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A
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient form of oriental
medicine that identifies and clears energy blocks in the body. Although
not currently offered through Asclepeion Center staff, a related service,
Electro Therapeutic
Point Stimulation, is available at the Center. The Center can
provide referrals for traditional acupuncture.
Allergy. An allergy or hypersensitivity is an exaggerated
physical reaction to commonly occurring substances, such as certain
foods, chemicals, pollen, or dust. An allergy may be thought of as
an over functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS
sends out excessive antibodies in response to a substance (an allergen)
that is perceived as a threat that cannot be controlled by ordinary
bodily defenses. Any bodily system, structure, or organ can be involved
in an exaggerated ANS reaction. An allergic/hypersensitive reaction
can create a mind fog one day and cause a digestive upset a couple
of days later . The Asclepeion Center’s Dr.
Helen Tsitouris, a pediatrician, has developed a regimen of diet,
exercise, and homeopathic remedies to address allergies in adults
and children. (See also Allergy
Elimination Technique.)
Allergy Elimination Technique. Allergy
elimination technique (AET) is a gentle, non-invasive approach that
addresses the relationship between an allergy or hypersensitivity
and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Using AET, it is possible
to assesses the allergy, why the hypersensitivity occurs, and then
work to “clear” the reaction, normalizing the nervous
system’s stress response.
AET uses small amounts of allergens (contained within small vials),
combined with gentle biofeedback techniques. It aims to effect a change
in the ANS, normalizing the system and making it stronger and more
capable of supporting health. AET makes use of applied kinesiology
(muscle testing), simple eye movements, breathing patters, color input,
and stimulation of specific points on the patient’s body. Healing
modalities such as CranialSacral Therapy and homeopathic remedies
may also be helpful.
Anodyne. Anodyne is
a non-invasive, infrared treatment for acute and sub acute inflammatory
conditions. This modality is billable through all insurance plans.
Ayurvedic. Ayurvedic medicine, which comes from
a 5,000 year tradition, emphasizes prevention and maintaining health
through attention to balance, right thinking, diet, lifestyle, and
the use of herbs. The word Ayurveda means “the science of life.”
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B
Bradford Peripheral
Blood Assessments (BPBA). BPBA is a functional blood analysis
using computerized images from a high-powered microscope (5,000X magnification)
attached to a computer. This assessment method yields information
on cellular activity, structures, and patterns. BPBA is a cost-effective
way to assess the amount and general location of oxidative stress,
as well as the presence of excessive hormones, enzymes, toxicities,
and other by-products of biological stress. It also helps to determine
the current nutritional status of the cells and to track the effects
of free radicals (which are believed to be tied to accelerated aging,
metabolic dysfunctions, and disease). BPBA may be used in conjunction
with homeopathic remedies as well as nutritional, antioxidant, enzyme,
and immune-support. See also Medical
Microscopy.
Body Mind Healing. Body
Mind Healing is hands on work aimed at ridding both mind and body
of the residual psychophysical effects of a traumatic physical injury
or an experience that was extremely painful, frightening, or sad.
See Body Mind
Healing.
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C
Cotherapy.
See Multiple
Hands-on Therapy.
Chiropractic. This
branch of the healing arts is concerned with human health and disease
processes. Doctors of Chiropractic consider man as an integrated being
and give special attention to the structural, spinal, and musculoskeletal
physiological aspects. Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-surgical science
and, as such, does not include pharmaceuticals or incisive surgery.
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D
Dentistry, Holistic.
This type of dentistry approaches dental health from a whole-body
perspective—evaluating and treating oral health problems in
the context of a patient’s overall health. It draws on nutrition,
homeopathy, naturopathy, and other alternative approaches to ease
such acutely painful chronic conditions as TMJ (Temporal Mandibular
Joint Dysfunction). For more information see Holistic
Dentistry.
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E
Electro
Therapeutic Point Stimulation (ETPS). ETPS is a non-invasive
therapy that uses safe, low-frequency electricity to stimulate the
acupuncture points of traditional Oriental medicine, as well as additional
trigger and motor points. Many patients find that ETPS speeds healing
of injured or stressed tissues, reduces inflammation, promotes relaxation
of muscles, and helps to manage chronic pain. See Electro
Therapeutic Point Stimulation.
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F
Fascia.
The fascia is a three-dimensional, tough, continuous webbing
of connective tissue that binds, connects, supports, and envelopes
the bones, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs. The fascia
has “memory”—retaining the imprint of emotional
and physical trauma. Other factors, such as stress, overuse, lack
of exercise, and disease can also affect the fascia.
The fascia can thicken, harden, and remold—literally “holding
on” to pain and dysfunction. However, through gentle, specific,
often “hands on” manipulations—the alternative healing
therapist can break the grip of tension and pain, allowing the impacted
tissues of the fascia to “let go” of the pain and dysfunction,
returning the fascial structure to a more optimal state of function.
(See Visceral
Manipulation and Myofascial
Release.)
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G
Golden wheat silver water. See Multiple
Hands-on Therapy.
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H
Hair
Analysis. A small sample of hair may be analyzed to identify
vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body, as well as the presence
of any toxic heavy metals.
Heart Rate Variability
Assessment. Heart rate variability analysis provides an objective
assessment of the status of a person’s autonomic nervous system
(ANS) as well as information on general physical fitness. The assessment
of ANS is based on heart rate, which is read through a sensor strapped
to the body, and imaged through a special computer program. See Heart
Rate Variability.
Homeopathy. Homeopathy
is a type of alternative healing developed by German physician Samuel
Hahnemann in the late 1700s and early 1800s .Homeopathic treatment
encourages the body to heal itself. Often, traditional medicine can
alleviate symptoms while not addressing the cause of dysfunction,
and some medical treatments may cause side effects. By contrast, homeopathic
treatments, called “remedies,” are gentle and effective
with few side effects; they are diluted in water and taken from a
dropper at specific times. Homeopathy is derived from the “Law
of Similarity,” an ancient principle which postulates that deviations
from health can be alleviated by very small amounts of substances,
which, in larger amounts, might cause the same symptoms in a healthy
person.
Homeopathic physicians consider each patient’s unique personality,
history, and current medical issues, gathering information about not
only current symptoms, but also the overall state of the body, emotions,
mind, and spirit. See Homeopathy.
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I
Insight Therapy. This
form of encourages clients in crisis, anxiety, depression, or with
other forms of distress to examine the problem with the help and coaching
of a trained therapist. Insight therapy relies on talking through
the problem—and providing a safe place to do so becomes the
primary role of the psychotherapist. Insight therapy is most often
used to address anxiety, depression, and getting through a crisis,
such as a sudden loss. Such physical complaints as headaches and digestive
upsets are also sometimes alleviated through insight therapy. At the
Asclepeion Center, insight therapy may be used in conjunction with
other healing modalities.
Iridology. Iridology is a
diagnostic technique that involves examination of minute structures
in the eye to assess specific health conditions.
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J
K
Kinesthesiology, Kinesthesiology
is the study the mechanics of the muscles. Knowledge of kinesthesiology
is part of several alternative healing approaches, including naturopathy,
physical therapy, Rolfing, and biomuscular feedback.
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L
M
Magnetron. This form
of pulsating magnetic therapy is believed to improve the dilation
of the blood vessels, the partial pressure of oxygen in tissue, and
boost the metabolism and thus degree of energy available to an individual.
Magnetron therapy is used for inflammations, degenerative disorders,
circulatory disorders, fractures, and trauma. The Asclepeion Center
can refer clients for this service.
Medical Microscopy. Medical microscopy is a wellness
assessment tool that makes use of a high-resolution microscope, fiber
optics, and digital imaging technologies to produce computerized images
of blood and other tissues at the cellular level. Trained technicians,
using 5,000X magnification, are able to view cellular activity, structures,
and patterns. See also Bradford Peripheral
Blood Assessments.
Mechanical Link.
Developed by French osteopath Paul Chauffer, Mechanical Link therapy
works to balance tensions in the fascia. Fascia, a continuous webbing
of tissue that surrounds the organs and attaches muscles to the bones
and cartilage, supports stability, posture, flexibility, and movement.
If one area of the fascia system is compressed, restricted, or in
spasm, it may affect other areas of fascia, tissue, viscera, and bone.
It may also affect the circulatory, respiratory, nervous, or immune
systems. The body’s attempts to compensate for the area first
affected, called the “primary lesion,” can cause a chain
effect of “secondary lesions.” Layered conditions, chronic
pain, and general dysfunction can result. Using gentle, hands-on corrective
techniques, practitioners work to identify and alleviate the primary
lesion and thereby ameliorate the chain of secondary lesions in the
system.
Multiple Hands-on Therapy. Multiple
hands on treatment brings a client into an extremely warm, rich, nurturing
energetic environment. Multiple Hands-on Therapy, a form of cotherapy,
was developed at the Asclepeion Center by co-founders Ron Murray and
Martha Bramhall. This approach has emerged as the Center’s anchor
treatment for infants and children. The use of a male/female team
in these sessions allows the child to simultaneously draw on the energetic
strengths of both a mother and father figure. The powerful matrix
of healing energy provided by such cotherapy—also known as the
Asclepeion golden wheat silver water technique—has proved invaluable
for adults who feel they are not moving fast enough in their healing
regimen or feel “stuck” at a plateau in their inner work.
Myofascial Release. “Myo-“ means
muscle and “fascia” is a the body’s connective tissue.
The fascia surrounds the organs and attaches the muscles to the bones
and cartilage. Myofacial release is a healing modality used to assist
in the release of tightness in the fascia. The technique uses slow,
gentle touch, sometimes holding the tissue, or initiating a stretch.
Hand pressure can vary, depending on the amount and kind of restriction
in the body. The therapist then waits for the client’s “holding
pattern” to “give,” indicated by a softening and
perhaps an increase in warmth of the tissue. There may also be indications
of movement of fluid, such as swallowing by the client. Manipulation
may initiate an “unwinding process” noticeable to the
client, or it may be subtle and imperceptible to the client. A successful
Myofascial Release session can alleviate muscle tightness and pain,
restore optimal function and range of movement, in encourage blood
and lymphatic flow, and allow all muscles and tissues to move more
easily.
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N
Naturopathy. Naturopathy is an approach that treats disease
and dysfunction with methods designed to minimize direct treatment
of symptoms and maximize efforts to support the immune system and
strengthen the ability of the body to heal itself. Naturopathy emphasizes
preventive health through stress reduction, adequate nutrition, and
sound lifestyle choices. Naturopathic treatment typically focus on
nourishing and restoring the body’s systems that may be injured,
weak, or under stress. Assessment techniques vary, but the practitioner
may use such tools as iridology
(identification of the presence of disease and dysfunction by examining
minute structures in the eye), live blood cell analysis, applied,
kinesthesiology (a biofeedback technique based on muscle testing),
and dietary supplementation using herbs or vitamins.
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O
P
Physician, Holistic. Holistic physicians treat the whole
person: mind, body, emotions, and spirit. They take the uniqueness
of each patient into account, regardless of how similar the symptoms
may be from one person to the next.
Holistic physicians tend to rely less on medicating the symptoms,
seeking also to uncover and deal with any underlying nutritional,
psychological, or other imbalance that allowed them to develop. This
approach often employs nutritional supplements or herbs—certainly
not disregarding standard pharmaceuticals and medical treatments—but
tending to employ them as a last, rather than a first, resort.
The holistic physician may use several approaches simultaneously and
work to strengthen healthy habits and change unhealthy ones, in order
to create a body environment that supports a natural transformation
from disease to health. This multifaceted approach, sometimes called
“stacking,” could include dietary management, natural
supplements, herbs, cleanses, exercise, medication, and breathing
techniques. It could include interventions from alternative disciplines
such as Homeopathy,
Naturopathy, CranialSacral
Therapy, or Body
Mind Healing.
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Q
R
S
Shadow. The concept
of the human shadow, developed by psychologist Carl Jung, can be helpful
in understanding and healing many psychological problems and even
physical ills. The shadow is the disowned parts of ourselves that—when
as children we were learning to control our impulses and take on social
roles—we inhibited as unacceptable. For example, a little boy
who is belittled for crying may grow up into a man who cannot express
or even feel his own sadness. A little girl, shamed for her fury at
a small bother for ruining her drawing may grow up as a woman who
channels her unacknowledged anger into depression, anxiety, or headaches.
In shadow work, we create a place that feels safe enough to acknowledge
the existence of what was suppressed, without being overwhelmed by
these impulses.
Spiritual direction. “Spiritual
direction, sometimes referred to as spiritual guidance or spiritual
friendship, is an on-going relationship in which one person.. . .,
desirous of being attentive to his or her spiritual life, meets with
another person (the director) on a regular basis (approximately once
a month), specifically for the purpose of becoming more attuned to
God's Presence in order to respond more fully to that Presence in
all of life. The primary focus of the session is the [person’s]
relationship with God as it is reflected and challenged by all aspects
of that person's life.” From The Process of Spiritual Direction,
Shalem Institute, Washington, D.C.
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T
U
V
Visceral Manipulation.
Developed by French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barrel, Visceral Manipulation
is a healing modality that focuses on organs (viscera), their environment,
and their potential influences on physical and psychological dysfunctions.
If abnormal displacement, adhesion, or tone exists within an organ,
the immobility and tension can cause the body’s natural motion
to become obstructed and may lead to imbalances and adverse reactions
in other organs, muscles, bones, fascia, or the body as a whole. The
Visceral Manipulation practitioner uses palpation and specific, gentle
pressures to encourage normal mobility, motility, and tone of the
viscera. Visceral Manipulation encourages the body’s natural
mechanisms to create positive change in the effects of stress and
to increase overall health.
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W
Wellness.
The concept of wellness implies more than the absence of disease.
It includes many elements—eating right, taking care of our bodies,
handling stress well—and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
Maximizing wellness involves getting reliable guidance across several
inter-related areas and the self-discipline to develop a range of
skills. See Wellness
Programs.
X
Y
Z
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