Many conditions that affect us can be treated or managed at home by using holistic therapies. While some conditions will require medical intervention, there’s no reason why some other conditions can be treated in such a way.
Some holistic therapies will be beneficial for you whereas others will not. Luckily, there are a number of options out there for you which could potentially help manage conditions like anxiety, pain, depression and much more.
So, if you’re wondering which are the best holistic therapies – I’ve got you covered. I’ve written this list with lots of information for you. If you’re ready to learn more, then read on and get your questions answered!
What Are The Best Holistic Therapies?
Without any further delays, let’s dive right into this list. As I mentioned earlier, some of these therapies may be useful to you, whereas others will not.
For more tailored advice, we would suggest speaking with a medical professional – especially for more serious conditions.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a renowned treatment that has been around for centuries. It has been practised in Chinese and Western cultures and it works by inserting needles into specific areas of your skin.
The belief is that the needles help to stimulate the nerves and muscles in your body, which then release pain-relieving chemicals. There are various conditions that this type of treatment could be used for. These include:
Some people that undergo acupuncture may experience bleeding, bruising or some other forms of pain – so it’s important to know this before you decide to undergo acupuncture. It’s also important to know if you have any health conditions beforehand.
For example, if you have a blood disorder, allergies, fear of needles or suffer from blood clotting – then you may wish to avoid this type of treatment.
That being said, if you are okay to undergo acupuncture, it could be highly beneficial for you.
Indeed, the NHS even recommends this type of treatment for certain conditions. However, it’s important to note that there is not enough evidence yet that acupuncture works wholly on its own for certain conditions.
2. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
5-HTP is a chemical that our bodies naturally produce which then contributes to the production of serotonin (which is our brain’s mood regulator).
You can purchase 5-HTP in some forms from health shops, pharmacies and other avenues.
Typically, people who choose to use 5-HTP are looking to treat conditions like depression and anxiety, and some studies have suggested that 5-HTP can be as effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety as some antidepressants.
It’s important to know that 5-HTP does not work for everybody though. If you find this treatment is not working for you, consider other avenues for more assistance. It’s also important that you read the labels and ask the seller for more information.
3. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a treatment that has been used for a long time and it works by placing plant essential oils (see also: 5 Best Essential Oils For Sleep)around you and smelling their scents.
Typically, this treatment is used in conjunction with other treatments like massage therapy or hydrotherapy.
It’s pretty easy to get hold of essential oils for aromatherapy. You can purchase things like candles and light a few of them while you’re in a safe and comfortable environment – such as in the bath for example.
One of the most beneficial according to previous studies is lavender, which has been said to improve relaxation, calmness and lead to a better night’s sleep – which has its own benefits to your mental and physical health.
While this type of holistic therapy is generally safe, you should be wary of some things. Most importantly, you need to be aware if you have any allergies, so always check the labels for the best information.
Additionally, if you are going to use candles for aromatherapy, you need to be careful about where you are lighting them and try not to fall asleep when candles are lit – so it might be worth performing this therapy with others.
4. CBD Oil (Cannabidiol Oil)
CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant and it is entirely legal in the United Kingdom.
This is because CBD does not contain the active ingredient THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is what causes users to feel “high”.
CBD is believed to be helpful in the treatment of a range of conditions, including things like anxiety, depression, chronic pain and nausea. You can find a number of products that contain CBD oil and they’re easily purchased in different shops nowadays.
CBD oil is not suggested for people who live with schizophrenia or those who experience psychosis. It may also cause appetite changes and fatigue. However, aside from this, CBD oil could be something you find very beneficial.
Be aware though, cannabis and some other cannabis products are illegal to possess.
While there are some medicinal treatments that use cannabis legally in the UK, they must be strictly prescribed – and due to the complex law, it is unlikely that this happens.
5. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is another type of treatment that has been around for quite some time.
The therapy works by placing the person in a state of extreme relaxation and talking them through the process. You will be entirely in control during a state of hypnotherapy.
Indeed, some people have anxiety about hypnotherapy, but your therapist should take you through what will happen beforehand, and you will agree to the things that they can and cannot do.
Hypnotherapy has been used for so many things. It can help with anxiety, stress, depression, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addictions and even relationship trouble.
Essentially, the treatment tries to alleviate the symptoms, or even completely eradicate, the unwanted feelings and thoughts you may have. While more study is necessary, some people who have undergone hypnotherapy say it was successful.
It’s worth knowing however that hypnotherapy should be avoided for people who live with psychosis or personality disorders. It’s also important to avoid this therapy if you are going to attend a court hearing as a witness.
6. Massage Therapy
Everybody loves a spa day, and this is due to the intense level of relaxation that you should experience when you’re there, through the use of massage.
Massages are pretty simple – they work by moving the tissues of your muscles and skin to lift stress and tension away.
Massages are helpful for a whole number of reasons, and they are often part of a sportsperson’s therapeutic itinerary for muscle injuries and repair, or people that work in highly stressful jobs.
However, they can also be helpful to those who live with anxiety, depression, chronic pain and PTSD.
Massage therapy is entirely safe as long as you attend a licensed masseuse. You can often find qualified therapists in gyms, health centres and sports clubs.
Some hotels offer spa days and treatments too, so it might be worth checking some hotels around your area to see if they offer such treatments.
7. Meditation
Meditation is an ancient practice that has been used to help clear the mind and heal the body and soul by huge numbers of people. There are various types of meditation but the goal remains the same – to get into a state of mindfulness (see also: Meditation & Mindfulness For Breast Cancer Survivors)and relaxation.
Meditation, especially when done in conjunction with other therapies like yoga, have been suggested to be helpful with things like anxiety and stress, along with various types of muscle pains.
Meditation is safe for almost everyone, but people who live with dissociation conditions might find it worsens their symptoms. Therefore you should be aware of your conditions before you decide on meditation.
8. Martial Arts
Martial arts is an umbrella term for plenty of different disciplines. However, various martial arts can help with mindfulness, philosophy and emotional health.
Martial arts can not only be helpful for conditions such as anxiety, depression and muscle pains, but also general fitness.
As a result, you may find yourself improving your fitness, improving some symptoms of various conditions and maybe getting a better night’s sleep through the use of your energy.
Martial arts is not for everyone though, and as there are a whole range of different disciplines, you may need to do some prior research first to find the right one for you. It’s not recommended for people with significant physical pain though.
The Bottom Line
Holistic therapies can be highly effective for numerous conditions, but it will largely depend on what condition you are looking to treat. Before you set out on your journey, it may be worth speaking with your GP first for more information specific to you.
I hope this list was useful for you and you’ve found some of the information you were looking for! Good luck on your journey.
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
