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 Chicago

Sue Shekut L.M.T. Massage Therapist	send email
"Working Well Massage promotes stress reduction and pain relief through frequent, energizing short-duration chair massages. Our highly professional, licensed therapists come to your workplace or special event, analyze the source of each ..." See full profile	325 W Huron Suite 308 Chicago, Illinois 60610 (773) 206-9676
Stephen Bonzak MS, LAc, DiplCH Acupuncturist	send email
"I am a licensed board certified acupuncturist and herbalist. I have a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago. In addition to my private ..." See full profile	830 W. Diversey Pkwy Suite 100 Chicago, Illinois 60614 (773) 327-3055
Janet Gutrich DN, DC Chiropractor	send email
"I can help someone who has been every where but still has pain,fatigue,injury or stress.I work with neck, shoulder, arm ,wrist, mid to low back pain or strain.I also address knee and ..." See full profile	1425 W Diversey Parkway Chicago, Illinois 60614 (773) 472-0700
Heather Oblak LMT, NCTM Massage Therapist	send email
"No pain, no gain? Rubbish! Massage doesn"t need to be painful to be effective. Your perfect health is already within you, but sometimes your body needs to be reminded of what it ..." See full profile	3322 N Ashland Ave 2nd Floor Chicago, Illinois 60657 (773) 474-4898
Daryll E. Daley LAc, MSOM Acupuncturist	send email
"As a TCM Practitioner, I believe this medicine can achieve positive results in many areas where Western Medicine has no answer, at less cost, and with little to no side effects. My ..." See full profile	1834 W North Ave Apt 1SE Chicago, Illinois 60622 (773) 227-9150
Melissa Duran LMT Massage Therapist	send email
"***1st time clients $35 for One Hour Massage*** Do you have LOW BACK PAIN? NECK PAIN? HEADACHES? or STRESS? The treatments used for patients with aches and pains are therapeutic techniques that involve ..." See full profile	1148 W Diversey Pkwy Chicago, Illinois 60614 (773) 598-5851
Tim J Foster NMT, LMT, NCTMB, CPT, CES Massage Therapist	send email
"I focus on client's with pain, soreness affecting their everyday activities. I analyze posture, gait analysis, and movement patterns to look for areas of tightness and dysfuntional movement. " See full profile	2139 W. Montrose Chicago, Illinois 60618 (847) 337-3858
Stephanie J Draus ND Naturopath	send email
"I work closely with my clients to create innovative, sustainable, and practical solutions for their health issues. I assist my clients with autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses; acute conditions, from ..." See full profile	2519 N California Avenue 2nd Floor Chicago, Illinois 60647 (773) 486-3797
Courtney E. Lewis LMT, NCTMB Massage Therapist	send email
"Massage has been a passion of mine since I was young. I like working with many different personalities, treatment needs and bodytypes. If you need treatment, I am here to help. " See full profile	823 N Damen Avenue 1F Chicago, Illinois 60622 (773) 209-6430
Kirk Rogers Moulton Acupuncturist	send email
""I want to share the success and blessings that I have received by discovering this form of medicine. I see any symptom as a message, what we do with that message is ..." See full profile	3322 N Ashland Ave #2 Chicago, Illinois 60657 (773) 880-9120

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