What is Complementary Medicine?
Complementary medicine is described as therapeutic techniques that are not part of traditional medical treatments but are combined with other conventional medicine to create safe and effective treatment plans for patients. The combination of traditional and complementary medicine considers how illnesses affect patients physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
What Complementary Medicine is Available for Sarcoidosis Patients?
Acupuncture
Part of Traditional Chinese medication, acupuncture has evolved over thousands of years to help prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the body’ qi, or vital energy, flows along specific channels or meridians. Acupuncture is one of the approaches used to create harmony, and the practice involves placing thin needles into the skin along the more than 2,000 acupuncture points.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve overall health and well-being. These oils can be applied to your skin through massage or inhaled through a facial steam or diffuser. While there is limited scientific evidence that aromatherapy is effective, it has been reported to help with things like anxiety and insomnia.
Creativity & Healing
Studies have found that taking part in creative processes can be a healing experience. The creative process is diverse and can range from doodling in a coloring book to listening to opera. Traditional healing arts include art, music, dance, poetry, and drama therapies. Taking part in creative practices can have overall positive impacts on health.
Exercise
While exercise won’t cure Sarcoidosis, it does stimulate the chemicals in the brain, helping patients feel happier, more relaxed, and less anxious. Regular exercise can also increase energy levels, improve the skin’s appearance, improve brain function, and reduce the risk of heart disease, making it a great option for combating side effects of Sarcoidosis medication.
Healthy Eating
Good nutrition is extremely important for leading the healthiest lifestyle possible. The Department of Health and Human Services have listed recommendations for portioning servings, easy switches you can make for better nutrition, and examples of lean proteins to include in your meals.
Laughter
It’s believed that those who have a positive attitude have a better chance at fighting off diseases than those who have a negative outlook. While there’s no real research on this, there’s a reason why the phrase “laughter is the best medicine” exists.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy includes many techniques, but all can be used to help manage health conditions. It’s been studied as relief for several types of pain and anxiety, although the evidence for it isn’t super strong. Nevertheless, massage therapy is sometimes used as a complementary treatment along with traditional medical protocols for numerous medical conditions, including sarcoidosis.
Meditation
By providing a sense of calm, peace, and balance, meditation can be helpful in the improvement of overall physical and mental health. Thousands of scientific studies have identified numerous benefits of meditation. These benefits may include the relief of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Mental Health
Dealing with a sarcoidosis diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. It’s important to prioritize your mental health through support groups, where you have the opportunity to discuss your challenges and experiences with people who understand.
Reflexology
Another component of Traditional Chinese medicine, reflexology is a type of therapy that involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears to promote wellness and healing. Reflexology is said to clear the blocked energy, providing improved health benefits.
Reiki
The word Reiki is of Japanese origin; “rei” means universal, and “ki” means life energy, together meaning miraculous sign. Reiki is given by a Reiki practitioner by placing the hands off the body, lightly touching the body, or can be done long-distance as a form of prayer to direct the body’s energy flow to remove blocks which will reduce the symptoms of illness.
Spirituality & Religion
There is belief that faith and prayer can have a significant impact on health outcomes regardless of which religion or belief you practice. If you’re religious, further research into prayer or faithful healing may be beneficial for your well-being.
Yoga
Yoga is a mind and body practice that can build strength and flexibility. While not a cure, yoga can help calm the mind, boost confidence, fight stress, and promote positive thinking, all great things for those dealing with a sarcoidosis diagnosis.
Complementary treatments are not intended to replace any traditional medical treatment plan, and patients’ primary healthcare professionals should be consulted to discuss if any of these treatments are safe and appropriate for your use.