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 San Francisco

Max Utter MS, NCTMB, CSCS, NLC Massage Therapist	send email
"I do pain relief therapy through bodywork, stretching, corrective exercise and nutrition as well as weight management, personal training and nutrition lectures. More about me and my qualifications can be found at ..." See full profile	1162-B Gorgas Avenue San Francisco, California 94129 (415) 216-6375
Tamara Nadine Brown Acupuncturist	send email
"I practice Integrative Medicine. I offer modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine and lifestyle counseling and work with integrating these options with others methods a patient may choose to involve, including Western ..." See full profile	1085 Valencia St San Francisco, California 94110 (415) 425-8509
Missing LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"Nest-Integrative Health & Fertility is a Chinese Medical practice that focuses on women"s health and fertility. Through acupuncture, herbs, nutritional counseling and healthy supplements, we provide excellent care and treatment for the ..." See full profile	1990 Lombard Street San Francisco, California 94123 (415) 673-6378
Peter Eckman MD, PhD, MAc Acupuncturist	send email
"I am a physician specializing in acupuncture treatment since 1974, and was active in founding the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. I also served on the CA State Acupuncture Board ..." See full profile	4279 Cesar Chavez Street San Francisco, California 94131 (415) 648-1971
Sandra Zeldes BA, NC, EFTcert Nutritionist/Dietitian	send email
"Are you struggling with weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, depression or lack of motivation? Do you feel like no matter what you do, you can't lose weight or feel better? Have you tried ..." See full profile	San Francisco, California 94118 (415) 386-2563
Carol A Francois LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"Having studied Chinese Medicine for almost 30 years, I have treated a wide variety of medical conditions. My training was more traditional in that in addition to attending acupuncture school, I apprenticed under ..." See full profile	1085 Valencia Street San Francisco, California 94110 (415) 810-2037
Heather Bird M.S., L.Ac. Acupuncturist	send email
"I have a family practice in a community clinic where people of all ages and health needs can comfortably access effective health care. My specialties include women's health, fertility, pain management and ..." See full profile	211 Sutter St Suite 800 San Francisco, California 94108 (415) 516-2497
Chris O'Donnell L.Ac., QME Acupuncturist	send email
"Chris O'Donnell, L.Ac, is a specialist in the treatment of pain and can help you feel better and recover faster. He uses acupuncture and herbal medicine to reduce pain, improve function, increase ..." See full profile	862 Folsom St San Francisco, California 94107 (415) 412-8841
Pamela Zilavy MA, MS, LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"Share my 30 years of personal and professional bodywork experience with massage, or Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture therapy and herbal remedies for your chronic or acute symptoms. Relaxed, no-rush treatments in a ..." See full profile	95 Ora Way San Francisco, California 94131 (415) 279-8376
Paul Reller LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"I provide expertise in a number of treatment modalities which may be combined or use separately to suit the individual case. Physiotherapies such as TuiNa, which is a comprehensive soft tissue manipulation, ..." See full profile	1364 Valencia Street San Francisco, California 94110 (415) 601-1323

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