Welcome to Excelon Health

Helpful Definitions in Natural Health and Alternative Medicine:

Alternative medicine:    Medical practices and systems that are not within “conventional medicine” which is medicine as it is typically practiced within the US today. Therapies that are considered “alternative medicine” in the US may be part of main-stream medical practice in other countries. Also called natural medicine, complementary medicine or natural healthcare.

Holistic medicine:    Any medical system that addresses the body as a whole, in which all systems depend on the health of other systems. Holistic medicines work to improve the health of the body as a whole, instead of working only on one system (such as cardiology, or pulmonology). Naturopathy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, ayurveda and chiropractic medicine are all holistic.

Integrative medicine:    The use and combination of both conventional and alternative therapies. Naturopathic medicine is considered integrative.

Alternative medical systems:    Complete systems of healthcare theory and practice designed to be able to treat all medical problems that may arise within a population, which have been developed outside of the Western biomedical approach. Naturopathy, TCM, homeopathy and ayurveda are considered medical systems.

Ayurvedic medicine:    A holistic system of natural healthcare that has been practiced in India for centuries which uses natural means to balance a person’s constitutional type, or dosha.

Naturopathic medicine:    A system of medicine that uses of therapies that are predominantly natural and non-toxic including clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, orthomolecular medicine, hydrotherapy, physical medicine and counseling. Naturopaths function within an integrated framework and often work in conjunction with their patient’s MDs and specialists (such as oncologists, cardiologists and endocrinologists).

Chiropractic medicine:    The use of physical manipulations of the body, especially the spine, to ensure that neuromuscular function is optimal and to boost the overall health of the body by ensuring good blood flow and nerve conduction to all organs and tissues. Often used for chronic pain, sinus infections and a variety of other health concerns.

Homeopathy:    A system of holistic medicine based on the principle of “like cures like.” It is the use of tiny doses of a substance that would cause the symptoms a patient is experiencing in order to help the patient’s body to understand the symptoms and to heal them from within. This is used as a main-stream system of medicine throughout India and Europe.

Orthomolecular medicine:    The use of nutritional and food supplements for preventative and therapeutic purposes. Supplements are usually used in combination and at high doses, for example niacin for cholesterol and heart health, or selenium to help prevent cancer.

Traditional Chinese Medicine:    A system of holistic medicine developed in Asia and used for centuries which focuses on bringing the body and the energy flow within the body back into balance. TCM includes Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and a variety of physical therapies such as Tui-na, Gua-sha, and cupping in addition to diet and exercise.

Acupuncture:    One component of TCM, acupuncture is the use of extremely thin needles inserted precisely into particular spots on the body to strengthen or tonify the flow of qi, or the body’s energy through particular channels, called meridians.

Massage Therapy:    This is a blanket term used to describe dozens of styles of physical medicine in which the hands are used to manipulate soft-tissues to relax muscles, release scar tissue and areas of tightness, improve circulation, and improve structural alignment.

Aesthetics:    Skin care specifically for cosmetic purposes to retain or restore a youthful appearance to the skin. Can be conventional (pharmaceutically based) or natural depending on the choice of topical applications.

Rolfing:    A form of soft-tissue structural rebalancing and alignment developed by Ida Rolf and used to make the body more symmetrical and balanced, relieve chronic pain and improve athletic performance.

Doula:    A type of care that focuses on making pregnant women more comfortable and relaxed before, during and after the labor and delivery process. This type of practitioner works alongside midwife or OB-GYNs.

Midwifery:    Natural systems of childbirth that use various methods to make childbirth safer and more comfortable without using pharmaceutical medications.

Relationship Counseling:    Relationship counseling involves talking with the parties of a relationship separately in an effort to recognize and to better manage differences, repeating patterns, poor communication and distress. The relationship involved may be between members of a family, a romantic relationship, employees or employers in a workplace, or between a professional and a client.

Life Coaching:    Life coaching is a practice with the stated aim of helping clients determine and achieve personal goals. Life coaches use multiple methods to help clients set and reach goals. Coaching is not targeted at psychological illness, but rather at performance.

Gay and Lesbian Counseling:    Gay and Lesbian counseling is a system of therapy that focuses on the unique issues experienced by the gay, lesbian and transgender communities. Often topics such as coming out, relationship roles, prejudice, identity and general relationship counseling are discussed.

Swedish Massage:    Swedish massage utilizes long, flowing or gliding strokes, of six basic types. Common sensations are kneading movements with the whole palm or finger tips, wringing, skin rolling, compression and/or lifting. Oil, cream or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes. Swedish massage is used to promote circulation and relaxation and a sense of calm and wellbeing.

Deep Tissue Massage:    Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Very little lubricant is used for Deep Tissue massage as the pressure doesn't travel much over the skin. The most commonly used tools during Deep Tissue massage may include reinforced fingers, knuckles, a flat elbow, opposing thumbs, the heel of the hand or foot and the forearm. Deep Tissue is similar to Myofascial Release.

Reflexology:    Reflexology, also called Foot Zone Therapy, is traditionally practiced without lotion, as the pressure points on the feet are stimulated by thumb and finger walking, as well as static pressure. Reflexologist believe that the ailment of an internal organ will be associated with the nerve ending on the sole of the foot. Reflexology is based on a perceived energetic flow of "meridians' in the body, also known as Chi.

Sports Massage:    Sports massage is a form of bodywork geared toward athletes and performed fully clothed. It's used to help prevent injuries, to prepare the body for athletic events and maintain optimal athletic condition. Sports massage also help athletes recover form workouts and injuries. Sports massage has three basic forms: pre-event, post-event and maintenance massage.

N.M.T. or Neuromuscular Therapy:    Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific trigger points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body to balance the central nervous system. NMT is used to locate and release spasms, eliminate trigger points that cause referred pain and rebuild the strength of injured tissues. N.M.T. restores postural alignment, proper biomechanics and flexibility to tissues.

Shiatsu:    Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage the uses thumb pressure and works along the same energy meridians as acupressure and incorporates stretching. While receiving Shiatsu, the client is fully clothed while lying on mat on the floor.

Myofascial Release:    Myofascial Release refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument and muscles with the goal of eliminating pain and increasing range of motion. Injuries, stress, trauma, overuse and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Myofascial release techniques are believed to lengthen tight/facilitated muscles.