Page 4 - Terminology-Naturopathy

Ai Chi: Is a form of aquatic exercise used for recreation, medical qualification. In natural health contexts, therapy
relaxation, fitness, and physical rehabilitation. Clinical Ai is the preferred term for self-care whereas treatment
Chi is distinguished as a specialized active form of aquatic or medicine is the preferred term for professional care
therapy. In essence, Ai Chi uses breathing techniques administered by another person. Alternative therapies is,
and progressive resistance training in water to relax and thus, the preferred term for self-care alternative healing
strengthen the body, based on elements of qigong and Tai methods and covers therapies like aromathreapy, herbal
chi chuan. medicines, visualization, meditation, and yoga.

Aikido: A Japanese martial art developed in the first half Amma therapy: Is a form of massage that combines
of the 20th century. A combination of the martial and the Oriental medical principles concerning the balance and
religious and political ideologies of the founder, Morihei flow of energy with a Western approach to the healing of
Ueshiba, it is founded on a combination of jiu jitsu styles. organ dysfunction. The technique involves stretching,
Philosophically, it teaches that all people should be united kneading, stroking, and percussion. Amma is an extremely
in a “heaven on earth”. In addition to the full body workout specialized form of massage therapy rooted in a philosophy
and discipline that you will receive in practising Aikido, the based on Taoism dating back about 5000 years to the period
wrist stretches that are used in the warm up are excellent of the legendary Yellow Emperor of China.
for preventing repetitive strain injury. Types of injuries
include: tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, Anabolic: Constructive metabolism; the synthesis in living
trigger finger, and cubital tunnel syndrome. organisms of more complex substances from simpler ones
(opposed to catabolism).
Alexander technique: Is a method that works to change
(movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple Anabolism: The constructive phase of metabolism, in
and practical method for improving ease and freedom which the body cells synthesize protoplasm for growth and
of movement, balance, support and coordination. The repair; the opposite of catabolism. The manner in which
technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of this synthesis takes place is directed by the genetic code
effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy carried by the molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or The “building blocks” for this synthesis of protoplasm are
exercises, but rather a re-education of the mind and body. obtained from amino acids and other nutritive elements in
This therapeutic technique aims to improve health and the diet.
reduce pain.
Analeptic: Restorative or stimulating effect on central
Allopathic: A term used to describe the dominant medical nervous system.
philosophy of conventional medicine. Dorland’s Medical
Dictionary defines allopathy as “a system of therapeutics Analgesic: Relieve pain.
in which diseases are treated by producing a condition Anaphrodisiac: Reduces capacity for sexual arousal.
incompatible with or antagonistic to the condition to be
cured or alleviated.” The term can also be used to describe Anesthetic: Induces loss of sensation or consciousness due
any type of treatment that is used with the intention of to the depression of nerve function.
treating or controlling symptoms. This is also sometimes
call “mechanistic” medicine. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT): Animal-assisted and
pet therapy are types of therapy that use animals trained
Alterative: Gradually restore the proper function of to provide affection and comfort to people in a variety of
the body and increase health and vitality (from Latin places including hospitals, retirement or nursing homes,
alterativum). mental health facilities and schools.

Alternative medicine: Any treatments or medicines Anorectic: An anorectic or anorexic, also known as
that fall outside the realm of “conventional” or Western anorexigenic, anorexiant, or appetite suppressant, is a
medicine. Forms of alternative medicine include dietary supplement and/or drug which reduces appetite,
acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, energy therapies, resulting in lower food consumption, leading to weight
herbal medicine, homeopathy, magnetic field therapy, loss.
naturopathic medicine, and reiki.
Anthelmintic: Also called antithelmintics, are a group
Alternative therapy: A term given to nonconventional of anti-parasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms
therapy usually given by persons who do not have a (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body

4 AlphaScienceLabs.com