The Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) – leader of the natural medicine industry recognises three primary types of complementary medicine: Ingestive, Bodywork & Massage and Chinese Medicine.
But first, WHY choose Natural Medicine?
Natural medicine offers a holistic and integrated approach to your health and wellbeing – it promotes the prevention of disease, rather than trying to treat it after it strikes. Natural medicine offers natural supplements and therapy’s that can assist the body in maintaining a state of health and wellness to promote wellbeing. Understanding modalities, such as Ingestive, Bodywork & Massage and Chinese Medicine, can help people work with their body’s to create an effective approach to their health.
WHAT is Natural Medicine?
Natural medicine refers to healthcare practices and therapies whereby trained natural medicine practitioners treat their patients for illnesses via natural methods and materials.
Clinical practice can be classified by three primary models: Ingestive therapies (including naturopathy and nutrition), Bodywork & Massage and Chinese Medicine, which includes associated techniques like acupuncture.
Ingestive covers any form of medicine consumed by the human body and includes the use of herbs and other plants – including oils and common spices. Many of the therapies have been around for hundreds of years and are often used to balance mind, body and spirit. Depending on the therapy, ingestive medicines may take various forms, including teas, tablets, essential oils, ointments, extracts, sprays and drops.
Ingestive therapies include:
- Ayurveda
- Herbal Medicine
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Tibetan Medicine
Bodywork & Massage encompasses therapeutic techniques involving the body and aims to assess and improve areas of the human physics such as posture, skeletal and connective tissue (fascial) and muscle pain. All massage techniques are considered forms of bodywork and, covering a range of techniques.
Bodywork can take many forms including:
- Aromatherapy
- Bowen Therapy
- Chiropractic
- Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis
- Counselling
- Kinesiology
- Lymphatic Drainage
- Myofascial Release
- Polarity Therapy
- Osteopathy
- Reflexology
- Remedial Massage
- Shiatsu
- Traditional Thai Massage
Chinese Medicine is used to identify, treat, and prevent illness, with the underlying viewing of the human body and the mind as an interconnected energetic system. Chinese Medicine has the longest history of any medical system in the world, originating in ancient China and evolving over thousands of years to become a complete medical system.
Chinese Medicine include:
- Acupuncture
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Chinese Massage Therapy
Want to learn more?
Join ATMS for Natural Medicine Week – a week-long celebration including hundreds of events and special offers, hosted by passionate natural medicine practitioners nation-wide. Find out more about the many different types of natural medicine which could improve your health and wellbeing at www.naturalmedicineweek.com.au.