Ayurveda is Sanskrit for the science of life and is a form of medicine that has been practiced in India for thousands of years. Ayurvedic medicine places equal emphasis on the body, mind, and spirit and uses herbs, yoga, diet, meditation, massage, exposure to the sun, and breathing exercises to restore natural harmony and balance to the body. An ayurvedic doctor identifies an individual’s “constitution” or overall health profile by determining his or her metabolic body type (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) through an assessment of personal history. The individual’s “constitution” then becomes the foundation for a specific plan of treatment designed to guide the individual back into balance with the environment.

The roots of Chinese medicine, on which acupuncture, massage, and herbal therapy are based, date back as far as to the Shang dynasty (1000 B.C.). One of the major underpinnings of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the belief that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi or chi) present in all living things, which are essential for health and well-being. When these patterns of energy flow become disrupted or blocked, illness and/or disease results. Within the system of energy pathways, or meridians, there are over 1,000 acupoints that can be stimulated through the insertion of needles. Hence, the practice of acupuncture is believed to help correct and rebalance the flow of energy and restore health. Acupuncture is frequently used to treat both acute conditions and chronic pain, and has shown promise in treating arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and low-back pain.

This system of medical practice is based on the Law of Similars, or the theory that any substance that can produce symptoms of disease or illness in a healthy individual can cure those symptoms in a sick individual. Administered in diluted form, homeopathic remedies are derived from plant, animal, and mineral sources. Numbering in the thousands, these over-the-counter natural remedies have been used to treat a variety of ailments including allergies, asthma, influenza, headaches, and indigestion. Homeopathy offers a low-risk, affordable approach to many acute and chronic conditions. Although individuals have used homeopathy for self-care/healing for many years, the optimal effect is realized only when the “proper” remedy is selected. Homeopathic remedies are now widely available in drug stores and health food stores, but are often marketed as standard drugs, meaning, a specific remedy or combination of remedies is indicated for each condition. However, the classic prescribing of homeopathic remedies is based on the personal characteristics and symptoms of the particular individual rather than the specific condition, which is extremely important in treating serious health conditions. Although not harmful, selection of an incorrect remedy will simply have no effect, often resulting in the dismissal of this treatment approach prematurely. For this reason, it is best to consult a well-trained and experienced homeopath for the best results. Keeping this in mind, a listing of some of the homeopathic remedies commonly recommended for specific rheumatic conditions are given here (dosages are indicated by letters and numbers, such as “12 C”).

This broad system of medicine is based on the theory that the body is a self-regulating mechanism with the natural ability to maintain a state of health and wellness. Emphasis is placed on employing healthy practices (prevention) and self-healing. Practitioners of naturopathy generally elect to avoid invasive procedures and the use of synthetic drugs, and try to cure illness and disease by harnessing the body’s natural healing powers. This is accomplished by the use of a combination of modalities from practices such as herbal medicine, homeopathic treatment, massage, dietary supplements, and other physical therapies. Causes of the illness, or root causes as they are sometimes referred to, are identified and treated using a holistic approach. The doctor assumes the role of an educator and a motivator to enable individuals to take responsibility for their own health. The relationship between the physician and patient, in essence, becomes part of the therapy.

The third largest independent health profession in the United States, this treatment modality involves adjustment of the spine and joints to influence the body’s nervous system and natural defense mechanisms to alleviate pain and improve general health. Chiropractors make their diagnosis based on physical examination, history, palpation of the spine, and often x-rays. An assumption of chiropractic is that health is a state of balance, particularly of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. When the spine is fully aligned, nerve energy flows freely to every cell and organ in the body. This free flow of energy nurtures the innate ability of the body to work optimally and coordinate normal body functions. There are three primary treatment goals: (a) to reduce or eliminate pain; (b) to correct the subluxation (or misalignment) of the spine; and (c) to offer preventive maintenance so that the problem does not recur. For the patient with rheumatism, chiropractic can be an effective adjunctive therapy for the back, neck, and shoulder syndromes, sciatica, muscle spasms, headaches, and arthritic conditions.

Therapeutic massage is a means of manipulating muscles and other soft tissues by rubbing, kneading, rolling, pressing, and tapping movements, causing them to relax and lengthen, thereby allowing for pain-relieving oxygen and blood to flow to the affected area(s). Benefits of massage can be experienced on physical, mental, and emotional levels. Massage relieves muscle tension and stiffness, reduces muscle spasm, speeds recovery from exertion, improves joint flexibility and motion, increases ease and efficiency of movement, improves posture, improves local circulation, induces a relaxed state of alertness, reduces anxiety, increases the feeling of well-being, and raises awareness of the mind-body connection. There are four major categories of massage and bodywork (with over 75 different methods).