Therapy is hard work. It challenges you to be the best version of yourself, whether you undergo mental or physical therapy. Therapy can be more than sitting in an office with a professional. You can find different forms of therapy in various areas of your life to treat any kind of ailment. Try these alternative forms of therapy alongside your regular therapy to see how your mind and body react.
1. Meditation
Those familiar with meditation may not look at it as a form of therapy. Though it isn’t quite the same as traditional therapy, it can help someone who finds it challenging to stay calm and still due to certain disorders or feelings. Meditation can return you to a sense of calm that enables you to cope with future uncomfortable situations and issues.
2. Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is a natural sort of therapy for people who don’t like to use many medications. Remember that not all herbal medicines can treat illnesses, especially when they are severe. In this case, it would be best to go to a hospital for accurate, faster treatment.
Still, you can find use in replacing certain medicines with natural substitutes. For example, green tea has been known to aid in weight loss and give a boost of caffeine to those who drink it. St. John’s Wort can relieve you of minor depression symptoms, though it can’t be considered a foolproof cure. Before you start herbal medicine, make sure to consult your general practitioner.
3. Experiential Therapy
By exposing yourself to a new form of therapy, you might learn skills and coping mechanisms that can benefit you in your everyday life. Experiential treatment allows you to experience new things and feel a form of hope when you think that your life has hit rock bottom. These new experiences can breathe new life into your heart and head, allowing you to heal differently.
When participating in a guided and low-stakes experience, you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make fun memories while reminding yourself of all the good in the world. Experiential therapy is particularly great for recovering addicts, who may miss thrills but don’t want to endanger themselves.
4. Chiropractic Medicine
Many people have the misconception that chiropractors can only heal back issues and that they can effectively treat every ailment. The truth is somewhere in between – chiropractors can work miracles on your back, thereby affecting the rest of your body positively.
Chiropractors are trained to work with doctors and provide you with the utmost quality of care. It’s an excellent option for physical therapy, as it can help diminish the pain you feel.
5. Massage Therapy
Often overlooked as a form of therapy, massage therapy can relieve tension in certain parts of your body. It works excellently as an alternative form of physical therapy. It’s a way to manage your pain and allow yourself to relax if you’ve been overworking your muscles.
It may also increase your immune health by boosting the strength of killer T cells, which target viruses. Regular massages can decrease your pain and help you manage it, which can be a perfect supplemental tool alongside another sort of therapy if you need physical relief.
6. Yoga
If stress relief is your primary goal, yoga is the alternative therapy you may be searching for. It’s a light form of exercise that can encourage looser muscles and good stretching habits. If you’re new to the world of yoga, consider starting off with a yoga instructor to teach you the basics and help you learn how much you can push your muscles without any injuries or sprains.
Once you know the basics, you’ll be able to practice yoga independently, and you can do it from anywhere. You may find free resources online, allowing you to take advantage of yoga in your own home.
7. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy might be a subset of therapy not many people consider, whether it’s because they’re skeptical about it or they’ve seen magic shows in the past. Hypnotherapy may have a bad reputation or may not be regarded as legitimate therapy because of the misunderstandings surrounding it.
However, unlike what you may have been taught to believe in magic shows, you are in control of your behavior and thoughts when you’re subjected to hypnosis. Still, hearing advice while in this deep state of relaxation can help you understand those words on a more fundamental level and maybe implement them in your daily life.
Consider Your Therapy Carefully
Whatever therapy you choose to practice, you should always do so with a professional alongside you. While some, such as yoga, are easily self-guided, even starting off with a professional can set you on the right path. Alternative therapies can expand your horizons and help you heal beyond an office. When paired with traditional treatment, you’re bound to see positive effects.
