Complementary-Therapy Books

This is a book that will be useful to both health practitionners as well as patients.The book challenges us to look at our body, mind and spirit in a new way.I discovered that what I was thought in school and what I had learned in life through countless hours of studying and post doctoral work can be repositionned in a new way.This book is a shift of paradigm on many levels.

In Healing Myths, Healing Magic, Donald Epstein examines the deeply ingrained stories and myths we commonly hold about how our bodies heal. Some these myths may actually inhibit healing. These myths have a powerful, magically suggestive effect on the way we interpret our symptoms, the way we heal, and the quality of life we experience. Epstein argues that our capacity to heal is more often affected by society's collective myths than by our personal circumstances, symptoms, or disease. Our myths can create the magic of healing in our lives, or they can stop the magic completely. Healing Myths, Healing Magic is a seminal, breakthrough treatise that divided healing myths into four categories: Social, Biomedical, Religious, and New Age. He then exposes each myth individually and suggests an alternative statement or "Healing Magic" to help the reader reclaim his or her own body's natural ability to heal. Healing Myths, Healing Magic is important, highly recommended reading for students of alternative medicine, traditional medicine, and mind/body metaphysics.

I highly recommend Donald Epstein's most readable book, Healing Myths, Healing Magic.

Pick any chapter that appeals to you, read it, and it stands on its own.

Like most anything Donald does, it is absolutely profound and thought provoking; so for me reading a chapter or two and then digesting the information for awhile works best.

Inevitably, in this book, Donald will label a myth something that you have held as fact, and this is where you will need some time to digest, but don't discount what he is saying too readily: Having attended Donald's seminars for years, I can tell you that sometimes it takes me two years to really understand something he has told me.

Donald Epstein created the most profoundly elegant and amazing healing system on the planet, Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) about 20 years ago. I have been learning how to practice NSA for the last five years.

Every practitioner, whether MD, DC, DO, PhD, LMT, or any person interested in healing needs to read this book. I have a whole library of books related to healing, and this book is the star of the collection, you need this book.

God Bless,

Hans Conser

Alternative medicine hits the mainstream as more people integrate and use complementary methods to restore and replenish well-being. The challenge arises when someone uses the new age blame game to force some kind of healing. A common example is when a person diagnosed with cancer is told by some holistic practitioner that they caused it. Maybe yes, maybe no, and this book provides some grounded advice on the matter. Quacks abound in the realm of metaphysical healing and Dr. Epstein offers wisdom to tell genuine assistance from downright silliness. We are repsonsible only for our own behavior and not anyone else. If you are into the whole mind-body scene on well-being this is a great guide to separating myth from fact and staying grounded by keeping yout intellect in place. Many people throw their intellect out the door when entering an intutive phase ... and this is a costly mistake. Dr. Epstein gives a blend of intellect and intuition as he cracks the common myths around healing.

Myths and stories surround the healing process - myths which can inhibit healing. From circumstances where healing is difficult or impossible to choices not followed, Healing Myths Healing Magic examines healing myths and exposes and religious, social and medical frameworks for their origins. An important survey.

This book is great for anyone who is tired of trying to figuire out how to lose weight and get healthy. The cleanses are easy and workable for the very busiest person. I haven't finished the book yet but I went read forward to the weightloss fast and have started my husband on the cholestoral fast. I would recommend it to anyone wanting help at getting a healthier life.

This book is the most comprehensive yet easy to follow program on the subject of inner cleansing. I like that he's not preaching or self serving, but very clear and to the point about cleaning out the "toxic sludge," that we all have, as result of eating bad food. And, it doesn't require any fancy or obscure potions or pills -- just good, wholesome foods like fresh fruit/vegetable juices. Its in this book that I learn about the healing power of fresh (raw) garlic and the importance of including it into your daily cleasing. A must have for all.

If you follow the instructions in this booklet you have a very excellent chance of cleansing your body and becoming pain free. It worked for me. But you have to be willing to follow through. It leads you to a healthy way of eating and juicing and better health....plus weight loss. It is fabulous. I have bought 5 to give away as Christmas gifts.

This book is written in a very user-friendly style. What's best is that health tips are easy to put into practice.

Don't miss this appealing yet practical book.

Carlson Wade is a medical nutrition reporter who has completed 26 books on natural healing. In his book, Inner Cleansing, you will learn about the why and how of cleaning out the "sludge" that accumulates in our bodies. How does it get there? We live in a toxic world. Between air pollution, additives to our water supply, additives to our foods, dyes, colorings, preparation methods, stress, etc. the modern person has no choice but to ingest, breathe or come into contact with various toxins and other problematic items. These in turn cause premature aging, aches and pains, fatigue, heart problems, high blood pressure and a variety of other symptoms.
The book offers techniques to cleanse yourself of these toxins. The techniques are simple and the things you need are readily available. Unlike other programs for detoxification, this one does not require months to complete. After only a couple of days you should feel the difference. If you are having a nagging problem or just not feeling like yourself these days, this book may have the answers for you. If it doesn't work for you then you have lost nothing, if it does work then you have regained a better life. I will say that I often feel better after a regular cleansing program and am much more active than most of my friends my age.

As Bruce Lipton, author of "Biology of Belief" affirms, energy psychology IS the healing modality of the future. Actually it is the healing modality of the now. And Mary Hammond's book, "Living Your Soul's Purpose" is a must-have in the library of anyone who seeks to understand and use energy psychology for healing, liberation and full self-expression. As an energy healer myself, I have studied and utilize within my practice numerous modalities: EFT, Resonance Repatterning, and The Yuen Method to name a few. Dynamic Energetic Healing integrates and expands upon the best of many modalities into an elegant, effective system.

As many reviews of Mary Hammond's book, Living your Soul's Purpose, have justly indicated, this is a book of profound importance. For anyone interested in human change and human healing in general or for anyone who is particularly interested in the field of Energy Medicine, this book is a delightfully, useful primer. It is wonderfully well-written, and filled with viably-related content that leaves no doubt as to the veracity of the author's words; it also draws much wisdom from the responses of many participants whose experiences are presented as examples. As one who has observed Mary at work with volunteers and clients at workshops and teaching seminars, I can vouch for the immediacy of positive change that happens under the direction of her loving healing, the methodology of which is outlined in this most relevant book.

Living Your Soul's Purpose is full of stories, wisdom and guidance for doing your own exploration into removing the blocks in your life: trauma, stuck patterns, addiction, depression, chronic illness, relationship issues, career problems. Mary Hammond is a gentle mentor guiding one through the use of muscle testing, energy medicine, energy psychology, sacred space, prayer and intention to find and clear the origins of energetic disruptions and free your passion and life energy.

Mary Hammond is one of the pioneers in the field of energy psychology who has followed her Souls' Purpose in life that has led in the culmination of this book. She has poured a tremendous amount of heart and soul, time and research into this book. It is not just another self help book of ideas, but rather a step by step tool with pictures and descriptions of the application she uses in her private practice and in her teaching. You will learn to "tap" into your energy and reverse your energy if necessary. If you desire to go down the path of feeling good, having a better sense of well being, relieving stress, anxiety, pain and depression, then this book is for you. You will learn how to use spirit, psychology and energy and the DEH model to follow your Soul's purpose.

Dynamic Energy Healing has changed my life dramatically! Mary Hammond teaches energy techniques in her practice and now they have become accessible to more people through her book. This will change lives! Mary Hammond's book guides individuals on the journey to an improved life by eliminating pain, emotional scars, and clearing the way to their Soul's Purpose. She outlines techniques that are practical and understandable. It has become my "reference guide" both professionally and in personal relationships. This book is a treasure!!
Marlene Boltman
Reading Specialist
Salem-Keizer School District

I have various problems: a bad upper back, minor arthritis in the knee. Years ago, I started "freezing up" from muscle tension and the inactivity that came from being immobile. I discovered this book and have been applying it to myself ever since. I haven't had any contact with her organization lately, but back then, they sold a curved piece of metal with rubber tips on each end called a "shepherds crook." I have been using it on my own back ever since. The technique combines pressing on points of the various muscles for 5 seconds or so, along with stretching exercise. It works.

I had intense headaches for years. My MD gave me pain killers. Chiropractors gave me temporary relief -- I'd have to return every two weeks or so. But using the methods in this book resulted in my not having headaches, now, at all! Also I once had a pinched nerve in my neck. A specialist gave me therapy and a traction unit as he said it would return from time to time. I used the traction unit many times. However, one day I was in such pain from the headache caused by the pinched nerve that I had used the traction unit three times before lunch but with one treatment it was gone and I have not had a recurrance.I am a firm believer in its usefulness! Bonnie Prudden"s other book "Bonnie Prudden's Guide to Pain Free Living" is also excellent.

I had intense headaches for years. My MD gave me pain killers. Chiropractors gave me temporary relief -- I'd have to return every two weeks or so. But using the methods in this book resulted in my not having headaches, now, at all! Also I once had a pinched nerve in my neck. A specialist gave me therapy and a traction unit as he said it would return from time to time. I used the traction unit many times. However, one day I was in such pain from the headache caused by the pinched nerve that I had used the traction unit three times before lunch but with one treatment it was gone and I have not had a recurrance.I am a firm believer in its usefulness! Bonnie Prudden"s other book "Pain Erasure" is excellent. We found it first and it was the one we used with such success. We have both, now.

Bonnie Prudden was a person light years ahead of her time.What she had to say about fitness and injuries is still applicable today. Her techniques to reduce pain have helped me to get rid of my chronic back pain. This book is a must for reference and techniques that really work.

I am very impressed with this book and have been recommending it to all my friends. Although the techniques described will not be learned in an instant, or on the first read, it should not be too hard for most people to figure them out from the detailed, thoughtful explanations in this book. Recently, I read a couple of books in the same vein that got me interested in the idea that chronic pain is largely created by muscle tension, so I was open to hearing her experiences ... and the conclusions she has come up with make a lot of sense. I especially found the corrective exercises to be *excellent*. I wish, though, that the exercises were presented together in one section .. it's a little hard to jump from page 20 to page 43 to page 67. However, this way of presenting it forces you to read the in-between text, which has much valuable information. I can't say much about the efficacy yet because I have only begun to apply it, but I expect it to be very helpful for my chronic "computer-neck" problems. Check it out!

This is an excellent book, and it worked for me. I went from being near sighted and needing glasses to 20/20 vision (to the amazement of my eye doctor). I have also been bothered with light sensistive eyes since my childhood, and my eyes are now comfortable even in brilliant sunshine.

An excellent book! When I first started looking into alternatives to contacts and glasses I was lucky enough to have a friend refer this book to me. I started reading it and immediately began to apply some of the simple vision exercises. My eyesight improved radically! - About an immediate 75% improvement (towards what I remember from youth). This book had lots of simple eye exercises I could do during short 2 - 5 minute breaks during my workday. It was also really helpful in showing me how to deal with the other mind/body issues related to my deteriorated vision as well as simply helpful instruction on how to avoid eyestrain and the blurriness that comes with it now and in future. Due to these methods, one of my friends who has worn glasses for half their life has totally repaired their eyesight to the point they feel confident enough to have thrown out all their glasses et al! I was lucky enough to find this book early and I've only just begun! Five stars for the lady that keeps me from having to wear glasses!!! Thank you my friend and thank you Janet!

NATURAL VISION IMPROVEMENT
by Janet Goodrich

I have owned this wonderful book since the late eighties, when I started to have an ardent desire to learn more about the eye-brain connection. I have deliberately bought it despite its new agey connotations.

I have learned that, whatever we learn in a lifetime, as much as 90% will enter us through our eyes. Our brains are stimulated more by visual cues than any other senses. Our eyes also form a very significant part of our brains, some two-thirds of which are fully dedicated to vision & associated processing. Jokes aside, sexual attraction relies greatly on vision! Despite its comparative size, each eye ball has more significant moving parts than the Columbia space shuttle!

I love to read & I am an avid as well as a voracious reader. (From early '92 to mid-2004, I actually owned a small bookstore. It fueled & bankrolled my reading pursuits.) Naturally, I want to keep my eye balls in peak condition.

I was introduced to the book by chance. I did not buy the book on the grounds that I had wanted to get rid of my glasses. Today, I still wear my glasses, only when I drive or watch action movies on TV. When I read or work on my laptop, I don't need my glasses at all. This is inspite of the fact that my laptop screen display has been configured with small font size, especially my Internet Explorer, which allows me to read large chunks of information at one glance.

The most productive learning experiences I got out of this book are the 'natural vision improvement' exercises introduced by the author. They are:

- Palming exercise;
- Sunning exercise;
- Near/Far Focus exercise;
- Peripheral Vision exercise;

I have done these exercises for more than fifteen years. Oftentimes, I could amaze myself - & my friends - particularly when I could read relatively small prints on distant sign-boards or posters. I have also combined the vision exercises with some of the 'Brain Gym' exercises, namely, The Owl, Neck Roll, Cross Crawl & Brain Buttons. Additionally, I do a lot of diaphragmatic breathing exercises. I find all these exercises very useful in maintaining my active physiological frame of mind as well as my sharp mental focus when I read.

I have also taught these exercises to professional adults in my creativity classes, as well as to students in the schools. I have also shared them with my own friends. The feedback from them has always been positive.

Of course, from the book, I have also achieved a much better understanding of the eye-brain connection. If you are interested in this book, my suggestion is to read it with an open mind!

Frankly, if you want to keep your eye balls in peak condition, learn & practise the natural vision improvement exercises in this wonderful book! They have been field tested by me for more than fifteen years!

This well conceived and instructive volume combines empirical data and wholistic methods for just about every kind of eye condition short of blindness.
I met Janet Goodrich at a vision improvement course at Crystal Waters. She is one of the most interesting and eccentric ( in a pleasant way) people I have ever met. At the course I not only improved my vision, albeit marginally, but also lost weight. I don't know if she still lives in Australia.
These natural methods are intense and so a lot of people probably won't have time to use them but I can testify that they work, although very gradually. Few people have the patience these days to stick to these routines unfortunately.
If you ever read these reviews, Janet, best wishes.
Regards, Mike.

The author goes over the mental states associated with clear vision and includes a lot of vision games to help stimulate relaxed seeing. I needed more than what's here, but it's a good book and goes over some great stuff.

Everyone refers to it. You need it. Buy it. Keep it. Refer to it.

it about one month to get it,but i saved a little money, and it's a wonderful book!

I really enjoy this book; it is helping me understand how to find different possibilities of problems in the body.

If you need to study for your PTA or PT exam this is a must have. Great book.

This book is an excellent source of information especially for special tests for a variety of dysfunctions

This is an easy read. The colored photos offer an easy to follow program for beginners. Very good!

This book is very detailed and gives a good explanation of the pressure points of the hands and feet, as well as the overall massaging techniques. Lots of pictures to follow.

Helped my wife with very painful injury. Not a miracle cure, but very relaxing and healthy. Much better than "off the cuff" masssages. Clear instructions, written for real people. No heavy jargon and very sensitive about developing te right massage technique for each individual.

As a new Nail Tech, I wanted to incorporate some reflexology into my manicures and pedicures. This book is easy to read, has plenty of pictures and step-by-procedures to help anyone out.

I'm very happy with this book, I wanted to learn a simple way to show my partner that I care for her and to learn about how to keep ourselves feeling better and to enjoy life more. This book give very clear step by step instructions and teach's good tecnique in a way that is easily understandable and the results after trying a few times actually do feel good not only for my partner but for me to

I give this to my first level Reiki Students to help take away the mystery of how Reiki got started in the United States and it's source.

This is an excellent book. I highly recommend it for my students and for other Reiki Practitioners.

Thank you Frank Arjava Petter for being daring and brave to bring the 'real' version of Dr. Usui's Reiki to the west. I had from the beginning a little difficulty to accept everything which was said about the 'grand-masters' and their likes. And in the past very little facts were given about Dr. Usui and mainly in a kind of fairy story tale. Now I can accept Reiki as I believe Reiki should be: free from major money making and available for all people who truly wish to heal themselves, others and the world. God and Reiki bless us all. B. Müller, Reiki Master, South Africa

This book explains the beginnings and history of Reiki and gives examples of how to use the energy not only for healing the body, but getting rid of old guilts and fears, helping your plants grow, and much more. Such dramatic results have been seen with this method that more and more hospitals in the U.S. are having a Reiki Master on call to help in aiding the healing process of their patients. Even though the symbols are not shown, this book gives the author's tested examples of the results achieved using this universal energy that is available to all of us. I highly recommend this book.

I have studied Reiki and am a Reiki Master. I give this book to all of my Reiki students because it explains Reiki so simply and well. I especially like that it is informative without giving the impression that only the author's opinion of Reiki is important, and also that it sites Reiki's founder, Dr. Mikao Usui. It is clearly a tool to help one further one's understanding of Reiki.

Dr. Simon's has written a book that everybody must read that is having issues with cancer. This book helped me and my family through a terribly hard time and turned the experience into a great learning experience that left me and my family healthy and happy. Dr. Simon's wise words will provide much needed comfort and assurance on many levels to those who's life has errupted into un-immaginable chaos. It is a well-written treasure not only for advice but for those trying to lead a more integrated life. This book is a must read for anybody that has spiritual or medical questions concerning cancer or life in general.

Dr. Simon has shared insights into healing that take into account the coventional and integrative approaches to healthcare. He reminds us that we have entered into a phase of medicine that needs to consider a person's conscious awareness of health, so the appropriate modalities of care can be administered. David Simon utilizes eastern and western knowledge to make his work thorough and comprehensive. He takes into account the need for practicioners to be sensetive to the direction(s) a patient finds meaningful in their movement toward wholeness. This emphasis on consciousness incorporated in healthcare is a movement toward modern medicine paralleling the evolution of our time. I also recommend: What the Dying Teach Us: Lessons on Living by Samuel Oliver

This phenomenal book is a must have in a library of self-care literature. It reads easily and resonates with truth, leaving a profound impact. I recently returned from a week seminar with Dr. David Simon at the Deepak Chopra Wellness Institute in La Jolla,CA. My personal experience was transformational. I not only walked away with concrete, tangible tools to work with my cancer, I also deepened my relationship with myself and was taught many loving ways to embrace and empower myself through this difficult time in my life.

The nurturing environment was so safe and invitational to self-discovery of each individuals particular experience with cancer. I strongly recommend anyone facing cancer to invest in themselves with this wonderful program.

Dr. Simon's book addresses many of the issues that are so often not dealt with by modern conventional cancer treatment centers. Too often cancer patient feel as if their real needs are not being met by doctors and hospitals. Dr. Simon focuses on treating the person, not just the diseasse. His books creates an entirely new perspective for the cancer patient by simply remembering that they are a person. He addresses the emotional issues cancer patients face as well as treatments for common side effects caused by conventional treatment. His advice on nutrition, sensory tools for healing, and assessing alternative treatment modalities is easily succint, but very insightful. Futthermore, his five day seminar lets you explore these issues much deeper. Realizing that I am much more than the sum of my phsyical parts is an important gift that Dr. Simon has helped to give me.

The book is easy to follow and interpret even if you are new to this type of thinking. After reading the book I was so motivated to find a way to heal my own spirit while facing cancer treatment that I decided to attend the one week program called Return to Wholeness at the Chopra Center for Well Being in LaJolla CA. I highly recomend the book and program outlined in the book to anyone who is facing the challanges of cancer treatment.

Wellness is a whole way of looking at the world of health and well being and it is really about lifestyle change. Jack Travis & Regina Sara Ryan's Wellness Workbook stands alone as THE reference for anyone in the wellness field who wants a total picture, a sound theoretical foundation, and engaging & practical ways to make healthy changes.

The illness/wellness continuum, the "iceberg" model of health and disease, and especially the model for understanding the wellness energy system are absolutely essential for any professional to truly understand what wellness is and how it works. Travis has always "gotten it" that wellness is about many things, not just diet and exercise. His emphasis on the psychological factors are critical for without self-understanding and motivation behavioral change is most unlikely.

As the field of wellness coaching grows those delivering these services need this book at arm's length on their shelves.

Michael Arloski, Ph.D., PCC Author of Wellness Coaching For Lasting Lifestyle Change

I love this book! and am grateful for its reintroduction into the marketplace. With its new look and updated content I can now use the Wellness Workbook in my college health classes without fear of being labeled out of date. The Wellness Workbook was one of the original shapers of the Wellness Movement in the early 1980s, and promoted the idea that health was more than the absence of disease. Authors Travis and Ryan encouraged, and still encourage, readers to think, "Why settle for getting by, when your one precious life could be so much more?" They present Wellness as a jouney, a way of living and thinking, rather than a destination. The Wellness Workbook gracefully suggests that we take a mindful look at our lifestyles, and consider the impact our lifestyles have, in every fine detail, on ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world.
When most people hear the word "Wellness," they think healthful diet, exercise, and maybe a little stress management. This book goes far beyond the standard superficial health advice found in most books with Wellness in their title. The Wellness Workbook presents the most holistic and integrated view of wellness I have ever found in my twenty plus years as a health educator. As an example of this, take a look at the chapter on Wellness and Eating, where Travis and Ryan encourage you to consider the many meanings of hunger and nourishment. Along with a discussion of Eating for High-Level Wellness you will also find sections on Food as a Pain Reliever, Filling Up the Emptiness, and Food as Emotional Insulation. Although these sections may sound somewhat gloomy, the thoughtful writing is nonjudgmental and interesting, and the humor found throughout the book allows the book to "walk its talk" and consider the many sides of every issue, and understand how the many facets of Wellness are related one to another.

This book was recommended to my coworker for an adjunt book for teaching a mental health recovery class. We had an older copy. The new revised edition is even better than before. Many of the participants have liked it so much I have purchased additional copies for their own use. It is a great holistic approach towards wellness and can apply to a lot of differant populations.

The New Wellness Workbook, which was new to me with this 3rd edition, is the most comprehensive book that I have ever seen on wellness. Going far beyond cultural and medical ideas of health, the authors inspire us to look at our own wellbeing from the widest perspective, including emotional, social, and spiritual perspectives. As a holistic GP (family MD) I know that this book will be at the top of my recommended reading list.

I am a Certified HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Educator and I am sharing this with every person I know personally and every couple I come into contact professionally. I look forward to sharing it with my young daughter someday 10 years from now [hopefully Dr. Travis & Ms. Ryan will write future editions too]! I ate up each and every page, looking forward to the next. Plus it was easy to read and the index was so detailed that I could locate specific concerns quickly as if Dr. Travis was personally answering my inquiry. I loved the personal pictures from the authors' childhood and the last page [Grand Certificate] deserves to be on everyone's wall. If more parents followed the information in this book, the result would be lots of happier children, better balanced and less angry teenagers and less violent and money/status starved adults in our world. I know I will be referring to my copy for years to come ...or until the cover falls off! Perhaps by then the 4th edition will be birthed. I'm also planning to give copies as gifts since what it better but the gift of health!