Natural Health Basics

Holistic health is a non-medical path to well-being. It sees the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and balanced. Advocates of holistic health typically use a wide variety of alternative practices, the most common of which include: Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Massage Therapy, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Osteopathy, and Physical Therapy.

Acupuncture
The practice of acupuncture is based on the philosophy of yin and yang—two opposite forces that govern all aspects of life, including health. Ailments result from an imbalance of these two forces, which is caused by the disruption or blockage of energy, or chi, in the body.

Acupuncturists commonly use thin metal needles as a means of stimulation to points along specific energy pathways, or meridians, to help chi flow freely. Massage, heat, lasers and magnets are also used as an alternative to the needles.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils extracted from herbs, trees and plants for therapeutic purposes. Aromatherapists can recommend personally tailored scents for specific ailments, or to promote well-being.

Treatment generally involves the mixing of essential oils with a neutral one, such as vegetable oil. Three examples of application include having the mixed oil spread over the body in a massage, added to bathwater or inhaled.

Chiropractic
Focusing on the vital relationship between the nervous system and your health, chiropractic restores health and well being by removing spinal nerve interference known as vertebral subluxation. This is done, without the aid of drugs or surgery, most commonly to help treat various problems involving bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Generally, a chiropractor manually applies a controlled force to the problem area, alleviating inflammation, reduced mobility or pain. Chiropractors are also trained to give advice on lifestyle and dietary changes.

Dentistry
The health of your teeth can impact your overall health. Did you know that gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes? With nearly a third of Americans susceptible to gum disease, dental health is key to well-being. While daily dental hygiene is imperative, preventive care is just as crucial.

Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine that treats illnesses through the use of extreme dilutions of herbs, animal substances and chemical compounds. The term homeopathy comes from the Greek homeo meaning "similar," and pathos meaning "suffering." Samuel Hahnemann, an 18th-century German physician, coined the term in 1796.

Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage, manipulating body tissue with the hands, heals muscles and promotes better circulation. It is effective for patients who suffer a range of conditions from arthritis to paralysis and is often used to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a blend of different therapies, all attempting to restore the body to health in the most natural way possible. Based on the idea that the body has the innate ability to fight disease, its techniques are noninvasive and designed to stimulate the body's natural healing powers.

Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Nutrition and diet therapies educate people about the connection between food and health. Nutritionists and dietitians promote good eating habits to help prevent disease and to treat preexisting conditions. They work with a patient's unique biological makeup to plan a diet regimen that will facilitate his or her return to optimal health.

Osteopathy
Osteopaths practice medicine just like medical doctors. But osteopaths are distinguished by their holistic philosophy. They believe a proper working musculoskeletal system is at the core of a person's well-being. These physicians use techniques like osteopathic manipulative treatment, to help diagnose illness and injury and encourage healing.

Physical Therapy
Following extensive assessment and diagnosis of a disease or disability, physical therapy seeks to rehabilitate the body through movement and touch. Exercise and massage are two main applications of therapeutic treatment. Patients of physical therapy include accident victims and sufferers of debilitating conditions such as strokes, lower back pain, head injuries, heart disease and cerebral palsy.

Health Professionals in Washington

Marjorie Grace Shovlin LAc, MAc, DiplAc, NCCAOM, CA Acupuncturist	send email
"Your body is wise and powerful. You already have everything you need to thrive in body, mind, and spirit. Acupuncture is an ancient medical art that unleashes your body's natural healing power. ..." See full profile	620 C Street SE On Capitol Hill Washington, District of Columbia 20003 (202) 547-4234
John Lee RCST, LMT, CMT Massage Therapist	send email
"I have been in practice since 1996. My treatment approach to your wholeness incorporates a combination of styles which are intended to respect your journey to health and well-being. I believe I ..." See full profile	1234 19th Street NW Suite 700 Washington, District of Columbia 20036 (301) 370-6813
Nadia Arora ND Naturopath	send email
"Dr. Arora has a unique approach to health and disease. She practices general family medicine with emphasis on dermatology, women"s health and children"s health. Dr. Arora"s has a conventional medical approach to ..." See full profile	1234 19th Street NW Suite 700 Washington, District of Columbia 20036 (703) 371-2605
Marie Rodriguez ND Naturopath	send email
"As a naturopathic physician, I use medicines and therapies that treat the whole person, including: therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, craniosacral therapy, homeopathy and lifestyle counseling for both acute and chronic conditions. I ..." See full profile	1325 G St NW Suite 500 Washington, District of Columbia 20005 (703) 282-5331
BK Mudahar LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"Dr. B.K. Mudahar practices acupuncture at the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine. She came highly recommended to the Institute for her abilities as a practitioner. Prior to working at the Institute she ..." See full profile	3402 Connecticut Avenue Washington, District of Columbia 20008 (202) 237-7681
Ali Safayan MD Acupuncturist	send email
"As an internist and medical acupuncturist, I treat a broad range of issues. Medical acupuncture can be used to promote health and well being, prevent illness and treat various medical conditions. While ..." See full profile	4801 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, District of Columbia 20016 (202) 244-6661
Vanessa Vergnetti ND Naturopath	send email
"My area of expertise lies in helping people identify what the root cause of their uncomfortability or illness is. I assist them in eliminating the obstacles from their lives. The events that ..." See full profile	2440 M Street NW Suite 320 Washington, District of Columbia 20037 (703) 937-7169
Bronwyn Clark MAc, LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"Relax, Rejuvenate, and Resolve Unwanted Symptoms With Bronwyn Dalton Clark, M.Ac., L.Ac " See full profile	1826 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, District of Columbia 20007 (202) 321-2923
Nichole Jefferson LMT, CMT Massage Therapist	send email
"I perform Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and aromatherapy using Young Living Essential Oils. By using steady soothing strokes on your skin and superficial muscles your stress will dissipate. A massage focused ..." See full profile	1201 Franklin Street NE, Suite 105 Washington, District of Columbia 20017 (202) 689-4585
Olivier Pelletier LMT, NCTMB Massage Therapist	send email
"My ideal client is someone who is looking for the best deep tissue massage treatment and/or relief and rehabilitation from injury and chronic pain of the neck, shoulder, or back, including hip ..." See full profile	4801 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, District of Columbia 20016 (301) 379-1613

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