10 Best Alternative Therapies For Combating Mental Health Issues

Unknowingly, we all have been using alternative therapy methods for ages! Alternative therapy methods are not new for us; you will be quite amazed that they are the same old.

However, some technical terms confuse us. Alternative therapy is the treatment method that is not considered in traditional medicine techniques but they are used alongside them. To make you understand in a simple language, alternative therapy works like a catalyst, it helps us in improving the speed of our recovery or it helps to combat our mental health issues easily.

Most people take the help of alternative therapies so that they can feel better. If you are also bored of attending therapy sessions, you can use alternative therapies alongside to make your therapy sessions and overall well being more positive and happy.

Alternative therapy types not only improve our recovery speed but also provide us with a sensation of calmness and peacefulness. In this blog, let’s discuss the 10 best alternative therapies for combating mental health issues.

How Alternative Therapies Are Categorized?

There are various types of complementary or alternative therapies. Some of the therapies are evolved into a conventional therapy system. Alternative therapies can be classified into four categories:

• Nutritional Approach

This approach is based on dietary supplements, diets, herbs, probiotics, and more.

• Physical Approach

This includes therapies like massages and acupuncture.

• Physiological Approach

This approach is based on practices like hypnotherapy and meditation.

• Combination of Physical and Physiological Approach

This combination alternative therapy approach is based on therapies that benefit the body and mind simultaneously like tai chi, dance, yoga, and more.

10 Best Alternative Therapies

1.Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most widely used forms of the alternative therapy technique. It is a Chinese technique that involves sticking pointed needles to the acupuncture points of the body. Initially, it was used as a natural pain-relieving technique as it stimulates specific muscles and pain.

It helps in releasing pain-relieving hormones in the body. But, nowadays, it can also be used for treating complex mental health issues like acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCPD, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

2.Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian practice that is getting recognition from all over the world. Ayurveda focuses on treating health issues by using herbs, diet techniques, or massages. Ayurveda typically revolves around the purification process like special diets, herbal remedies, mantra meditation, yoga, and more.

It can be used for treating physical health issues like Type 2 diabetes, colitis, and more. But, it can also be used for treating mental health issues like schizophrenia, anxiety, and cognitive and neurological disorders. If you want to learn more about the Ayurveda branch which deals with mental health disorders, you can look for “MANOVIKARA” on the internet.

3.Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractic medicine is the form of alternative therapy with an aim to ease any type of pain in the body and it also helps in improving the overall functioning of the body. It is practiced by a person known as a chiropractor.

This type of therapy uses specific techniques which manipulate certain points in the body like the spine, skeletal system, and joints which help to align our body. It can also be used for treating sleeping issues, stiffness, migraines, inability to relax, racing thoughts, and more.

4.Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicines are the parts of plant-like seeds, roots, leaves, or flowers which are processed to treat conditions like allergies, pains, and disorders. They are also available in the form of pills, lotions, tea, and powders. Herbal medicine has always been in question of controversies because usage of some herbs can have dangerous or harmful reactions.

However, some herbs are used as a tea to relieve anxiety and everyday stress. Therefore, before using any herb as a medicine always check for allergies and reactions. Or you can also consult with your therapist before consuming any herbal medicine. Some common herbs which are used for treating mental health conditions are St John’s Wort for depression, green tea for alleviating relaxing hormones, and more.

5.Homeopathy

Homeopathy revolves around using liquid substances for treating chronic disorders like blood pressure, asthma, and more. Homeopathy is based on the principle that substances that cause symptoms can be used for treating symptoms. It can also be used for treating mental health conditions like anxiety, panic attacks, and more. Mostly homeopathy is used for treating mild anxiety.

6.Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is performed by using hypnosis. It is also one of the common methods used to treat some mental health conditions. The process of hypnosis revolves around being guided to a relaxed state by a hypnotherapist and accessing your subconscious beliefs and thoughts.

The therapist tries to give suggestions to the client so that they can gain encouragement to change their negative behavior and symptoms can be relieved from the body. Hypnosis is commonly used for treating stress management and addiction. However, it can also be used to treat anxiety, grief, loss, conflicts, PTSD, sleep disorders, phobias, and other complex mental health issues.

7.Massage

We are all familiar with massages. We all do massages to relieve our pain or stress. But we have never used massages as a treatment option. But do you know it can also be used for treating mental and physical health issues? Like simply kneading your soft tissues can provide you feelings of relaxation and calm in just a minute.

There are different types of massages which can be used to achieve relaxation from anything. it totally depends on the type of massage, the way you do it, and the way you achieve it. Massages can be used to treat mental health issues like anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic disorder, stress, and more.

8.Meditation

We all agree on the fact that meditation is one of the oldest and most widely accepted practices in the world. It’s still trending because of its various health benefits. Meditation is soothing and relaxing in every way.

You can do meditation anytime, anywhere, with anything! That’s my way of doing meditation! And, it’s quite therapeutic for the whole body. Meditation can be used for treating various mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depression, sleeping issues, and more. There are various types of meditation techniques like:

• So Hum Meditation
• Chocolate Meditation
• Music Meditation
• Spiritual Meditation
• Mandala Meditation

9.Reiki

Reiki is an ancient Japanese practice that is getting accepted all over the world because it is being used to channel our inner energy. It is based on an aim to make clients believe that they have “life force energy” within their body, and this energy can be used to restore different positive energies within the body. Basically, it’s a type of energy therapy that can be used to treat mental health issues like reducing stress and tension, overcoming sleep issues, and promoting harmony and balance in the body. If you wish to learn more about Reiki, click below:

The Healing Power of Reiki

10.Yoga

For some people, Yoga is a form of exercise.  But do you know its main purpose is to work as a healing technique? It is an ancient Indian practice which can be used to improve overall well being. Yoga can be used to treat stress, anxiety, depression, pain management, and more issues. However, if you’re a beginner, it is advised to practice with an experienced person or instructor to avoid strain and sprains.

Uses of Alternative Therapies

Almost every one of us has used alternative therapies for treating mental health or physical health issues knowingly or unknowingly. Since alternative therapies are used alongside instead of using them specifically for treating a condition, they can be used to treat various mental health issues like:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Chronic Pain
• Controlling negative thoughts
• Staying positive
• Boosting immune system

Effectiveness of Alternative Therapies

Research and various studies show that alternative therapies can be used effectively for treating mental health issues in combination with traditional therapy approaches. While alternative therapies like massage, yoga, and meditation are widely used and accepted, other therapy approaches like Reiki, hypnotherapy, and homeopathy are still in question.

Some of the approaches have been used since ancient times, therefore, yes; some of them are really effective for recovery and can be used as an alternative or in combination without any questions or safety concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the most commonly used alternative therapy option?

Meditation, yoga, and massages are the most commonly used alternative therapy options.

2.Who uses alternative therapy?

According to the survey, 36% of US adults are using alternative therapy approaches alongside traditional therapy.

3.Why do clients use alternative therapies?

They are the best option because they provide speedy recovery along with the sensations of calmness and peacefulness.

4.What are the examples of alternative therapy?

Examples of alternative therapy are hypnotherapy, herbs, Reiki, homeopathy, Ayurveda, acupuncture, and more.

I hope this blog helps you with the 10 best alternative therapies for mental health. Comment down and share your views on the same. For more such informational content, connect with us on all social media platforms.

Thanks for reading!

Happy recovery ☺