epinephrine, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. An increase in these levels is what contributes to the pain and stress relief that many people report. Although many people are advocating for these benefits, research is still being conducted on the efficacy of this method for the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction. If you are in a reputable treatment program for addiction, however, acupuncture could be an excellent therapy method to complement your treatment regime. If you’re currently struggling with opioid addiction, make the decision to seek help today. By participating in a treatment program, you can develop tools towards living a happier, healthier life.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, nearly 38% of adults in the United States utilize complementary and alternative medicine. These holistic treatment methods include acupuncture, biofeedback, Reiki, naturopathy, meditation, massage, and more. Somatic therapy is a form of holistic treatment that helps rejuvenate the mind and body through both psychotherapy and physical movement. This form of therapy takes the approach that a person’s thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs can influence their physical well-being, while a person’s lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can influence their mental well-being. Many contemporary practitioners believe that the mind and body are of one entity that can be altered by the environment, interpersonal interactions, posture, muscular pain, and other messages received from the body. It is through this communication of the body that we can learn of negative effects on a person’s autonomic nervous system. Somatic therapy helps clients to become more aware of the signals their body is sending them – signs that they need to release tension in certain areas. Several techniques are used during a somatic therapy session to help relieve tension, such as breathing exercises, sensation awareness, physical exercise, voice work, massage, and more. There are many benefits that have been described from somatic therapy, including: