Acupuncture: An ancient Oriental technique that stimulates the body’s ability to sustain and balance an electromagnetic life-force (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”) which is channeled in a continuous flow throughout the body via a network of “meridians”. Disease is understood as an imbalance in the meridian system. Diagnosis of an imbalance is made by “reading” the pulse, face, tongue and body energy. To correct it, a practitioner inserts acupuncture needles at specific points along the meridians to stimulate or disperse the flow of life force. Acupuncture principles include the yin and yang polarities and the associations of the five elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood with bodily organs.

Ayurveda: The oldest medical system known to man and a comprehensive spiritual teaching practiced in India for 4,000 years. It focuses on achieving and maintaining perfect health via the balance of the elements air, fire and water (illness is considered an excess of any element). A patient’s body type, determined according to Ayurveda principles, is the basis for individualized dietary regimens and other preventive therapeutic interventions. Ayurveda prescriptions might include purification procedures for the restoration of biological rhythms; experience of expanded consciousness through meditation; nutritional counseling; stress reduction; enhancing neuromuscular conditions; and behavioral modification.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement (BHRT): The treatment of the symptoms of menopause (and its male equivalent, andropause) through the use of hormones produced using raw materials derived from plant sources that have the same chemical structure as those naturally produced by the body. Many compounding pharmacies have staff trained in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), which is thought by its proponents to have fewer risks and side effects than traditional methods of hormone replacement.

Carbon Footprint: The total amount of carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, emitted over the full life cycle of a product or service. Also, stands for an individual or family’s total carbon dioxide contribution resulting from their activities, including energy use and vehicle driving habits.

Chinese Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the world’s oldest and most complete systems of holistic health care. It combines the use of medicinal herbs, acupuncture, food therapy, massage and therapeutic exercise, along with the recognition that wellness in mind, body and emotions depends on the harmonious flow of life-force energy (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”).

Colon Therapy: An internal bath that washes away old toxic waste accumulated along the walls of the colon. It is administered with pressurized water by a professional using special equipment. A colonic irrigation is the equivalent of approximately four to six enemas and cleans out matter that collects in the pockets and kinks of the colon. The treatment is used as both a corrective process and for prevention of disease. Colonics are used for ailments such as constipation, psoriasis, acne, allergies, headaches and the common cold.

Conscious Living: As we become increasingly aware of the interdependence of humans, animals and the planet, progressive businesses are concerning themselves with far more than the bottom line. They know that today’s consumers are willing to invest in what they believe in, from fair-trade goods to animal-friendly and environmentally sound products and services.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST): The practitioner applies manual therapeutic procedures to remedy distortions in the structure and function of the craniosacral mechanism—the brain and spinal cord, the bones of the skull, the sacrum and interconnected membranes. Craniosacral work is based upon two major premises: the bones of the skull can be manipulated because they never completely fuse; and the pulse of the cerebrospinal fluid can be balanced by a practitioner trained to detect pulse variations. CST, also referred to as cranial osteopathy, is used to treat chronic pain, migraine headaches, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), ear and eye problems, balance problems, learning difficulties, dyslexia and hyperactivity.

Crystal & Gem Therapy: Practitioners use quartz crystals and gemstones for therapeutic and healing purposes, asserting that the substances have recognizable energy frequencies and the capacity to amplify other frequencies in the body. They also absorb and store frequencies and can essentially be programmed to help effect healing. In the ancient art of ‘laying-on of stones,’ practitioners place crystals and gemstones on various parts of the body, corresponding to its chakra points (energy centers), in order to balance energy flow. 

Dental Health, Dentistry (Holistic): Regards the mouth as a microcosm of the entire body. The oral structures and the whole body are seen as a unit. Holistic dentistry often incorporates such methods as homeopathy, biocompatibility testing and nutritional counseling. Most holistic dentists emphasize wellness and preventive care, while avoiding (and often recommending the removal of silver-mercury fillings).

Feng Shui: The ancient Chinese art of positioning objects according to the laws of Heaven (spiritual) and Earth (natural) to create a living and working environment that facilitates a harmonious and positive flow of energy to improve one’s life. Proper practice of feng shui is meant to create and maintain good health, wealth, relationships, creativity and more. Consultants can be an asset by assisting with proper placement of objects within personal and business spaces, either before or after the spaces are created.

Functional Medicine: A personalized medicine that focuses on primary prevention and deals with underlying causes, instead of symptoms, for serious chronic diseases. Treatments are grounded in nutrition and improved lifestyle habits and may make use of medications. The discipline uses a holistic approach to analyze and treat interdependent systems of the body and to create the dynamic balance integral to good health.

Green Living: Green living is an attempt to carry out your life in an eco-friendly, environmentally responsible manner or an attempt to minimize the size of your ecological footprint. Green living concerns itself with a range of topics and practices including conservation of resources, recycling, sustainability, green construction, alternative energy, organic food choices, and other environmental topics.

Greenwashing: A deliberate attempt by a business or entity to mislead the public into believing a product, service, company or practice is environmentally sensitive when in fact it is not.

Herbal Medicine: This oldest form of medicine uses natural plants in a wide variety of forms for their therapeutic value. Herbs produce and contain various chemical substances that act upon the body to strengthen its natural functions without the negative side effects of synthetic drugs. They may be taken internally or applied externally via teas, tinctures, extracts, oils, ointments, compresses and poultices.

Integrative Medicine: This holistic approach combines conventional Western medicine with complementary alternative treatments, in order to simultaneously treat mind, body and spirit. Geared to the promotion of health and the prevention of illness, it neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies, without serious evaluation.

LEED: An acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; a green building certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. This nationwide program provides guidelines for residential and commercial construction projects aimed at improving energy savings, water efficiency and indoor environmental quality, reducing CO2 emissions and heightening stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. (Visit usgbc.org.)

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy: This gentle, non-invasive, rhythmical, whole-body massage aims to stimulate the lymphatic system to release excess fluid from loose connective tissues, thus helping to remove toxins. Lymph glands are part of the body’s defense against infection; blockage or damage within the system may lead to conditions such as edema, acne, inflammation, arthritis and sinusitis. By stimulating one of the body’s natural cleansing systems, it supports tissue health. It’s also been effective in assuaging lymphedema following mastectomy surgery. Learn more at VodderSchool.com and LymphNet.org.

Meditation: The intentional directing of attention to one’s inner self. Methods and practices to achieve a meditative state are based upon various principles using the body or mind and may employ control or letting-go mechanisms. Techniques include the use of imagery, mantras and observation, and the control of breathing. Research has shown that regular meditation can contribute to psychological and physiological well-being. As a spiritual practice, meditation is used to facilitate a mystical sense of oneness with a higher power or the Universe. It can also help reduce stress and alleviate stress-related ailments, such as anxiety and high blood pressure.

Naturopathy: A comprehensive and eclectic system whose philosophy is based upon working in harmony with the body’s natural healing abilities. Naturopathy incorporates a broad range of natural methods and substances aimed to promote health. Training may include the study of specific approaches, including massage, manipulation, acupuncture, acupressure, counseling, applied nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy and minor surgery plus basic obstetrics for assistance with natural childbirth.

Nutritional Analysis: Identifying nutrient challenges are critical because they can affect all body functions as well as organ, joint and bone stability. Proper nutrition, supported with whole food supplements, promotes overall health and provides the human body the building blocks for tissue repair, helping re-establish proper function throughout the body and aiding in all the body’s healing processes. To further support your health, whole food and herbal supplements may be added to your health care plan to maximize the benefits of your chiropractic treatments. Given the proper nutrition, your body has the amazing capability of keeping itself healthy. Nutrition should be individualized to meet each person’s needs. Whole food supplements along with herbal products are an important key to overall health and wellbeing.

Nutritional Counseling: Embracing a wide range of approaches, nutrition-based, complementary therapies and counseling seek to alleviate physical and psychological disorders through special diets and food supplements. These will be either macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins and fiber) or micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements that cannot be manufactured in the body). Nutritional therapy/counseling often uses dietary or food supplements, which can include tablets, capsules, powders or liquids.Ortho-Bionomy: A gentle, non-invasive system of healing, ortho-bionomy reminds the body of its natural ability to restore balance. British Osteopath Arthur Lincoln Pauls developed the technique to stimulate the body by using gentle movement, comfortable positioning, brief compression and subtle contact to relieve joint and muscle pain and reduce stress. Lean more at Ortho-Bionomy.org.

Ortho-Bionomy: A gentle, non-invasive system of healing, ortho-bionomy reminds the body of its natural ability to restore balance. British Osteopath Arthur Lincoln Pauls developed the technique to stimulate the body by using gentle movement, comfortable positioning, brief compression and subtle contact to relieve joint and muscle pain and reduce stress. Lean more at Ortho-Bionomy.org.

Passive Cooling: The use of building and design strategies to cool structures with no refrigeration systems and little or no mechanical assistance. Passive cooling strategies include low or high thermal mass materials (depending on nighttime temperatures), shading, reflecting, natural ventilation and evaporative cooling. 

Reflexology (Zone Therapy): This is a natural healing method of pressure point massage used to relieve tension/pain and treat and cure illness by pressing on a part of a person’s head, hands, body or feet. Reflexology is based upon the principle that there are reflex points or zones that correspond to every part of the body. Correctly stimulating and applying pressure to these areas increases circulation and promotes specifically designated bodily and muscular functions. Learn more at Reflexology-USA.net.

Reiki: A healing practice originated in Japan in the 1920s as a way of activating and balancing the life force present in all living things. Reiki means, “universal life force energy.” Light hand placements channel healing energies to organs and glands and work to align the body’s energy centers, or chakras. Various techniques address emotional and mental distress, chronic and acute physical problems and/or increase spiritual focus and clarity. Reiki is a valuable addition to the work of chiropractors, massage therapists, nurses and others in the West. Learn more at Reiki.org.

Renewable Energy: Energy generated from renewable resources is unlimited or rapidly replenished and therefore, cannot be exhausted. Includes power generated from wind, sunlight, water flow, biomass and geothermal heat.

Shiatsu: The most widely known form of acupressure, shiatsu is Japanese for “finger pressure”. The technique applies varying degrees of pressure to balance the life energy that flows through specific pathways, or meridians, in the body. Shiatsu is used to release tension and strengthen weak areas in order to facilitate even circulation, cleanse cells and improve the function of vital organs; it also may help to diagnose, prevent and relieve many chronic and acute conditions that manifest on both physical and emotional levels. A branch of shiatsu that originated in the United States, called ohashiatsu, includes meditation and exercise. Learn more at ShiatsuSociety.org and Ohashiatsu.org.

Solar - Passive versus Active: Solar energy is the conversion of the sun’s rays to energy, very good for green living. Active solar technology uses electrical or mechanical equipment to convert the sun’s rays into usable energy for heating or whatever. Passive solar technology does not use any outside non-solar energy.

Sound Healing: Employs vocal and instrumental tones, generated internally or externally. When sounds are produced with healing intent, they can create sympathetic resonance in the physical and energy bodies. Sound healing also is used to bring discordant energy into balance and harmony.

Spiritual Healing / Counseling: Practiced in two forms. In one, the healer uses thought or touch to align his or her spiritual essence with that of the client. The healer works to either balance the spiritual field or shift the perceptual base of the client to create harmony between mind and body and draw the client into the active presence of Divine Spirit. In the other, the healer transforms healing energy into a vibrational frequency that the client can receive and comfortably assimilate, reminding the person’s intuitive core of its inherent healing ability.

Therapeutic Touch (TT): This contemporary healing modality was developed by natural healer Dora Kunz and nursing professor Dolores Krieger, Ph.D., in the 1970s. Therapeutic Touch is drawn from ancient practices and used to balance and promote energy flow. The practitioner “accesses” the area where the body’s energy field is weak or congested, and then uses his or her hands to direct energy into the field to balance it. Nurses and other healthcare practitioners apply TT to relieve pain, stress and anxiety, and to promote wound healing. Learn more at TherapeuticTouch.org.

Thermography (Thermal Imaging): A diagnostic technique that uses an infrared camera to measure temperature variations on the surface of the body, producing images that reveal sites of inflammation and abnormal tissue growth. Inflammation is recognized as the earliest stage of nearly all major health challenges.

Zero- or Low-Energy Building: A zero-energy building has no net energy consumption when measured across a year’s time. It uses alternative energy sources like solar and wind power. Both zero- and low-energy buildings are great for green living.

Please note: The contents of this Health & Wellness Glossary are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be used in place of a visit or consultation with a healthcare professional. Always seek out a practitioner who is licensed, certified or otherwise professionally qualified to conduct a selected treatment, as appropriate.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Green Building Council, GreenLivingGuide.com.