H
Hair analysis may refer to two different concepts:
Hakomi therapy is a type of ‘somatic’ or ‘body’ psychotherapy which takes a holistic approach, drawing on many different theories and belief systems. The ultimate aim is to help people change the way they interact with the world and in so doing change core beliefs, resulting in a far more harmonious way of living.
Lomi lomi massage is the traditional name for the massage therapy sometimes referred to as Hawaiian massage. Rather than simply being a massage therapy though, lomi lomi is more of a holistic healing tradition which is gaining in popularity in Europe and Japan and is obviously especially popular in Hawaii too.
Healing touch is an energy therapy which uses gentle hand techniques, and is based on the idea that humans have an energy field which can be manipulated so as to assist the body’s natural healing process.
Heliotherapy is a type of light therapy. It is a term which has been adopted by the tanning and spa industry to describe this, a medical form of light therapy, which is essentially a glorified term for sunbathing!
Helminthic therapy is the use of parasitic worms, known as helminths, in order to treat autoimmune diseases and immune disorders.
Herbal medicine is also referred to as herbalism, herbology and phytotherapy, though all these names encompass the main principal, which is the use of plants and plant extracts as a traditional or folk medicine.
Hippotherapy is a type of therapy which is specifically designed for use with horses in order to improve physical, occupational and speech functions of the clients who use it. It is called this because it comes from the Greek word for ‘horse’, which is ‘hippo’.
Holistic medicine, or holistic health as it is also known, is frequently associated with alternative medicine, although it is in fact being used more regularly in conventional medicine practice in the Western world. Unlike ‘alternative medicine’, holistic medicine uses all possible avenues as a way of treatment, including drugs and surgery if necessary.
Homeopathy is an alternative medicine which is based on the assumption that illness is caused by disturbances in our life force, and that this life force is able to react and change to both internal and external causes, referred to as ‘the law of susceptibility’. This law states that by having negative thoughts, our minds can more easily attract diseases.
‘Laughter is the best medicine’ is true to a certain extent — as it is believed by the medical world that laughter can extend our life expectancy, improve our health, and improve our overall well-being. There are actually several forms of therapy related to this, including humour therapy, clown therapy, laughter therapy and laughter meditation. However humour therapy is actually practiced as a psychological therapy.
Hydrotherapy is the use of water for treating diseases and for soothing pains, and was previously known as ‘hydropathy’.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also known as hyperbaric medicine, and involves the use of oxygen at higher pressures than usually experienced with atmospheric pressure.
Hypnotherapy during childbirth and pregnancy is becoming increasingly popular as mothers realise the benefits that this can bring to both themselves and their babies.
Hypnotherapy is a technique whereby the patient/client is put into a hypnotised state for the purpose of helping them with a number of conditions.