Alternative healthcare is increasing in popularity and with it the availability of differing modalities throughout our peninsula. Perhaps you are interested in experiencing it and do not know the differences between disciplines. Or, you are familiar with the fields but want to find out more.

All disciplines believe in the holistic approach — that of treating the whole body, not individual parts.

With a Chinese origin dating back about 3000 years, acupuncture is known best for its use involving pain management. However, there are many other concerns it addresses successfully, including digestive, joint, menopausal/menstrual, stress, energy, etc.

Acupuncture is known as working best with health complaints, concerns/irregularities that are not yet full-blown diseases. It can also used as an “integrative medicine,” meaning patients can still have their principal medical doctors and prescriptions (western medicine) while engaging in this “eastern medicine.” Practitioners base their treatment on pattern assessment (where a pattern is multiple symptoms), treat the pattern not the disease; treat multiple problems with one herb formula; and do not accept side effects.

Using small, thin needles the width of a hair, acupuncture involves inserting these needles into various neural mode sites throughout the body. This helps to increase the blood flow to the affected area. Within recent years there has been an increase in popularity, which has also led to a consumer push for more insurance coverage of acupuncture procedures and practitioners.

In the traditional (Western) medical profession, classes are being taught to medical doctors whereby they obtain qualifications for providing acupuncture treatments. One such MD is Port Orchard physician Dr. Jessica Hanford. With a history in family practice, Dr. Hanford is also knowledgeable about the acupuncture field and can combine the two modalities to her patient’s satisfaction. She sees patients turning to acupuncture when conventional treatments don’t work well. According to Dr. Hanford, “Acupuncture is great for post surgical symptoms-among others.” Contact her at (360) 871-4556 for more information.

Joyce M. Brown, is a licensed acupuncturist in East Bremerton at “A Healing Center.” While living in Singapore, her interest in acupuncture was sparked. She liked what she saw and decided to begin studying it. Having been in the field for nine years, she has been practicing in our area since 1994.

She enjoys helping her patients decrease their medication amounts, balance their body, and also supplement western medicine. She treats a wide variety of health concerns (energy, headaches, chronic fatigue, insomnia, asthma, etc.), with acupuncture. She can be reached at (360) 792-2586.

Located in Poulsbo, the Acupuncture & Wellness Center, Inc. is the largest clinic of its kind in Washington State. Established in 1998, its founders are Robert Doane and Anne Stiller-Doane — both Board Certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

It helps increase the vital vapor or oxygen to the cells thereby increasing oxygen to the blood vessels. The oxygen nourishes every cell of our body. When the oxygen is flowing correctly, health concerns are minimized. According to Dr. Doane, “Acupuncture is a totally physically based medicine which identifies most pathologies as being related to blood flow. The purpose of acupuncture is to increase blood flow to the area of the treatment body.” For more information, contact the Clinic at (206) 842-2245 or (360) 394-4357.

Another modality, which has been around for many years, is yoga. Known to increase flexibility, fitness, and strength, yoga welcomes people at all levels of fitness.

With an origin in India, it consists of various poses and holding poses — as those found in Hatha yoga, for example. Pilates yoga consists of toning core muscles (abdomen, buttocks, etc.) through exercises and movements but does not contain any poses. Yoga results in a better quality of life for many and is considered preventative. Relaxation is a common result of engaging in yoga. Yoga is not considered aerobic since it does not increase or improve the cardiovascular system.

Classes are taught at various health clubs and community parks and recreation centers throughout our area. Of the many qualified yoga instructors throughout our peninsula, Eugenia Jones offers basic yoga classes at the Bremerton Senior Center and Pilates yoga classes in Poulsbo. “My main goal is getting people up and moving and yoga is a great way to get started,” according to Ms. Jones. Visit her Web site at www.ejonesfitness.com or call her at (360) 613-4045.

Naturopathy is an alternative healthcare field, which has been around about 200 years, with its origin being in Europe. Its main philosophy is that of providing natural remedies that work by stimulating the body’s own healing powers. Areas of involvement consist of nutrition (diet is the first area looked at), vitamin therapy, herbs/botanical medicine, physical medicine/manipulation, hydrotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, and Aruyvedic medicine. It also can be integrative, meaning patients can continue seeing their conventional doctor as well as their holistic doctor.

Cathy Rogers is a Doctor of Naturopathy in Chico. With more than 20 years of practice in the field, she is a founding director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. A Bremerton native, Dr. Rogers holds healthy habits classes and has a healing retreat in Chico.

“Health is not an end, but a means. Good health, good energy, and good movement are a means of doing what one wants,” she said. Reach her at (360) 692-5554.

Dr. Ruth Urand, has had a practice located in downtown Poulsbo, since 1998.

“Naturopathic doctors have one foot firmly planted in western medicine, and have another foot planted in holistic medicine,” Dr. Urand said. “Nutrition is the basis for health and someone going to a naturopath gets the best of both worlds.” Contact her at (360) 598-6999 at the Sound Naturopathic Clinic.

“I’m looking to create a partnership with somebody. A team effort where a person wants to change and is open to new ideas,” said Jane Bernstein Pearson, ND of Poulsbo. In practice since 1993 she is involved most heavily in homeopathy with an interest in ayruvedic medicine (an Eastern modality). Her contact number is (360) 697-7070.

The chiropractic field is another discipline found in the alternative healthcare area. Founded in Canada by Dr. Daniel D. Palmer in 1895, the discipline says that the body has wisdom to heal itself and looks to the nervous system as the communication system of the body by checking the alignment of the spinal column. Chiropractic physicians are also extensively trained in x-ray interpretation and pharmacology.

“With over 60,000 chiropractors worldwide, it is the leading drug free health movement in the world,” according to Dr. L. Theodore Gip of Silverdale Chiropractic Health & Injury Center. “Many patients have monthly wellness check-ups and are evaluated. Athletes, for instance, have a “work up” before games to maintain positive health,” he states. Contact the Clinic at (360) 308-0250.

“Aches or pains mean something is wrong,” according to Dr. Karen Busso. Practicing at The Chiropractor’s Clinic in Silverdale — a 23-year-old clinic. Dr. Busso is also involved in educating the public about natural health care/chiropractic care. She gives spinal screenings in malls and health clubs, talks to local businesses, and presents ways to prevent injuries. Contact her at (360) 698-3140 for more info.

There are many others practicing locally in all of these fields not mentioned here. For a quick reference list, simply consult your local telephone book. Also not mentioned here are massage therapy, tai chi, and aromatherapy. They all involve the patient taking a more active approach towards their health, treating the person as a whole, using natural methods, and relying on the body’s natural healing process.