Alternative choices offers patients lasting relief from sleep disorders. While certain extreme disorders have genetic underpinnings and may require continued medical care, even cases of narcolepsy have been reversed by eliminating food allergies and following other alternative therapies. According to the alternative medicine approach, sleep disorders result from multiple causes, many of them with a less-than-obvious connection to the disorder or not easily detectable. As you will discover in this book, a number of underlying imbalances, with accompanying physical, mental, and environmental factors, contribute to all forms of sleep problems.
It is essential to understand the factors that went into creating the sleep disorder in each person, because sleep disorders are rarely cause by one thing alone and no two people have exactly the same causal factors. Alternatives employs a battery of diagnostic tools—sleep tests, physical examination, dietary assessment, tests for digestive, detoxification, and hormonal function, and emotional evaluation—to build an individualized picture of the patient’s condition. Skilled alternative practitioners take the time needed to find the root causes of sleep disorders and the patient also becomes actively involved in their treatment. Alternatives not only respects differences among individuals, but concentrates its diagnosis and treatment plan on this “customized” approach. With alternative medicine, health is restored to the whole patient, rather than simply providing superficial symptom relief. The goal is to help each person achieve a balance among physical healing and the emotional, mental, and even spiritual aspects of their life.
Alternatives draws upon a wide range of therapies to help treat—and even prevent—sleep disorders. The primary keys are proper diet and nutrition, detoxification, stress reduction, and environmental controls. Diet and nutrition can have a significant impact on sleep and special care should be taken to avoid substances that might overly stimulate the brain. Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other natural supplements such as melatonin can provide effective relief without the side effects of conventional drugs.
Removing toxins from the body has shown to be therapeutic for patients—alternative medicine offers a number of safe and effective detoxification strategies. Meditation, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, and other mind/body techniques can help reduce stress. Skeletal problems can also be addressed through a variety of other modalities, including bodywork, exercise, and yoga. Environmental imbalances can be regulated with magnet therapy and feng shui. Light therapy is especially helpful for people with disrupted circadian rhythms.
