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 San Francisco

Jeremy Strickland CMT Massage Therapist	send email
"If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or a lack of energy, I can help. The treatments I provide integrate over 12 years of professional experience with modern therapeutic massage techniques, energy therapies ..." See full profile	999 Sutter St. Suite 5 San Francisco, California 94109 (415) 341-6288
Winnie Chin LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"I am a practitioner of traditional Japanese acupuncture and have studied extensively with master acupuncturist Koji Ichihashi of the Kurumadani School of Japan. Japanese acupuncture technique involves shallow insertion of very thin, ..." See full profile	870 Market Street Suite 767 San Francisco, California 94102 (415) 269-1212
Sheilah Rogers LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"I tend to treat many people with common complaints such as pain, allergies, digestive or sleep disorders, stress and the like. Feel free to call me to discuss how Chinese medicine may ..." See full profile	862 Folsom Street (at Fourth Street) San Francisco, California 94107 (415) 730-4144
Harriet Beinfield LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"We at Chinese Medicine Works offer caring and effective acupuncture, herbal remedies, and nutritional counseling for a wide variety of complaints. Harriet Beinfield, LAc, and Efrem Korngold, LAc OMD, have been pioneers ..." See full profile	1201 Noe Street San Francisco, California 94114 (415) 285-0931
Stacy M Menz Physical Therapist	send email
"My staff and I work with children with wide spectrum of disabling conditions, including, but not limited to Cerebral Palsy, Autism, PDD, Angelman's Syndrome, Dyspraxia, developmental delay, TBI, Rett Syndrome, hypotonia and ..." See full profile	1405 Van Ness Avenue #204 San Francisco, California 94109 (415) 346-3853
Max Utter MS, NCTMB, CSCS, NLC Massage Therapist	send email
"I do pain relief therapy through bodywork, stretching, corrective exercise and nutrition as well as weight management, personal training and nutrition lectures. More about me and my qualifications can be found at ..." See full profile	1162-B Gorgas Avenue San Francisco, California 94129 (415) 216-6375
Sarah K Fink LAc, MS, CMT Acupuncturist	send email
"I incorporate Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, dietary & lifestyle guidance, and NAET in my practice. Each treatment is personalized to address the condition and goals of each individual. I work closely with ..." See full profile	605 Chenery Street Suite C San Francisco, California 94131 (415) 271-7015
Oliver C. Chu OMD, LAc Acupuncturist	send email
"Oliver's journey into healing arts began in 1982. He received extensive apprenticeship training in the States, Hong Kong, and Beijing under several reputable physicians, esoteric healers of Eastern medicine, and venerable masters ..." See full profile	(by appointment only) 1439 Ocean Avenue San Francisco, California 94112 (415) 505-8877
Effie Chow PhD, RN, LAc(CA) Acupuncturist	send email
"I offer Healing Seminars for Self, Others and the Planet by practicing a Holistic Approach encompassing the Body, Mind and Spirit across America and the World, from Romania to Spain to Canada. ..." See full profile	117 Topaz Way San Francisco, California 94131 (415) 285-9400
Daniel W. Ng Acupuncturist	send email
"Are you looking for an Alternative Health Care provider who will take the time to listen, and would truly like to help you? I am a California licensed acupuncturist with a PhD. in ..." See full profile	4444 Geary Blvd Ste 211 San Francisco, California 94118 (415) 386-7169

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