In the past few years, alternative therapies have been undertaken by people who suffer from different conditions as an alternative to traditional medicine.
According to the World Health organization, alternative therapies refer to “a set of health care practices, knowledge and beliefs that incorporate the use of medicine based on medicinal plants, animals and/or minerals, spiritual therapy, manual techniques and exercises applied in an individual or group of people, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement of physical and mental illness.” They also refer to “a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system”.
Among the rarest alternative therapies are:
Urine therapy: Those who recommend and practice such therapy ensure that it helps prevent some of the deadliest diseases, such as diabetes and heart conditions.
Rebirthing therapy: this type of therapy consists in a series of breathing exercises and meditation that simulate the womb. Once you are at that stage, your body can heal its physical and psychological wounds.
Cryogenic therapy: this therapy is used for relieving pain and enhancing sporting performance. It consists in immersing the body at a temperature of 85 degrees below zero, in order to give it a shock that leads to the liberation of hormones that protect the immune system.
DNA healing therapy: this therapy helps eliminate the emotional blockages that, according to its promoters, are in the DNA and can cause emotional problems or predisposition to alcoholism or cancer.
Psychic surgery: its results have never been proven, but this therapy has become very popular in places like Brazil and The Philippines. This therapy involves incisions without anesthetic in order to remove tissues or elements from the body.
Leech therapy: this is all about letting leeches do their work. According to this therapy, when leeches are sucking your blood, they release enzymes that can detoxify it.
Snake massage: those who undergo this therapy say that snakes can touch and stimulate certain areas of our body that cannot be reached through traditional massage.
Beer spa therapy: this therapy consists in taking beer baths that will nurture your skin and relieve stress, due to its high content of vitamin B.
Bee stings: bee venom is considered appropriate to treat illnesses such as arthritis and rheumatism, due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Biomagnetic therapy: through this therapy, people aim to restore balance in their magnetic energy system, considering that the imbalance of these points can lead to different types of illnesses.
Alternative therapies are followed by many people in different parts of the world, and some traditional doctors support some of these therapies. However, their efficacy is still unproven. Therefore, our recommendation is not to use them to replace treatments that are scientifically proven.
- Cryogenic therapy is used to relieve pain through:
- Cold temperature
- Heat
- Earth
Question: a
Level: Intermediate
- Which of the following insects is used in alternative therapy to relieve pain?
- Mosquitoes
- Ants
- Bees
Question: c
Level: Easy
- What is the name for the alternative therapy that involves magnetic energy?
- Biomagnetic therapy
- Meditation
- Electromagnetic radiation
Question: a
Level: Easy
- Which of the following liquids are used in alternative therapies?
- Saliva
- Sweat
- Urine
Question: c
Level: Intermediate
- Which of the following animals can provide wellbeing as it sucks the patient’s blood?
- Leech
- Bat
- Snail
Question: a
Level: Medium
- Beer spa therapy to relieve stress consists in:
- Drinking 12 cans of beer a day
- Taking beer baths
- Massage performed with beer bottles
Question: b
Level: Medium
ALFA