Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese health practice that involves gently placing hair-thin needles at particular locations on the body called acupuncture points. This treatment affects the flow of energy in the body, which the Chinese call "chi," to help create balance and the opportunity to heal. Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for pain, migraines, certain addictions, nausea, osteoarthritis, as well as many other conditions identified by the World Health Organization. Non-needle techniques, such as acupressure and moxabustion, can often provide similar results.

Acupressure is a style of bodywork founded on the same theory as acupuncture. In acupressure, pressure is placed on acupuncture points on a person's body with the therapist's finger-tip or knuckle. It is intended to stimulate and balance the chi to help optimize healing. Acupressure massage has been shown to be effective for muscular pain, headaches (including migraine), backaches, insomnia, and some gynecological and gastrointestinal disorders.

Chiropractic is a system of healthcare that focuses on the relationship between the spinal column and the nervous system. By manipulating the skeletal system, nerve flow is increased to reduce pain and increase health. It is the treatment of choice for most cases of non-emergent lower back pain.

Cranial Osteopathy or Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle manual manipulation technique that recognizes and remedies imbalances in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid that courses through the membranes enclosed within membranes in the skull and spinal column. Practitioners of craniosacral therapies gently palpate the bones of the skull and face to determine if any bones are creating obstacles in the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. By subtly, adjusting the bony structures of this system, a practitioner reestablishes the healthy alignment of this intricate system. Craniosacral therapy is used to treat headaches, chronic discomfort from head or neck injuries, asthma, ear and eye problems, dyslexia, and hyperactivity.

Energy Medicine, which includes reiki and therapeutic touch, involves the use of nonlocal, presently nonmeasurable energy sources. Treatment involves evaluation and gentle manipulation of the subtle energy fields in and around the body. Studies have shown that such work can ease pain and relieve anxiety for some people.

Guided Imagery and Visualization techniques make use of images created in the imagination to focus the mind so that relaxation and even health-promoting physiological changes occur. These techniques have been successfully used in helping stress-related disorders, as a complement to conventional interventions for serious or life-threatening illnesses, as well as for enhancing athletic performances.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is almost 300 years old and has been practiced in the U.S. since 1825. It is based in part on the "Law of Similars" that states that "like cures like." For example, a minute dose of something that causes a runny nose in a healthy individual may be prescribed for symptoms that are similar to those of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Remedies for treatments are made from plants, animals, and minerals in exceedingly small concentrations.

Manual medicine includes those techniques that focus on touch and manipulation with the practitioner's hands on the physical body. Techniques include massage (Swedish, sports, Esalen, deep tissue, etc.), structural integration, chiropractic adjustments, osteopathic adjustments, Alexander Technique, Trager Method, reflexology, acupressure, cranial osteopathy or craniosacral therapy, Feldenkrais Method, and Hellerwork.

Meditation and Relaxation techniques have been used throughout the world for centuries. Many types exist. There are physiological as well as emotional and spiritual benefits, for meditation has a calming effect on its users. Also, scientific evidence indicates that it can reduce high blood pressure, pain, and stress.

Meridians
A Chinese medicine term for the 14 pathways throughout the body for the flow of qi, or vital energy, which can be accessed through acupuncture points.

Mind/Body Interventions include those techniques that emphasize the profound interconnectedness between the mind and body and the influence each has on the other. Treatments such as guided imagery and active visualization, biofeedback, meditation, relaxation techniques, clinical hypnosis, art therapy, sound and music therapy, yoga, tai chi, qigong, dance/movement therapy, and color and light therapy are just some of the more popular mind/body treatments.

Moxibustion
Heating moxa (a plant) over acupuncture points to achieve the balanced flow of Chi. This is a non-needle form of accupuncture.

Qi or Chi or ki
(Pronounced "chee.") The Chinese term for vital energy or life force.

Reflexology is a form of bodywork based on the theory that the soles of the feet and palms of the hands are mirrors of the entire body and that every area of the body corresponds to a specific place on the hands or soles of the feet. The only instruments used in reflexology are the hands, which apply steady pressure to the appropriate point on either the hands or the feet. By stimulating these points, a reflex action to the corresponding part of the body is created. Reflexology does not treat illnesses, per se, but practitioners believe that stimulation can positively affect the body and its ability to heal. For this reason, it is used as an adjunct for many physical conditions, including digestive problems, menstrual difficulties, hypertension, and migraines.

Shiatsu literally means "finger pressure" in Japanese and refers to the Japanese version of acupressure.

Reiki (pronounced "ray-kee") means "universal life energy." It is a gentle hands-on or sometimes no-touch technique for channeling this energy to promote healing. In Reiki, the practitioner places both hands, palms down, side by side or end to end, on or near the person's body in twelve separate locations. This technique may relieve pain and anxiety, create health-promoting physiological change, and almost always leaves the participant with a greater sense of the community of man- and womankind.

Tai Chi/Qigong are mind/body exercises that increase and harmonize the flow of chi or vital energy force. The main components of tai chi and qigong are management of the physical body (posture), in conjunction with stilling of the mind and control of the breath.

Therapeutic Touch is a method of hands-on healing in which the practitioner centers him- or herself, then runs his or her hands lightly over the client's body while attuning themselves to any energetic disruption they might feel. If a practitioner feels a sensation of heat, cold, tingling, pulsation, electric shock, or tightness in a specific area, the practitioner then attempts to act as a conduit for the healing energy present all around us to help balance or heal the area in need. Documented benefits of therapeutic touch include relaxation and pain reduction.

Traditional Chinese medicine
An ancient complete system of medicine and healthcare that is based on the concept of balanced qi, or vital energy, that flows throughout the body. Components of traditional Chinese medicine include herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, acupressure, and massage.

Yoga literally translated, means "union." The practice of yoga seeks to unite body, mind, and spirit in a balanced manner through the use of 'asanas," or postures, diet and nutrition, meditation, breathwork and relaxation. There are many types or paths of yoga. However, hatha yoga is probably the best known style in the United States. Yoga enhances flexibility and vitality while also strengthening body functions, such as circulation, elimination, respiration and digestion. It can be used in association with or apart from any religious practice.