Occidental And Oriental Therapies
Individual cultures have evolved complete medical systems of theory and practice apart from allopathic medicines. Popular Oriental therapies are the TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and Ayurveda. Western systems encompass homeopathy and naturopathy. Not so universal in nature are the Native American, African, Tibetan, Middle Eastern, Central and South American medical systems evolved and practiced by their respective cultures.
Broadly examining the Eastern and Western Therapies would suffice at the moment of which most are covered and should not be a problem when asking for health insurance quotes. To begin with:
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Based on the belief that irregularities in the flow of life force Qi results in maladies, this system of medication involves a mix and match of herbs. The idea being to restore the Qi by balancing the rival forces of yin and yang, which are manifested as heat, and cold, external and internal deficiency excess in the body. The TCM include not only herbal medicines, but also take care of diet, meditation, exercise, massage, and acupuncture. The only drawback that the TCM faces is a lack of standardization and absence of control over quality. Amongst its various medical systems, acupuncture has gained wide following in the West as alternative therapy. Acupuncture works by stimulation of specific points of the human body by inserting very fine needles into the upper layers of the skin and underlying tissues too. This leads to removing roadblocks to the flow of Qi. At times by twisting and turning the needles leads to increased stimulation too. TCM is popular for if the techniques are applied correctly there are virtually no side effects.
Ayurveda:
Probably the oldest medical system in existence, ayurvedic medicine finds wide acceptance in India where it originated too. Like the TCM, ayurveda too is based on the theory that imbalances in the life force known as prana causes illnesses. Three bodily qualities known as doshas if in equilibrium balances prana - usually one of the doshas (vata,pitta and kapha) is prominent and hence balancing of the doshas is unique to each individual. Hence treatments are tailored to each individual case. The treatments involve dietary regulation, herbs, massage, meditation, yoga and internal cleansing either through the bowels or nasal lavage. Use of metals though has led to cases of poisoning.
Homeopathy:
"Like cures like" is the principle applied in Homeopathy developed in Germany. An overdose of a substance causing a malady is taken care of by minute dosages of the same substance. These minute doses work to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms. Treatments though are tailored to individual characteristics of a person, taking into consideration the lifestyles and personality of the person as well as general health and symptoms. The medicines are in the form of small spherical white balls to which diluted substances are added as per prescription. These remedies are extracted from natural sources such as plant and animal extracts or minerals. Marginal side effects occur and hence their popularity.
Naturopathy:
Strong belief in the healing power of nature, this therapy combines dietary and nutritional supplements, herbs, homeopathy, massage, mind-body therapies, counseling and stress management, hydrotherapy for prevention and treatment of diseases. Correct diagnosis and finding out the root cause of maladies with the aim of taking care of the problem in the bud is the guiding principle which has led to its acceptance as a formal health care system in the US.