Holistic therapies healthy despite recession
\nWritten by Jacqui D. Sinarle
\nAs the costs of conventional medicine skyrocket, more Americans are seeking alternative or holistic health practices as a means to cure their ills.
\nIt\u2019s a trend that many feel will gain momentum as the costs of traditional health care continue to increase.
\n\u201cWith changes afoot regarding mainstream health care, more people will explore the option of alternative services that are effective, affordable, and typically free of annoying red tape,\u201d asserted Ginny Lucas, PhD, doctor of clinical hypnosis and director of Evergreen Professional Hypnotherapy in Stockton and Modesto.
\nAccording to the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA), 4 in 10 adults in the United States use some form of complementary and alternative medicine\u2014defined as practices and products such as hypnotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic that aren\u2019t considered to be an integral part of conventional medicine. The AHMA reported that Americans spent $34 billion on complementary and alternative medicine in 2007, most frequently because of chronic back, neck or joint pain.
\nAs the public\u2019s demand for alternative health services grows, more hospitals and medical centers are integrating complementary and alternative medical practices into their programs, and more health plans are offering discounts and\/or coverage for certain complementary and alternative medicine treatments, when they are prescribed by medical doctors.
\nInterest in chiropractic care has increased, according to Brian W. Crawford, D.C., president of Crawford Chiropractic Inc. in Stockton.<\/p>\n
\u201cChiropractic is the largest natural health care in North America today,\u201d said Dr. Crawford. \u201cChiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.\u201d
\nChiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints like back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
\nBusiness has fluctuated throughout the recession at Wing Chun and Body Remedy in Stockton, which provides energetic body balancing, crystalogy, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and QiGong to help clients improve their physical, mental, and emotional health.
\n\u201cBusiness varies due to the economic strain right now,\u201d reported owner Sonia Linda Carbonel.
\nWhile Wing Chun\u2019s services are not currently covered by health insurance. Carbonel predicts a positive future for holistic health. \u201cAlternative health practices should remain affordable and constantly informative,\u201d Carbonel said. \u201cPeople are becoming more interested (in alternative health therapies) because of the naturalness of some of the alternative services, the ability to feel better without prescribed drugs, and the feeling of having more control over their health and lives.\u201d
\nAlthough business at Evergreen Professional Hypnotherapy is down from its peak, Dr. Lucas said, \u201cWe\u2019re still busy and profitable.\u201d
\nHypnotherapy is sometimes covered by health insurance and the client base at Evergreen hasn\u2019t changed since 1992, Dr. Lucas noted. Evergreen assists clients with habit modification, enhanced healing, improved self-confidence and self-esteem.
\n\u201cRequests for smoking cessation predominate, mostly due to heightened awareness of health hazards and the rising cost of cigarettes,\u201d Dr. Lucas said, \u201cClients also request services to assist in weight loss, due to heightened awareness and a widespread understanding of how hypnosis gives you a sense of control and the confidence and motivation to make healthier choices consistently, without a sense of deprivation.\u201d
\nComments
\n\u00b7 Friday, 05 August 2011 04:43 posted by Ginny Lucas, PhD
\nThanks, Jacqui, for your interest and coverage. I would like to clarify, however, that while I founded Evergreen Professional Hypnotherapy in 1992 (named Stockton’s Small Business of the Year in 2003) the affiliate office in Modesto is owned and operated by James Rightmire, CCH. He has recently relocated to a larger office at 614 Scenic Drive, Ste. 204. Along with behavior modification we treat many physical conditions that have emotional components.
\n\u00b7 Friday, 05 August 2011 01:17 posted by Gina Vance
\nWith “Wellness” Centers popping up in many a strip-mall nowadays, it’s too bad this article was buried in the paper and that the listing of practitioners was so short. I know of a couple dozen others here in Modesto that could have easily been on the list. If you follow up in the future, I would be happy to introduce you to a wider range of wellness practitioners and Centers. Not bad copy for a professional writer though. Good luck to you Jacqui.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Holistic therapies healthy despite recession Written by Jacqui D. Sinarle As the costs of conventional medicine skyrocket, more Americans are seeking alternative or holistic health practices as a means to cure their ills. It\u2019s a trend that many feel will gain momentum as the costs of traditional health care continue to increase. \u201cWith changes afoot… <\/p>\n