Compiled by the Health and Wellness Division
of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

Many treatments and methods employed in contemporary health and wellness professions may be unfamiliar to some members of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. This document can serve as an initial guidebook to these topics. For detailed information, do consult with your Cape Ann Chamber members who use these approaches to solve health problems.

• Acupuncture - Refreshes the body's natural healing response by regulating the flow of the blood and the vital energy ('chi'). Like fuses, specific points along bio-electric circuits affect the body's internal organs and structures. To relieve pain or injury, the acupuncturist treats with painlessly thin needles or the use of heat, pressure, laser light, magnets, or minute electrical currents. Chinese medicinal herbs may also be used to feed the body.
• Applied Kinesiology - Analytic method in which an individual's structural, chemical, or mental conditions are evaluated through the use of muscle strength testing (resistance to the practitioner's pressure on an arm or leg) and the nerve reflexes in the body. It can be used to determine whether an imbalance is nutritional, structural, or psychological in nature and then to determine the appropriate treatment.
• Aroma Therapy - Is the use of pure essential oils to improve health and reduce stress. Essential oils have been used to improve health and in the physical, emotional or mental areas of life. They have been utilized for thousands of years.
• Ayurveda - A traditional medical system from India, Ayurveda means "the science of life". To be "healthy" is not only to be free of disease, but also to be in a state of balance in all aspects of human life, including the mind and soul.
• Breath Work - A conscious focus on the breathing process, which fills the body with an abundant amount of oxygen, supplying cells with freshly charged blood. It can rejuvenate the body and mind and release emotional memories, which are stored in the individual cells. It can be used to reach deep inner peace, clarity, relaxation, and healing on many levels.
• Bowen Technique - A gentle soft-tissue manipulation that stimulates the circulation of blood and lymph. The technique involves the therapist using fingers or thumbs to move over muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia in various parts of the body.
• CranioSacral Therapy (CST) - The craniosacral mechanism is composed of the brain, spinal cord, bones of the skull, sacrum, interconnected membranes, and the cerebrospinal fluid. CST gently manipulates the cranium and the sacrum to correct misalignments in the structure of this system. It has been used to treat chronic pain, migraine headaches, and TMJ and is especially beneficial for head and neck injuries.
• Chiropractic -The proper alignment of the spine and vertebrae is considered to be essential for good health. Misalignments caused by poor posture or trauma result in pressure on the spinal nerve roots, which may lead to diminished system function and even illness. Chiropractic adjustments are used for painful musculoskeletal problems and for functional organic conditions such as migraine headaches, high blood pressure, or nervous disorders.
• Feng Shui - The Chinese art of placement and harmonious design. A Feng Shui practitioner arranges building sites, living spaces, furniture, and other objects to create a harmonious flow of energy (chi). Properly adjusted spaces can greatly enhance career, prosperity, happiness, relationships, success, & personal fulfillment.
• Humor - Humor does help. It is the body's way of exercising the internal organs by the motions of laughter. It is the healthy way of feeling a "distance" between one's self and the problem, a way of standing off and looking at one's problem with perspective. Laboratory experiments have shown that enjoying comedy has beneficial effects on components of the immune system.
• Hypnotherapy - Facilitates access to a client's subconscious mind, in order to uncover and explore memories, emotions, and past events which may affect a person's conscious mind. It helps treat functional disorders such as personality disorders such as habitual behaviors and phobias.
• Jin Shin Jyutsu - An ancient Japanese art of harmonizing life energy within the body by hand contact with certain points of the meridian chi system. It facilitates balance in the body's energy systems, which promotes health and well being.
• Lymph Drainage Massage - Manual pumping (compression) techniques facilitating the flow of the lymph fluids.
• Massage - There are many approaches to manual, soft tissue manipulation -- including holding, causing movement, and/or applying pressure to the body. (Specialized styles of massage therapy include Sports Injury, Deep Tissue, Swedish, Neuromuscular, Myofascial, & Hot Stone.)
• Meditation - Is often described as a process of focusing the mind. There are many styles of meditation and contemplation. The object of focus may be the breath, an external object, a sound (mantra), a concept, or an image. It helps clear the mind and settles the emotions. In the medical context, meditation skills regulate the nervous system and allow the "relaxation response" to occur, reducing the negative effects of stress and fatigue on one's physiological system.
• Neurodevelopmental Therapy - Healthy minds and bodies develop in a step-by-step sequence. When a stage of growth is missed or disorganized, the result can often be learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or other neurologically based difficulties. Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Active Healing) determines which developmental steps are problematic and restructures them so to achieve health.
• Neurofeedback - An advanced form of biofeedback that helps you learn to regulate your own brainwaves for improved performance and flexibility. Neurofeedback is used for treatment of attention problems (ADD & ADHD), sleep problems, pain management problems, emotional and behavior regulation problems. It is also employed by musicians, athletes and executives to optimize accomplishments.
• Polarity Therapy - A comprehensive health system that balances the energy fields of the body, traditionally termed -- Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. With a light touch and focused intention, the practitioner facilitates a deep relaxation that enables healing on many levels. For some clients, Polarity Therapy also includes improvements in diet and exercise.
• Prayer - Although not, strictly speaking, a medical therapy, religious belief and the power of prayer have long been recognized to aid in healing and continued health.
• Qi Gong (also spelled Chi Kung) - These are two Chinese words: "Qi" means energy and "gong" means a skill or a practice. Qi Gong exercises stimulate the flow of energy along the acupuncture meridians to restore, maintain, and improve health and vitality. There are many traditional and modern styles of Qi Gong.
• Quantum Touch - A method of energy flow treatment that raises one's vibration through specialized breathing techniques. The practitioner may touch or think of another person and send that higher energy vibration to them.
• Reiki - A gentle, non-invasive, ancient form of natural healing brought to the USA from Japan. The practitioner places his/her hands on the recipient's clothed body, moving the hands every few minutes. It is a form of energy work that restores and balances the natural life force energy within the body.
• R.Y.S.E - This abbreviation stands for "Raise Your Sublime Energy," an advanced form of Polarity Therapy. Using knowledge of the energy anatomy of the human body and of the subconscious mind, the practitioner uses a variety of methods to balance, repair, and recharge the client's mind, body, emotions, and spirit. R.Y.S.E. is also shamanic and healing for the soul.
• Shamanism - Centuries-old practices of spiritual healing performed throughout the world. All of life, including the illness, trauma and misfortune are perceived to be spiritual in origin. It is a journey to reclaim lost power, vitality and essence.
• Shiatsu - In this traditional Japanese method of therapeutic massage, a practitioner applies gentle rhythmic pressure along the acupuncture meridians to restore health, balance and vitality. Stress-related conditions respond well to this form of therapy, which is typically done with the client remaining clothed.
• SomatoEmotional Release - A craniosacral technique which deals with the physical manifestations of emotional trauma - which can be caused by an accident, injury, or emotional stress. The manipulation and release of a physical block will often cause a healing release of emotional energy.
• Tai Chi - Sometimes called a meditation in movement, this exercise system develops and strengthens a person's internal energy ("chi"). It creates holistic balance and neutralizes stress. At optional higher levels of training, it is a martial art.
• Therapeutic Touch - Developed by Dolores Krieger, RN it is a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing practices. In this consciously directed process the practitioner uses the hands as tools that facilitate healing.
• Thought Field Therapy - A technique for resolving emotional and psychological issues, founded by Roger Callahan, Ph.D. It uses acupressure points which are activated by lightly tapping them with the fingertips while thinking about the specific problem. It is effective for fears, phobias, anxiety, trauma (post-traumatic stress syndrome; PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other problems.
• Trager Method- A gentle, non-intrusive, technique of natural movements to help release physical and mental patterns. It facilitates deep relaxation, increases physical mobility, and increases mental clarity.
• Hatha Yoga - From India, gentle or vigorous postures that stretch and tone muscles, joints, organs and glands. Yoga helps relieve physical and mental tension. There are many styles of Yoga training.
• Zero Balancing - A body work system that aligns the energy body with the physical structure.

Revised 12/2005

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