Curing Eating Disorders Through Alternative Treatment

Eating disorders are most prevalent in teenage girls. Their bodies are beginning to change and they are discovering physical attractiveness in themselves and others. This time in their lives is very crucial in developing body image. If they are teased about the unique shapes of their bodies they may develop an eating disorder. If a girl develops a Beyonce' booty, she may be teased for having a bottom that is rounder than the average. After all, most women in media praised for having "perfect" bodies are not so endowed. She may start to consider herself fat and try to make her bottom smaller by losing weight. She will eventually notice that dieting isn't making her bottom as flat as other girls and decide she needs to try harder. The process could continue until she has full-blown anorexia or bulimia. Pressure from society, troubled emotions, and possibly a tendency toward depression seem to help our once perfectly healthy girl develop an eating disorder.

While eating disorders are most prevalent in teenage girls, the rest of society is not immune. Males and females of all ages are susceptible to society's ideas about the perfect body. Athletes and actors receive pressure from coaches and fans to achieve and maintain an ideal weight. People who diet to lose a few pounds may begin to rely on positive comments about their weight loss for self-confidence.

Yoga on a regular basis increases overall body health. Yoga teaches a person to be fully aware of their bodies while having relaxing and healing it. A study released in 2005 by the Psychology of Women Quaterly suggests as a person becomes more aware of their body in this positive way, the less they self-objectify and become more satisfied with themselves. In contrast, aerobics is less effective in treating the attitude that enables eating disorders. An adult may receive criticism from their own family or friends about their weight. Any unhealthy incentive to lose weight can lead to an eating disorder. Understanding what causes the eating disorder helps find treatment. The Mayo Clinic suggests psychotherapy, nutrition education, hospitalization, and medication. For those of us without expensive medical insurance, we may find relief through alternative medicine.

Hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is as effective against eating disorders as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Both work to change patterns of limited thinking. Hypnosis can be initially used to find the reasons behind a person's eating disorder. Once the causes are defined, hypnotic techniques can be implemented to combat the thought process that feeds the eating disorder. The power of suggestion can lead a person to imagine themselves with a positive self-image and healthy eating habits. With these images in the subconscious a person is more likely to realize them.

Yoga. Yoga on a regular basis increases overall body health. Yoga teaches a person to be fully aware of their bodies while having relaxing and healing it. A study released in 2005 by the Psychology of Women Quaterly suggests as a person becomes more aware of their body in this positive way, the less they self-objectify and become more satisfied with themselves. In contrast, aerobics is less effective in treating the attitude that enables eating disorders.

Herbs. Educating one's self about the nutritious value of herbs can prove to be very beneficial. Herbs have medicinal qualities that you can incorporate into your diet according to your needs. Chamomile has calming qualities that many already enjoy by drinking tea. One teaspoon steeped in a cup of hot water and you have a great drink for relaxing the negative moods or anxiety that lead to eating disorder.

Homeotherapy. Homeotherapy treatment is prescribed after an in-depth interview with the patient to discover their eating habits and cravings. Carcinosin, ignatia, pulsatilla, and staphysagria are homeopathic remedies for anorexia and bulimia. They target fear of becoming fat, rejection, abandonment, and guilt. Targeting these psychological reasons for eating disorder is as effective as medications.

Massage Therapy. The University of Maryland Medical Center credits massage therapy for inducing a calming effect, boosting the immune system, while also reducing pain and stress. These qualities have effects comparable to psychotherapy or medications in people with eating disorder because they help with depression and anxiety. Massage therapy may improve body image.