Natural Health Basics

Holistic health is a non-medical path to well-being. It sees the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and balanced. Advocates of holistic health typically use a wide variety of alternative practices, the most common of which include: Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Massage Therapy, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Osteopathy, and Physical Therapy.

Acupuncture
The practice of acupuncture is based on the philosophy of yin and yang—two opposite forces that govern all aspects of life, including health. Ailments result from an imbalance of these two forces, which is caused by the disruption or blockage of energy, or chi, in the body.

Acupuncturists commonly use thin metal needles as a means of stimulation to points along specific energy pathways, or meridians, to help chi flow freely. Massage, heat, lasers and magnets are also used as an alternative to the needles.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils extracted from herbs, trees and plants for therapeutic purposes. Aromatherapists can recommend personally tailored scents for specific ailments, or to promote well-being.

Treatment generally involves the mixing of essential oils with a neutral one, such as vegetable oil. Three examples of application include having the mixed oil spread over the body in a massage, added to bathwater or inhaled.

Chiropractic
Focusing on the vital relationship between the nervous system and your health, chiropractic restores health and well being by removing spinal nerve interference known as vertebral subluxation. This is done, without the aid of drugs or surgery, most commonly to help treat various problems involving bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Generally, a chiropractor manually applies a controlled force to the problem area, alleviating inflammation, reduced mobility or pain. Chiropractors are also trained to give advice on lifestyle and dietary changes.

Dentistry
The health of your teeth can impact your overall health. Did you know that gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes? With nearly a third of Americans susceptible to gum disease, dental health is key to well-being. While daily dental hygiene is imperative, preventive care is just as crucial.

Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine that treats illnesses through the use of extreme dilutions of herbs, animal substances and chemical compounds. The term homeopathy comes from the Greek homeo meaning "similar," and pathos meaning "suffering." Samuel Hahnemann, an 18th-century German physician, coined the term in 1796.

Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage, manipulating body tissue with the hands, heals muscles and promotes better circulation. It is effective for patients who suffer a range of conditions from arthritis to paralysis and is often used to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a blend of different therapies, all attempting to restore the body to health in the most natural way possible. Based on the idea that the body has the innate ability to fight disease, its techniques are noninvasive and designed to stimulate the body's natural healing powers.

Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Nutrition and diet therapies educate people about the connection between food and health. Nutritionists and dietitians promote good eating habits to help prevent disease and to treat preexisting conditions. They work with a patient's unique biological makeup to plan a diet regimen that will facilitate his or her return to optimal health.

Osteopathy
Osteopaths practice medicine just like medical doctors. But osteopaths are distinguished by their holistic philosophy. They believe a proper working musculoskeletal system is at the core of a person's well-being. These physicians use techniques like osteopathic manipulative treatment, to help diagnose illness and injury and encourage healing.

Physical Therapy
Following extensive assessment and diagnosis of a disease or disability, physical therapy seeks to rehabilitate the body through movement and touch. Exercise and massage are two main applications of therapeutic treatment. Patients of physical therapy include accident victims and sufferers of debilitating conditions such as strokes, lower back pain, head injuries, heart disease and cerebral palsy.

Health Professionals in Philadelphia

Christopher Hudson LAc, DiplAc Acupuncturist	send email
"I deliver top quality, attentive, highly personalized and compassionate care to my patients. It is backed up with 14 years of being in practice, experience of working in a Clinical Situation with ..." See full profile	1601 Walnut Street Suite 1326, Medical Arts Building Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 (215) 292-9264
Weiying Zhang LAc, MD, MPH Acupuncturist	send email
"I am a licensed Acupuncturist in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. My goal is to facilitate healing in a nurturing, professional, and supportive atmosphere. My practise will bring the best oriental ..." See full profile	525 S 4th St Suite 479 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147 (215) 695-3288
David Schiman LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"My practice is called Roxborough Community Acupuncture (RCA). My sliding scale for all patients is $20 - $35. I provide safe, effective acupuncture in comfy, reclining chairs. Most people fall asleep, or ..." See full profile	445 Lyceum Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128 (267) 417-0147
Jeffrey A Sklar DC Chiropractor	send email
"I treat patients ranging from infancy to senior-hood. The ailments that patients suffer may be as mild as muscle tightness due to stress or as severe as migraine headaches and sciatic neuralgia. ..." See full profile	325 Cherry Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 (215) 627-6279
Cherrylyn Arnillo CMT Massage Therapist	send email
"Body muscles go through wear and tear during intense or repititious activity and by having effective bodywork rehab using massage can restore it's balance.I am best suited with clients who need deeper ..." See full profile	2041 Chestnut St Apt 25 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (215) 908-5548
Elizabeth Liddell LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"My patients and I work together to incorporate acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine into their self-care plan to treat chronic illness, heal from health crises, reduce stress and optimize their quality of ..." See full profile	7152 Germantown Avenue Suite 200 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119 (215) 247-4080
Marnie Boccella LAc, LSW Acupuncturist	send email
"Together with my husband, Dan Johnson, a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, I have co-founded a practice called Still Waters Holistic Health Therapies. Our practice provides health and wellness services to the Philadelphia ..." See full profile	830 N Bucknell Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130 (215) 769-1496
Yuqin Wang LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"We were MD's in China 18 years ago who practiced Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in combination at Harbin Medical University for 30 years when immigrated to the US. We had ..." See full profile	2401 Pennsylvania Ave Suite 1A2 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130 (215) 978-1938
April Kay LAc, CRNP Acupuncturist	send email
"I believe that health is a manifestation of balance, both within the body itself and between the body and the external environment. When the body is internally balanced and in harmony with ..." See full profile	The Philadelphian 2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 1A10 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130 (215) 429-5526
Adam Schreiber LOM, DiplOM, MAOM Acupuncturist	send email
"My ideal client is someone who is motivated to help themself. I am always interested in helping people learn how to take better care of themselves so that, ultimately, they will need ..." See full profile	2000 Hamilton St Suite 303 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130 (215) 564-4880

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