Each therapy has treatments that fall into general categories. The categories refer to the primary mode of operation of the therapy.
By mode of operation we are referring to the method by which the treatment is believed to effect a change in health. For example some therapies are manipulative where the effect is brought about by mechanical means applied by a therapist. Some are pharmacological or chemical.
The following is a list of the main modes of therapeutic action:
Diagnostic System
This refers to popular techniques that are really for diagnosis not so much treatment. Examples are allergy testing or iridology;
Diet Therapies
The use of food or herbs in promoting or restoring health. It is closely related to herbal therapies;
Energetic Therapies
These advocate the restoration or maintenance of health by the adjustment of energy fields or flows in the body. Examples are Acupuncture, Crystal Therapy, Homoeopathy;
Exercise Therapies
Exercise systems are physical systems that rely on physical movement often under the guidance of an expert. Examples are Feldenkrais, Tai Qi or Yoga;
Herbal Therapies
The use of herbs, food and other substances to treat illness or promote health. It is closely related to diet;
Manipulative Therapies
Manipulation is a physical treatment that usually relies on someone applying the treatment to somebody else. Examples are Massage, Colonic Irrigation or Chiropractic;
Psyco-Emotional Therapies
Therapies that work with thought emotion and habits. Examples are counseling, Hypnotherapy or EFT.
Sometimes an actual technique will overlap several areas of therapeutic action for instance Shiatsu would be considered as a manipulative therapy but also as an energetic therapy as the selection of manipulations is based directly on understanding the energy systems involved.
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