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Glossary of Terms
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Acupressure: Part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, often called “acupuncture without needles.” The practitioner applies pressure to centers along energy channels in the body to activate, balance, or drain excess energy in the body.
Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese technique based on the belief that life energy flows through channels in the body known as meridians. Thin, solid needles are inserted at “reflex points” along these meridians to stimulate, disperse, and/or regulate the flow of this “chi.” The goal is to restore a healthful energetic balance as well as to treat acute, chronic, and degenerative conditions.
Alternative medicine: This term was originally coined to describe health care approaches not taught in medical schools. It has been replaced with “complementary medicine” since Americans rarely use these approaches to the exclusion of Western, conventional medicine. Integrative medicine refers to the proactive, deliberate combination of conventional and complementary therapies.
Aromatherapy: The therapeutic use of fragrances and “essential oils” (the volatile oils distilled from plants), to improve the health and balance of body, mind and soul. For example, this technique is used to relax the nervous system, to stimulate circulation, lift depression, reduce inflammation and ease aches and pains.
Ayurvedic medicine: A part of the East Indian system of healing that includes yoga, Ayurvedic tradition treats illness as an imbalance among the body’s systems. This practice addresses an individual’s unique constitution using nutrition counseling, herbal therapies, rubbing oils, massage, meditation, yoga and lifestyle changes.
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CAM: An acronym that stands for Complementary/Alternative Medicine, used by researchers, academics and health professionals to refer to complementary medicine.
Chinese Medicine, Traditional: An ancient healing system that views the body as an integrated whole, so problems in one area are seen to affect other areas. It bases diagnosis on an individual’s pattern of symptoms and signs such as pulse, and skin and tongue condition. Therapies like acupuncture and herbal remedies are used to rebalance the forces within the body.
Complementary medicine: Various “alternative” practices such as meditation, homeopathy, massage, etc., that are not usually considered part of traditional Western medicine. They are most often used in conjunction with (“complementing”) conventional treatments such as surgery and drugs. This approach also focuses on developing a strong relationship of trust and care between patient and caregiver. Integrative medicine is the combination of conventional and complementary medicine.
CranialSacral Therapy: Work to balance the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to restore optimum functioning to the central nervous system, and ultimately to the entire body. The practitioner uses gentle compressions to realign bones and soft tissue in skull, face, vertebral column and sacrum. This technique is used to relieve headaches, back pain, stress.
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Expressive arts: The use of visual art, crafts, song, dance, movement and other forms of expression to foster personal insights and to access one’s inner healing resources. Instructors help clients break free of rigid, habitual thoughts or patterns in order to discover increased mental understanding, physical awareness and/or greater mobility.
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Guided imagery: An interactive process with a therapist in which patients evoke their own images and feelings as a way of relaxing, focusing their attention and gaining insights into their health concerns. It is used to augment treatment for a range of ailments from chronic stress and high blood pressure to major diseases like AIDS and cancer.
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Healing: As opposed to “curing” of a disease, healing is seen as a return to wholeness of body, mind and spirit. Healing may or may not include a cure; its focus is restoring balance. Healing can be physical (disease), emotional (relationships), and spiritual (a realignment with one’s true nature).
Health: A state of dynamic balance among body, mind and soul. It is a sense of wholeness and an attitude of well-being.
Herbalism, Chinese: One element of Traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body as an integrated whole of body, mind and spirit. Medicinal herbs derived from plants and animals are used to rebalance the life energy within the body.
Holistic medicine: A treatment approach that considers the person as an integrated whole—body, mind and soul. Thus optimum health involves all three elements and their care.
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Integrative bodywork: A variety of massage therapies, bodywork techniques and energy therapies used to assist the healing process. Techniques include Swedish, Thai, deep tissue and lymphatic massage therapies; CranialSacral, breathwork and Feldenkrais, bodywork techniques; Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and Jin Shin Jitzu energy therapies.
Integrative medicine: Combines conventional Western medicine, which primarily investigates and treats physical symptoms, with complementary practices, which also include the inner healing processes of mind and spirit. Treatment plans offer personalized approaches, e.g. combining surgery and medications with imagery, nutritional supplements and lifestyle counseling.
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Labyrinth: An ancient mystical tradition for walking meditation with varied configurations of winding paths, all of which lead to the center and back out again. The idea is to trust the path and to relinquish control. The process of slowing down and reflecting is said to foster insight, clarity and peace of mind.
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Massage therapy: General term for a range of manual approaches to enhance relaxation, elevate mood, reduce blood pressure, decrease pain and heighten immune responses. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating a person’s muscles and other soft or connective tissue.
Meditation: A range of practices that involve training one’s attention or awareness so that body and mind can be brought into greater harmony. The stilling of one’s thoughts in a variety of practices such as sitting or walking mindfully, which stimulates the “relaxation response” and supports healing. Goals range from reducing stress or lowering blood pressure to achieving a mystical sense of oneness with a higher power.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A program based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn. Participants learn methods such as breathing, gentle yoga stretches, group discussion and support to reduce physical, emotional and spiritual stresses.
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Nutrition therapy: Counseling on a broad range of topics from food groups and categories to allergies and lifestyle change to vitamins and herbal supplements.
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Reiki: A method of Japanese spiritual healing that aims to strengthen a person’s absorption of universal life energy. Practitioners channel Chi to the patient to rebalance and replenish areas where it is depleted.
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T’ai Chi: An ancient Chinese meditative and martial art – often referred to as “meditation in motion” – that promotes mental and spiritual development. It involves slow movements and breathing to improve balance, muscle control, breath awareness and concentration. Used to treat back problems, stress, cancer and other chronic conditions.
Therapeutic Touch: Based on the idea that energy extends beyond the skin into a field surrounding and interpenetrating the body. This therapy aims to re-establish proper energy flow, which allows the body’s innate healing abilities to take over. This technique is used increasingly by nurses to help relieve pain and stress, for example.
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Yoga: A mind-body practice for physical fitness, mental wellness and spiritual renewal, based on the practice of postures known as asanas, breathing and meditation. Classes help participants reduce stress, improve circulation and balance, relax deeply and feel more energized.
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