Alternative Healthcare Glossary: I to Q

Iridology: Based on the notion that each organ and body part is represented by a corresponding area in the iris, practitioners claim they can diagnose patients' health problems – past and present – by looking at the eye. Iridology is often practiced in conjunction with naturopathy, but theories of diagnosis vary among iridologists. Many healthcare practitioners question the validity of this philosophy.

Laughter Therapy (Humor Therapy): The act of laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, releases endorphins, and, by increasing white blood cell activity, boosts immune function. Therapists encourage patients to laugh by using various forms of entertainment.

Light Therapy: Based on the same premise as using ultraviolet light to treat jaundiced babies, therapists believe that different colors of light affect the body's enzymes in different ways, thereby alleviating pain or increasing energy. For example, sunlight may be prescribed for people who feel sluggish or who have vitamin D deficiency, and full spectrum lights may be put in offices to keep people alert.

Massage Therapy: Massage therapy is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissue to increase blood flow, improve circulation, loosen tight muscles, improve skin tone, or increase relaxation. Therapists usually use their hands but may also use their forearms, elbows, or feet.

Meditation: Meditation is a technique used to quiet the busy mind by focusing on one thing, such as breathing, a single word, a single sound, or a single image. Meditation can be performed by sitting in one position without moving, by letting the body be free to do what it feels, or by going about daily activities "mindfully."

Music Therapy: Music Therapy is based on the premise that patients, who are unable to express their emotions or experiences verbally, may be able to express themselves through creating or listening to music. Patients may sing, play instruments, create songs, or listen to orchestras. This therapy is also used to help patients develop or enhance reasoning abilities and is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, educational, medical, and forensic institutions.

Naturopathy: This philosophy stemmed from a movement known as Naturphilosophie, which stated that there is a single unifying force underlying all of nature and that there is a "life force" that flows throughout the healthy body. The practice believes that illness is created through a blockage of energy flow and that practitioners can detect disease and illness by monitoring "energies" or "vibrations." There are wide-ranging forms of naturopathy, and its practice often changes according to the practitioner. Some naturopaths offer basic advice for a healthy lifestyle, while others use unscientific diagnostic tools. Treatments can include anything from acupuncture to therapeutic touch to massage to colonic irrigation.

Pet Therapy: The philosophy behind pet therapy stems from studies showing that pet owners have lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride levels, and react better to stress than non-pet owners. It is thought that the healing processes improve if patients interact with or stroke pets (including birds, dogs, cats, and horses). Specially trained pets are routinely brought to healthcare facilities to visit and play with patients and are used in the therapy of children, psychiatric patients, and the elderly.