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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing technique based on Taoist philosophy. It involves the practice of inserting needles into specific points on the body with a therapeutic aim, such as to reduce pain or to induce anesthesia. Traditional acupuncturists say the practice unblocks the flow of a life force called chi. Already accepted outside of North America, acupuncture is growing in popularity in the U.S.
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Indian system of preventive health care. According to this system, bodily health is determined by three biological principles called doshas: Vata, which regulates movement; Pitta, which regulates metabolism; and Kapha, which regulates structure. To balance these elements, practitioners use a wide range of techniques, including nutritional adjustment, massage, and meditation.
Biofeedback
The mind and the body have a strong connection. At these medical spas, biofeedback is used to help you learn to improve your health and performance by monitoring certain bodily functions usually considered involuntary. Heart rate and blood pressure are measured with a machine so that you may gain conscious control over them. Biofeedback has been used to treat hypertension and migraine headaches among other things.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Originating over 3,000 years ago, Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM, is an ancient health-care system that attempts to cure illness before it occurs by monitoring changes in Qi, or the body's natural energy flow. TCM encompasses a wide variety of treatments from acupuncture to tai chi to herbal remedies. At these medical spas you will find a variety of techniques.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors combat physical maladies by manipulating the musculoskeletal system to cure disorders and restore health. The medical spa approach to chiropractic medicine encompasses traditional adjustments as well as less aggressive techniques such as aromatherapy massage and stretching. At these spas, you can find chiropractic solutions to a variety of health complaints.
Homeopathy
Following the belief that "like cures like," homeopathy treats symptoms by using small quantities of substances that at higher doses would cause the same symptoms in order to stimulate the body's own defenses. It is a mainstream medical practice in some countries but considered alternative in the U.S. These medical spas offer homeopathy, which can be used to treat asthma, hay fever, migraines, and many other maladies.
Hormone Therapy
The endocrine theory of aging blames decreasing hormone levels for the physical effects of aging. Based on this theory, hormone therapy may include giving hormones or using medications that decrease the level of certain hormones in the body. Various strategies exist that seek to improve youth and health through attention to hormone levels.
Mind/Body Medicine
Emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual factors can affect overall health. The places listed below use techniques such as meditation, guided meditation, self-hypnosis, and self-awareness exercises to help you use both your mental and physical faculties to fight common health problems and the effects of aging.
Naturopathic Medicine
Based on preventive care, naturopathy uses physical forces such as heat, water, light, air, and massage as primary therapies for disease. Embracing the philosophy "first do no harm," naturopathic medicine uses your body's natural healing forces to treat disease. These medical spas have naturopathic doctors that use a variety of techniques ranging from dietary modifications to exercise to acupuncture to minor surgery.
Western Herbal Medicine
It is estimated that one third of American adults use herbal products each year. Herbal remedies are medications prepared from plants and may be sold as over-the-counter supplements, such as palmetto extract and goldenseal ointments. Caution should be taken with herbal medicine as with prescription drugs. Herbalists may be licensed or unlicensed.