5 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Health and Wellness

Don't fall into the tempting trap of believing that the holidays are a slow time of year and a time to rest and tackle personal holiday planning. By creating a holiday marketing plan, a health and wellness practitioner can ensure a profitable holiday season that carries over into the New Year. Here are five healthy marketing ideas that clients will love and remember.

1. Gift your customers: The holidays are a time for giving, so it's a great opportunity to offer clients and prospective customers a useful reference guide. Consider creating a Holiday Survival Guide with ideas on how to reduce stress and increase health and wellness.

2. Include your customers: People love to share recipes, so consider asking your mailing list and followers to contribute recipes and compile into a useful healthy holiday cookbook. Be sure to add your own favorite recipes as well. Possibly hire a graphic artist to make the cookbook attractive.

3. Spread some cheer: The way to a client's heart is often through their stomachs. A batch of healthy cookies or banana bread along with the recipe and your business card is a nice way to spread some cheer and connect with strategic networking partners.

4. Give back: Attract positive PR opportunities and give back to the community by organizing a health event for donations to a worthy cause. A healthy workout class or cooking demonstration in return for Toys for Tots collections or food pantry items are ideas that would get attention from the media through a well timed press release.

5. Creative thanks: Memorable end of the year thank you gifts to clients is a fun way to show appreciation. Think outside the box with items that would be useful and health supportive. Perhaps wooden spoons emblazoned with a company logo, healthy recipes, meal planning templates, or a basket of healthy samples and coupons.

Wellness Programme Ideas

If you're still looking for ideas on where to steer your wellness programme for this year, here are a few suggestions for 2012 based on what I have found to be successful with participants.

All of these interventions are in line with the key objectives for any wellness programmes which are to provide:

1. A variety of exciting initiatives

2. Motivation towards individual behaviour change

3. Practical advice people can act on right away to help them feel great

As long as you cover these vital areas, your initiatives will be successful. So what's been working well and what could you try for your organisation?

A Healthy Eating Plan for your business

The plan is designed to help staff across the country experience great energy throughout the day. The plan includes ideas for meals, snacks, drinks, restaurant choices and healthy eating on the go. There's also a shopping list and some template ideas for how to design the food routine that works for every individual.

Benefits: Basically, it's all anyone needs to eat well every single day.

Corporate challenge

A popular event is a 5km corporate challenge. We have seen some impressive times from the whole group. Those who took part were elated with their results. Those who came along to support were inspired towards achievements of their own.

Benefits: A fantastic team event that caters for all levels of fitness

Wellness modules for Leadership Programmes

All management and leadership programmes benefit from a wellness component.

Benefits: It's a great opportunity to help staff discover how to get the most out of themselves mentally and physically, personally and professionally. Helps all of your leaders take their performance to the next level.

What You Has to Know about Cellulite Massage

Cellulite massage is a type of massage, which is aimed on cellulite reduction and control, improving the condition and look of the skin in problematic areas, relieving muscle tension and improving overall health. The main effects of cellulite massage caused by stimulation of blood and lymph circulation in problematic areas of the body. Besides, massage stimulates metabolism in the top layers of the skin, resulting in cellulite reduction and lowering the amounts of extra fat. Therapeutic effects of cellulite massage also include elimination of various toxic substances and elements from the body, as well as a great assistance in putting off weight. Finally, cellulite massage stimulates collagen, elastin and protein production in the top layers of the skin, resulting in improving skin elasticity and firmness.

About the most effective natural treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that can be characterized by recurrent abdominal pains, changes in bowel habits and bowel movements, intermittent diarrhea, or, on the contrary, constipation. It also leads to such symptoms as cramping, flatulence, bloating, vomiting, etc.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is very annoying and causes tremendous health damage. IBS can result in weight imbalance, obesity, or malnutrition. Irritable Bowel Syndrome spoils the beauty of your skin and hair and increases the amount of toxic substance in the organism. Moreover, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is often accompanied by such medical conditions (comorbidities), which can occur with different extent of frequency and intensity in IBS patients. They include: headaches, fibromyalgia, depression, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, endometriosis, etc.

IBS most commonly affects people between the ages of twenty and thirty. Women suffer from IBS as twice as often then men. There are different patterns of IBS, which include diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C), IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A). There’s also the so called post-infectious IBS (IBS-PI).

Classifying The Types Of Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine can be defined as any form of therapy, practice or treatment which is outside the mainstream or beyond the realm of the conventional.

More generally it can be defined as any approach or medicine which differs from conventional Western forms. Alternative medicine is often talked about in conjunction with Complementary Therapy and the umbrella term Complementary & Alternative Medicine or CAM is used.

As a general guide some of the more mainstream CAMs are acupuncture, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathy, reiki, reflexology & Yoga.

Alternative medicine in the UK is growing year on year and in 2006 it generated expenditure of 1.6 billion pounds. Large numbers of people choose to seek out alternative forms of medicine subsequent to a diagnosis from their GP or other traditional route. However in the main, research shows that people tend to use CAMs in parallel with conventional medicine. There is often resistance from GPs to recommend or refer a patient to an alternative therapy where they consider empirical evidence to be limited or non-conclusive and the research methods are not always standardised as with traditional medicine. There are also often funding issues relating to onward referrals within the NHS.

However, the CAM sector is responding to this criticism by adopting the standard research methods & evidence provision in line with the medical establishments traditional methods. This is largely assisting with the rapid growth of this multi-layered industry, alongside the continually growing wealth of positive empirical evidence.

Generally speaking CAM's can be organised into five key areas, although it should be noted that there are number of areas where these overlap. These areas are -

Whole Medical Systems (WMS)

WHMS have been developed in the West - often with it roots in other medicine systems. Examples of this type of system are Naturopathy - helping or stimulating the body's own in-built healing system by improving diet & lifestyle in conjunction with other CAMs such as acupuncture and massage. A good non Western parallel to this system is Chinese Medicine as is Ayurveda which hails from India and takes the holistic approach of treating the mind body & spirit via massage, yoga, herbs & meditation.

Another WMS which developed in recent years in the West is Homeopathy the practice of stimulating the healing system of the body by delivering minute amounts of certain elements or substances which in much higher doses would be detrimental or dangerous to a patient's health.

Hand Dermatitis Treatment Tip

Hand dermatitis (also known as hand eczema) often results from a combination of causes, including genetic makeup (constitutional factors), injury (contact with irritants) and allergy. This condition is usually multi-factorial. The skin can react to the inflammation by forming scales. Fissures can then develop and these can be quite painful. The majority of individuals who have irritant dermatitis (75% of all cases of hand dermatitis) will produce this through contact with detergents, cleansers, water, metals, food or rubber. Hand dermatitis is particularly common in industries involving cleaning, catering, metalwork, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical work. Hand dermatitis varies in severity. It may affect the backs of the hands, the palms or both sites.

Often it starts as a mild intermittent complaint, but it can become increasingly severe and persistent. The affected skin initially becomes red and dry, then progresses to itchy papules (bumps) and fluid-filled blisters (vesicles), scaling, cracking (fissures), weeping (exudation) and swelling (oedema). Hand dermatitis can spread to affect other sites, particularly the forearms and feet. Emotional stresses make hand dermatitis worse, especially the type known as pompholyx in which crops of very itchy vesicles erupt on the palms. Some people are more prone to hand dermatitis than others. They often have a personal or family history of atopic dermatitis, asthma or hay fever. Friction and repetitive injury also damage the skin. Irritants result in much more damage once dermatitis has become established

To treat hand dermatitis, you must avoid contact with the substance that irritates your skin. Protect your hands from direct contact with soaps, detergents, scouring powders, and similar irritating chemicals by wearing waterproof, cotton lined, gloves. Topical steroids to reduce inflammation. These come in various strengths and should only be applied to areas of active dermatitis once or twice daily. Avoid the temptation of using very hot water even if wearing gloves. Wear cotton gloves to do general house work as they can be washed instead of washing your hands too often. Cortisone ointments are used treat severe cases of hand dermatitis.

Mud Gloves are good for working outside if you have hand dermatitis. Use a mild soap (Dove, Basis, Olay, Cetaphil) or a soap substitute.

Hand Dermatitis Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Use a long handled brush for washing the dishes

2. Avoid direct contact with turpentine, paint thinner and paints.

3. Avoid the temptation of using very hot water even if wearing gloves.

4. Keep hand washing to a minimum, keep water temperature luke warm

5. Avoid harsh or scented soaps, soapless cleansers may be the best to use.

6. Apply moisturizers after washing, ointments that are clear and sticky seem to work the best.

7. Avoid heating or cooling the skin, sweating within rubber gloves alone can worsen the dermatitis.

8. Wear cotton gloves to do general house work as they can be washed instead of washing your hands too often.

Vitamins To Regrow Hair

Hair care assumes increasing importance as men age. Hair fall, gradual lessening in hair regrowth, conditions like Androgenetic Alopecia etc, are noticed with advancing age, especially in the period between 18-35 years. The body's natural hair regeneration fails to keep up with the quantum of hair loss. As a result receding hairlines, widows peaks, bald patches are noticed more and more.

It is but natural to resort to hair regrow products and vitamins to regrow hair. The shop shelves stock a lot of products to address male hair loss. While some are available in topical solution form, some are available as pills. Many of these products available on prescription as well as over the counter come with their own side effects.

Hair loss is predominantly caused by Androgenetic Alopecia, a condition characterized by abnormal quantities of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp. 5-Alpha Reductase, a naturally produced enzyme in the body processes testosterone in to DHT. DHT blockers address this issue and help control hair loss due to DHT.

Vitamins to regrow hair and stimulate hair production and follicle regeneration are present in some hair regrowth products that combine them with DHT blockers.

Classifying The Types Of Alternative Medicine Posted By : Shaun Parker

Alternative medicine can be defined as any form of therapy, practice or treatment which is outside the mainstream or beyond the realm of the conventional.

More generally it can be defined as any approach or medicine which differs from conventional Western forms. Alternative medicine is often talked about in conjunction with Complementary Therapy and the umbrella term Complementary & Alternative Medicine or CAM is used.

As a general guide some of the more mainstream CAMs are acupuncture, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathy, reiki, reflexology & Yoga.

Alternative medicine in the UK is growing year on year and in 2006 it generated expenditure of 1.6 billion pounds. Large numbers of people choose to seek out alternative forms of medicine subsequent to a diagnosis from their GP or other traditional route. However in the main, research shows that people tend to use CAMs in parallel with conventional medicine. There is often resistance from GPs to recommend or refer a patient to an alternative therapy where they consider empirical evidence to be limited or non-conclusive and the research methods are not always standardised as with traditional medicine. There are also often funding issues relating to onward referrals within the NHS.

However, the CAM sector is responding to this criticism by adopting the standard research methods & evidence provision in line with the medical establishments traditional methods. This is largely assisting with the rapid growth of this multi-layered industry, alongside the continually growing wealth of positive empirical evidence.

Treating Menopause in a Natural Way

A woman's body undergoes many changes during her life. As a matter of fact, they occur because of changing hormone levels that take place at different stages in life. Menopause is one of these transitional stages. It begins with perimenopause. It is the time when a woman's body is closer to menopause. At this time, monthly periods may become less regular, and other perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and sweats at night, may also become evident. Generally, perimenopause begins about two to four years before the last monthly period. The last monthly period is actually something by what menopause is marked. And the woman can't know for sure what's the last menstrual period until she haven't had menses for one full year. After menopause comes postmenopause and it lasts the rest of woman's life.

Varying levels of estrogens can result in a variety of symptoms that may last from a few months to a few years. The most common menopausal and early menopause symptoms are:

• Changes in menses. One of the first menopause and early menopause symptoms to be noticed is a change in menstrual periods. They can become less regular, lighter or heavier, shorter or longer. Menses may come less than three weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be spotting between periods as well.
• Changes in the woman's body. Some women find that their bodies change during and after menopause. It's natural that with age waists thicken, muscle mass is lost, fat tissue increases, skin gets thinner. Other women have memory problems, or joint and muscle stiffness and pain.
• Hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body that can last from several seconds up to several minutes. They can be mild and severe. The woman's face and neck become flushed and red blotches may appear on the back, chest, and arms. Also heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow.
• Mood swifts. There is a connection between hormonal changes and a woman's state of mind. The majority of menopausal women are subjected to sudden mood changes, irritability, depression and anxiety.
• Sexual problems. With the majority of women feelings about sex change with menopause. Some feel freer and sexier after menopause because they don't have to worry about pregnancy any more. Others have changes to the vagina, such as dryness, that makes sex unpleasant or even painful. You should keep in mind that until you have had one full year without a period, you should still use birth control if you do not want to become pregnant.
• Sleeping disorders. Some women find that they may not fall asleep easily or may wake too early or several times at night. Some women may need to go to the bathroom at awakening in the middle of the night and then find that they can't fall back asleep.
• Vaginal and urinary discomfort. The change in estrogen level can cause the vagina getting drier and thinner. As a result, sex can become unpleasant and painful, as well as woman can become more subjected to vaginal and urinary infections. Enuresis can become evident. Urine leaks can occur during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running.

As I’ve already said, menopause is a natural occurrence in every woman’s life. So why not treat it naturally? Menozac is a herbal menopause and early menopause treatment that has been formulated with an active combination of phytoestrogen herbal components, which have proved throughout a long history of menopause treatment to be very effective in maintaining hormonal balance of woman's body and relieving menopausal symptoms and symptoms of early menopause.

What should a man do when his wife starts losing her hair?

Greetings! This post is very special post for me because I owe it to my wife. My wife Mary (and she’s Welsh, by the way) is very concerned about her hair. I’m by no means careless and inattentive towards her but I can see no signs of her losing her hair. To me her hair is always strong, very-very thick and long and shiny. But she tells me every time that it’s getting thin, that she loses her hair, that because of that she’s not that attractive as she always was. I almost gave up in my endeavor to make her change her mind but all in vain. Maybe it’s a part of her Welsh character? As far as I’m “a confirmed follower of healthy way of living” I could not allow my dear wife to order those notorious drugs and medicals for hair loss. But I must compromise as well. So I set my self to searching a natural hair loss treatment that has no side effects and is effective and reliable at the same time. And I seem to have found it! This is Provillus, an all-natural hair loss treatment that has proved to be one of the best on the market of alternative and herbal hair loss treatments.

The majority of people believe that natural hair loss treatments can’t be very effective if you want to avoid hair loss and “initiate and accelerate” hair regrowth as soon as possible. People don’t believe that all those herbs, substances and products of natural origin are no that strong as drugs. Well, generally speaking, it’s true. That is why drugs are the most common and the most buyable hair loss treatments nowadays. But Provillus is an exception here.

This Natural Hair Loss Treatment contains only natural and herbal ingredients, vitamins and minerals. One small pill includes more that ten compenents. They are saw palmetto, magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, nettle root, pumpkin seed extract, Eleuthero, Uva-Ursi, biotin, and some others. We have already wrote about some of the above-named treatments in the previous articles. It is needless to say that all these components are vitally important for creating the proper environment for healthy hair growth.

It’s scientifically proven that the most typical hair loss causes are connected with hormones, precisely with the increased level of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone that can be present both in men and women. It affects adversely the productive function of hair follicles, so in course of time the hair becomes thinner and eventually comes out and stops its growth completely. Provillus is an alternative herbal hair loss treatment that lowers the level of dihydrotestosterone in the man’s or woman’s body and provides the scalp and hair with all necessary nutrients to keep them strong and healthy. As a result, it revitalizes hair follicles and provide fast hair growth.

Treatment Methods and Prevention Tips

Syringoma is a benign adnexal neoplasm formed by well-differentiated ductal elements. Syringoma is a non-cancerous (benign) bump usually found on the upper cheeks and lower eyelids of young adults. A syringoma is a skin coloured or yellowish firm rounded bump, one to three millimetres in diameter. Syringoma is completely harmless and is caused by the overgrowth of cells from sweat glands. Syringomas are often treated by electrosurgery (diathermy) or laser. This may or may not prove successful and can result in small scars. Syringomas can appear at any age, though they usually occur after puberty. Syringomas can develop in people of any race and of either gender, though females are more commonly affected.

Syringomas can occasionally run in families. Syringomas do not itch or cause pain. Up to 18% of people with Down syndrome may have syringomas. Eruptive syringomas appear abruptly in adult life. Most patients with eruptive syringomas are Asian or dark skinned. Syringomas more frequently affect women and do have an hereditary basis in some, but not all, cases. Syringomas may be associated with Down syndrome.Syringomas are frequently incidental, although some familial cases may occur. A syringoma is a skin coloured or yellowish firm rounded bump, one to three millimetres in diameter. Syringoma may be confused with xanthelasma (cholesterol deposits on the eyelids), trichoepitheliomas or basal cell skin cancer.

Syringomas are benign adnexal tumors of eccrine origin with four principal clinical variants. Syringomas can be associated with Down syndrome. Syringoma is a tumor that is located mostly in the superficial dermis. It is composed of numerous small ducts embedded in a sclerotic stroma. One method that seems to be effective and creates minimal scarring is the use of a hair removal electric needle; another promising technique uses a CO2 laser.The goal of therapy should be the destruction of the tumor with minimal scarring and no recurrence. Laser treatment is an option. Prior to treatment the area is injected with lidocaine to numb the area. Electrocautery involves the passage of an electrical current from a small metal tip to the syringoma effectively burning the lesion.

Syringoma (Hidradenomes eruptifis) - Prevention and Treatment Tips

1. Prior to treatment the area is injected with lidocaine to numb the area.

2. Electrocautery involves the passage of an electrical current from a small metal tip to the syringoma effectively burning the lesion.

3. Physical techniques such as excision, electrocoagulation is useful trreatment.

4. Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy yield poor cosmetic results.

5. Technique uses a CO2 laser is treat syringoma.

Relaxation Method Of Hypnotism Explained

This method of hypnotism depends on a pleasant voice and rapid fire talk which does not give the subject's mind an opportunity to wander away from the main idea of sleep. The word of the hypnotist and the imagination of the subject do the work.

Seat your subject in a comfortable chair. Tell him to settle himself deeply in the chair and get comfortable. Place both feet squarely on the floor. Do not let the subject sit cross-legged or chew gum. Crossed legs slow circulation in legs and gum-chewing diverts attention. Tell him to relax and place his hands in his lap. Tell him to close his eyes.

Now say, "Relax. Relax your arms. Relax your legs. Relax your nerves. Think of nothing except my words. Imagine you are doing just what I say you are doing. You are becoming very comfortable. You are completely relaxed. Just think about sleep." Then say, "You are going sound asleep. Your arms are heavy. Your legs are heavy. Your head is heavy. You are very tired and sleepy. You are going sound asleep.

Your head is getting very heavy. You can hardly hold it up. You are very tired and sleepy. You are going deep asleep. Breathe deep. Relax and go to sleep. You are going deep asleep." (At this point the subject should begin to nod.) Continue to talk, "You are asleep. Just relax and go deeper asleep. You are going deeper and deeper asleep."

Here the subject should indicate by his head falling forward that he is asleep. Lift his hands and drop them. If they are limp he is asleep. If the subject fails to respond quickly and you have the time to devote to longer procedure, you may continue to talk to him about sleep until he sleeps, or if you do not have the time for longer procedure, just awaken him. (Be sure to do this because he might be in a state of hypnosis not discernible.)

Then dismiss him with the statement that it will require more time than you can devote to him to put him to sleep and that at later time, you will be glad to hypnotize him. Be sure to make it clear that some persons require more time to hypnotize than do others.

Conventional Cures VS Natural Herbal Cure

According to the American Medical Association Journal, over 100,000 Americans die in hospitals every year due to side effects from regularly prescribed medications. Throughout America, a huge amount of medication is prescribed on a daily basis.

The medical community openly acknowledges that fact that it does not have any cure for several common diseases that affect people. Most allopathic medicines have side effects that can range from mild to severe. The reason for this is that most of these chemicals have certain toxic properties. This is why there have been so many prescription drugs that got pulled from the market after enjoying several years of FDA approval.

The sad thing is that very few doctors nowadays bother to inform patients about possible side effects due to close and cozy relationships with the pharmaceutical industries.

Half of the truth is that pharmaceutical companies will only tell doctors as much as they want to and not reveal the complete picture. Therefore, the doctors are not completely to blame because they cannot warn patients against side effects of chemicals they are not aware of.

The trouble is that the business is so profitable is that these medicine manufacturers are more concerned with profits and FDA approval rather than the overall effect on the patients.

This is one reason why several doctors are now beginning to recommend complementary alternative treatments, like herbal therapies and medicines.

Here are some interesting facts:

The totally amount of annual profits made by pharmaceutical companies through sale of drugs in the United States alone is over $100 billion More than 25% of all prescription drugs available contain plant derivatives More than 80,000 types of plants are used all over the world for medicinal purposes.Over 75% of the global population depends on herbal remedies for regular treatment

There are several choices available for people who are looking for alternative remedies, including Acupuncture, Yoga, Qigong, Tai chi, Ayurveda, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, homeopathy, energy medicines, holistic approaches, and aromatherapy. In fact, the number of herbal remedies available for different ailments equals (if not exceeds) the number of regular drug treatments provided by pharmaceutical companies.

The point is that prevention always was and always will be better than any cure, mainstream or alternative. The advantage of herbal remedies is that they move an individual towards a lifestyle more geared toward prevention and cure in the early stages of any affliction.

Pharmaceutical drugs work only after the problem has development, they do not try to prevent problems because then the manufacturing companies would go into a loss.

This is where herbal remedies leave the mainstream drugs behind. This is also the reason why so many people are daily turning to herbal therapies.

Herbal remedies treat the cause of the disease and not the symptoms (like conventional drugs). Herbal remedies also have almost no side effects.

Are You a Little Low on Serotonin or Dopamine Take A Test

Ladies, do you feel depressed or overwhelmed by your moods? Men, do you frequently have low energy or can't focus? Did you know that this could be from a lack of serotonin in women and dopamine in men? These are brain chemicals and when they're at normal levels they create a sense of well being and contentment.

Many experts, including among others, John Gray, PhD., world-famous author suggests that we can create health, happiness and lasting romance by following a simple nutrition and exercise routine, as well as putting into practice some relationship and communication skills he recommends. The nutrition program helps the body create more serotonin and dopamine just by giving it the nutrients it needs each day, many of which we're not getting in our foods any more.

The works immediately for more than 90 percent of the people who try it. The program is so easy to apply that almost everyone who tries it benefits immediately. Many, under the supervision of their doctors, have gradually gone off such psychoactive medications as Prozac. Thousands of overweight people have lost and kept off their extra weight in just a few weeks. Every day I hear the stories of increased health, energy, successful weight management, and better sleep at night.

Do you know if your serotonin or dopamine level is low? Take a test to see if you're deficient in these vital brain chemicals.

Take this test:

Find Out if you're deficient in the vital brain chemicals that help make you healthy and happy.

MEN:

1) Do you have lots of energy and passion at work but not at home? Work is stimulating and challenging, but when you get home, you don't have energy?

2) Have you found that your interest and passion declined as your relationship with your partner/spouse continued over the years? You find you avoid eye contact, you're distracted, and conversations with her are dull?

3) Are you inattentive and impatient? Have you lost interest in what your partner talks about and can't focus your attention on what she's saying?

4) Are you impulsive? You can't take time to think through a problem or reflect on your feelings?

5) Are you forgetful? Does your motivation drop and you forget, but you can always remember football games, important business calls, or problems at work?

6) Are you solution oriented with your spouse? You always want to solve her problems right away or talk her out of her emotional upset?

7) Are you unavailable emotionally? Do you need to go somewhere by yourself in your home for long periods and you can't devote time to listen to your partner?

8) Do you have tunnel vision? You can focus only on big problems and you ignore the little ones? And even if you know the little ones, you have no energy to put your attention to solving them?

What is Alternative Medicine

Before looking at the area of Alternative Medicine it is important to define and be clear about exactly what we mean.

'Alternative' can be described as a form of practice that is outside the establishment or realm of the convention either different from or able to serve as a substitute for something else. 

So on the context of medicine, alternative medicine is a broad range of health care practices that are either preventive or therapeutic. These practices are not what is broadly considered within the 'mainstream' of medical treatments or methods and some of the treatments may not be underpinned by hard and fast scientific research by way of endorsing their effectiveness.

It is important to note that the term alternative medicine is often used alongside or in conjunction with the term 'complementary medicine' using the umbrella name of 'Complementary & Alternative Medicine' (CAM). A complementary medicine can be defined as a mainstream or conventional therapy which is used in addition to or alongside a conventional therapy as prescribed by a GP.

So what are the CAM's?

Generally the treatment systems & practices which are included under the umbrella term Complementary & Alternative Medicine are

* Acupuncture

* Acupuncture

* Aromatherapy

* Ayurvedic Systems

* Chiropractic

* Herbal medicine

* Homoeopathy

* Hypnotherapy

* Magnet therapy

* Massage Therapy

* naturopathy

* Osteopathy

* Reiki

* Reflexology

* Yoga

How popular are CAM's

It is estimated that in the UK alone the alternative therapy market accounts for 1.6 pounds billion and is growing year on year. This ground swell of popularity for CAMs is not limited purely to the UK. It is thought that in Europe over 50% of people have tried a CAM. In Australia a 1/3 of the population have visited an alternative medicine practitioner. In fact globally approximately 75% use alternative medicine & The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 65%

of the world's population (around 3 billion people) use CAM as their main form of health care.

Complementary Therapy For All

The amount of people using complementary therapies has seen a dramatic increase in recent years. There are many reasons for this increase, and many reasons to believe that the increase is a trend that is set to continue.

The motivation to use complementary therapies can be broadly categorized into those seeking a remedy for a particular ailment or condition, and those who desire to use therapies to promote personal well being.

Traditionally, complementary therapy could be defined as the use of therapies in addition to those that a local GP was able to prescribe and refer clients to.

Today, this definition is outdated and has changed. In recent years more and more complementary therapies have become available through the NHS and the prescription of these therapies is becoming more common-place. When considering the use of therapies widely accepted and prescribed by local GPs, the definition of Complementary really is one of Therapies that go together with, accompany and complement conventional medicine.

Acceptance and Recognition

This recognition of many individual therapies by the National Health Service has helped to promote them and their acceptance in the public eye. There is a growing recognition both within the medical profession and in the minds of the public that Complementary Therapies have a role to play in our healthcare. This growing acceptance goes hand in hand with the increase in popularity of using Complementary Therapies, which in turn has helped to remove many of the unwarranted stigmas attached to using alternative forms of medical practice.