• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amy Hoogervorst

Integrative Health and Wellness Coach

  • WHAT IS HEALTH COACHING?
  • ABOUT AMY
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
    • FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
    • MIND-BODY CONNECTION
    • MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND REST
    • NUTRITION
    • PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
    • RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
  • GET STARTED
    • SCHEDULE A FREE CALL
    • ACCESS FREE RESOURCES
    • VIEW ARCHIVED VIDEOS

Oct 11, 2017
SELF CARE

Step 11: Explore Complementary Therapies

yoga is one of several complementary therapies that can benefit a person's health holistically

Integrative health combines conventional approaches with complementary therapies.

Most of us are familiar with conventional (also known as Western or allopathic) medicine, as well as the MDs, nurses, and allied health professionals that provide it. But complementary therapies can be used alongside traditional medicine for a more holistic approach to health.

And if you’re going to be your own best health advocate, it’s important to educate yourself about different options.

What are complementary therapies?

Generally, complementary therapies fall into two subcategories: mind-body practices and natural products. Other therapies outside of these include traditional healers, Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, and naturopathy.

Let’s look at mind-body practices first.

This large and diverse group of procedures or techniques is administered or taught by trained practitioners or teachers. They include yoga, chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation, meditation, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

Also, relaxation techniques (breathing exercises, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation) fall under this category. And so do tai chi, qi gong, healing touch, hypnotherapy, and moving therapies.

These are the most commonly known:

  • Acupuncture
  • Yoga
  • Therapeutic massage

benefits of regular massage, one of several complementary therapies to conventional medicine

The other subcategory is natural products such as herbs, vitamins and minerals, and probiotics.

Before we get into detail here, I must disclose that I also am a distributor for a company that sells nutritional supplements and essential oils. You can read my full disclosure policy here.  I also use these products personally.

Getting started with complementary therapies

Yoga and therapeutic massage are among the easiest to start with because of the number of studios in business now. Ask friends for recommendations. Your medical doctors, chiropractor, gym owner and others who are interested in good health may have ideas, too.

Essential oils are nature’s original medicine, and it can be easy to get started with them. If you’re new to them, work with someone who will help you use them safely. And choose therapeutic essential oils that are certified by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA).

Again, I’m a distributor for a direct sales company, so if you purchase from the links below I will earn a commission. (But you will not pay more because of it.) My recommendation for beginners would be to start with either a Basic First Aid Oils Kit or the Create a Perfect Day kit.

The Create a Perfect Day kit is easy to use, with pre-diluted roller bottles. These oils, according to master aromatherapist Leiann King, help begin the day with purpose and clarity. They help end the day with gratitude. And they help productivity during the hours in between.

essential oils/aromatherapy is one of several complementary therapies to conventional medicine

What complementary therapies do you use?

I’d love to hear what you’ve used already and what you’ve considered using. Please comment below how any complementary therapies you’ve used have benefited your overall health.

Thanks for joining me for Step 11 in the “31 Steps to a Healthier You” series, part of #Write31Days 2017. You can read what the series is all about here and catch up on past posts. If you don’t want to miss a thing, subscribe to get each one in your inbox.

31 steps to a healthier you

Tweet
Share
Pin

Don’t Miss out

Join our newsletter to get all the latest!

Previous Post: « Get Enough Sleep for a Healthier You
Next Post: Get Moving if You Want to Age Well »

Primary Sidebar

MEET AMY

Hi! I'm Amy Hoogervorst, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, integrative health coach, and creative entrepreneur offering grace and space for a healthier you. Read More…

Latest on the Blog

Coaching is a partnership between a trained, professional coach and a client who wants or needs to reach particular goals or boost their personal and professional potential. Image is of two people shaking hands in partnership

People typically have questions about health coaching, whenever I introduce myself as a coach. And often, depending on the time someone has to talk, the questions start out general and then move to the specific and personal. Perhaps you have a few questions yourself. So today, let’s take a look at some of these frequently […]

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest on Instagram

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefo "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

#mondaymotivation #habits #excellence #healthyhabits #quotes #consistency #doyourbest #dontworryabouttherest #backontrack #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #integrativehealthcoach
How have you been wanting to challenge yourself ph How have you been wanting to challenge yourself physically? 

Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

But it's important to build in rest days, too. Taking regular breaks allows your body to recover and repair. Otherwise, you may risk overtraining and injury, or burnout. Rest days could mean chilling on the sofa or engaging in more active rest - taking a gentle walk, foam rolling, or practicing yoga.

What's your schedule of exercise, physical activity, and rest look like this week? What positive effects will that have in other areas of your life?

#letsmove #nctraildays2022 #run #walk #hike #rest #healthyaging #runningofthebulls8k #weekend #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #physicalactivity #letsgo #integrativehealthcoach
These English peas were so good, they're getting t These English peas were so good, they're getting their own post. 

First, shelling them took me back more than a few years to when I would shell butter beans and black-eyed peas alongside my grandmother and look forward to our supper together. 💚 We all have memories and associations attached to different foods. What are some of yours? How do they show up in the choices you make around eating?

Second, these peas were delicious and simple, boiled for one minute and seasoned with real butter and salt. What a gift! It's garden season, y'all. What are you most looking forward to preparing for yourself this summer?

#gardentreasures #eatyourveggies #communitysupportedagriculture #nourish #nutrition #connections #peasinapod #integrativehealthcoach #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #shellingpeas #eattherainbow
A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush ahead to June. What's something you want to remember and take with you from May? What's something you want to do differently in June? What will it take to start?

#graceandspaceforahealthieryou #pause #reflect #celebrate #beginagain #nature #nurture #nurtureyourself #letsmove #letseat #letssleep #letsrelax #letsdothis #springinnorthcarolina #integrativehealthcoach
Follow on Instagram

Tags

accountability anxiety best self books challenge choices coaching dreams exercise faith faith and sweat fitness friends goals habits health health coaching healthy eating healthy food healthy lifestyle holidays inflammation memories mindful mindfulness mindset movement nutrition perseverance personal growth PhotoOrganize Me photos recipes resources rest self-care sleep social media stewardship stories stress sugar wellness what i learned Youngevity
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • DISCLOSURES
  • CONTACT
© 2022 Amy Hoogervorst - All Rights Reserved

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Amy Hoogervorst
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.