Bodywork and Massage Treatment of HIV-Aids

There is much evidence that suggests that many complementary and alternative therapies have a therapeutic effect on the body, relieving stress, anxiety and depression in HIV and AIDS patients. People living with AIDS have the opportunity of using aromatherapy and massage. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from plants that are applied to the body giving relief to particular conditions. One oil, which has been valuable to people suffering from AIDS, is Tea Tree. This has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal action (Franchomme and Penoel 1990). As the HIV virus depletes the immune system, bacterial and fungal opportunistic diseases develop in individuals. For example Candida Albicans is a fungal disease which affects the tongue, throat, esophagus and the bowel. This disease causes discomfort and pain in AIDS patients. However, Tea Tree is an effective method of controlling the disease.

Not only does aromatherapy treat specific conditions but there is evidence that there are psychological benefits also. The stigma surrounding AIDS has many negative effects on the mind and body. People living with AIDS are viewed by some people as the `untouchable` in society. Therefore, the hands-on intimacy of aromatherapy has a great psychological benefit. Aromatherapy is an excellent example where the mind and the body are both being treated.

There is evidence that massage has many benefits. Massage therapy is a viable health option to help alleviate pain and discomfort from everyday life, overuse, habitual patterns, occupational stresses, and many chronic pain syndromes. Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to gain a therapeutic response. Soft tissue includes muscles, skin and connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and membranes. Swedish massage is presently the most common form of therapy practiced; more often known as the "relaxation" massage. Other modalities may include Reiki, hydrotherapy (primarily hot packs) movement re-education and home exercises and stretching that you can do to maintain your body`s poise and balance.

Many of today`s health problems arise from stress. Because stress upsets the delicate integral balance of all your body`s functions, regaining this balance requires a holistic approach. Massage therapy not only treats those parts of you which require immediate attention, but has also been found to have positive effects on circulation, immune function, digestion, the nervous system and is safe and effective if used for stress management.

Massage is the manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for remedial or hygienic purposes. Therapeutic massage is not only beneficial in relieving a variety of physical symptoms including chronic pain, but it may also be effective for relaxation and stress reduction. Massage can help people with HIV/AIDS relieve chronic muscle tension and ease the mental and emotional stress that accompany the illness. Body manipulation/massage techniques that are being used to treat HIV/AIDS include acupressure, the Alexander technique, deep muscle therapy, polarity therapy, reiki, rolfing, Shiatsu, Rubenfeld Synergy, Swedish massage, and therapeutic massage.

The Benefits of Massage:
• Anxiety levels are reduced.
• Muscular tension and fatigue are reduced.
• Pain minimized by the hormone endorphins.
• Reduction in emotional stress.
• A feeling of warmth gained by improved local blood circulation.

Chiropractic Meru Chikitsa
The word `Chiropractic` is derived from Greek and means "treatment by hand". The basic focus of Chiropractic practice is the relationship between structure and function in the neuromusculoskeletal system—that is, the interrelationship of the nervous system, joints, and muscles. This interrelationship is evaluated for dysfunction in joint movement, muscle imbalance, etc.

Chiropractors theorize that illness results primarily from disturbances in the human nervous system. Chiropractic medicine is a system of therapeutics that attempts to restore normal function by manipulation and treatment of the body structures, especially those of the vertebral column. Through manipulation, Chiropractors may be able to relieve joint stiffness and pain, which are common complaints of HIV/AIDS patients. Once entirely frowned upon by allopathic practitioners, chiropractic medicine has gained increasing respectability as a means of providing physical therapy and of relieving stress and pain.

Meru Chikitsa is an ancient ayurvedic technique of therapeutic manipulation that seeks to do much the same as chiropractic. Practitioners of the former claim it is a more holistic technique. Chiropractors treat patients without the use of drugs or surgery, and refer patients for medical care when necessary.

Meru Chikitsa is an ancient ayurvedic technique of therapeutic manipulation that seeks to do much the same as chiropractic. Practitioners of the former claim it is a more holistic technique. Chiropractors treat patients without the use of drugs or surgery, and refer patients for medical care when necessary.

The major clinical responsibility for treating persons infected with HIV, today and in the future, falls on the primary care physician and Chiropractor, who is used as a portal of entry into the diagnostic arena. Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners, which means that you do not need a referral from a Medical Doctor to make an appointment. Chiropractic approaches healthcare from a holistic point of view, meaning that the entire body must be considered in the treatment of a patient, not just the part that is ailing. Prevention of disease is also emphasized as opposed to waiting for disease to occur and then trying to cure it.

The chiropractor must become adept at HIV screening, sexual history taking and counseling both his staff and patients on risk reduction. AIDS prevention is an important preventative health activity for every chiropractic physician.