In spite of their widely contested effectiveness, alternative therapies continue to be an extremely popular choice. At the very least, these practices can help you take a break from your daily stressors and relax. And who wouldn’t benefit from a little R&R?

How the old ways and the new come together to help you get better

Alternative therapies blend old-world knowledge with modern trends to help you on your personal wellness journey. Many practices have few if any negative side effects, so the only way to know whether they’ll work for you is to give them a try! While alternative therapies can’t replace standard medical treatment, they can work together to support your wellbeing. The research behind the effectiveness of these methods is still growing. Before adding any new practices to your wellness regimen, be sure to consult your doctor to make sure there won’t be any unsafe interactions with any medication you may be taking. 

Get an Unbeatable Tan

BeetTan Solutions

It might sound like the latest health food craze, but beet extract (DHA) has been a natural ingredient in sunless tanning products for decades. Organizations including the Skin Cancer Foundation even recommend DHA-based sunless tanning as a safer alternative to tanning beds or stretching out under the sun. BeetTan Solutions—which also offers a mobile service to bring your tan to you—takes it a step further by offering products you can feel good about using, and not just because they make you look good. They only use organic, naturally derived ingredients that hydrate and tone skin while also drying quickly so you can get your glow and go! Beettan.com

Soothe Stress and Scars

Pelindaba Lavender in Downtown Savannah

Lavender boasts a long history of medicinal, therapeutic, and culinary uses in addition to its lovely fragrance. Perhaps most commonly associated with aromatherapy treatments for sleeplessness and anxiety, it also has naturally-occurring antiseptic and anesthetic properties that can soothe minor skin injuries and prevent infection. It can also reduce scarring by increasing collagen production and tissue regeneration in healing wounds. Pelindabalavender.com

Balance Your Doshas

Natural Wellness Medical Solutions Center

Based on the belief that wellness comes from a balance of mind, body, and spirit, Ayurvedic medicine was developed more than 3,000 years ago. Treatments promote good health by balancing the three life forces, called doshas, present in the human body. Best used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care, Ayurvedic treatments see to your spiritual and mental wellbeing. Natmedsol.com

Soak up Sound

Peacefully Rooted

Skip the bubbles and opt for a different kind of healing soak with a sound bath. Sound baths have been used to reduce tension, anxiety, pain, and high blood pressure for more than 40,000 years. The vibrations and music of instruments like Tibetan singing bowls activate the part of your nervous system that regulates rest, causing your muscles to relax and breathing to slow. You’ll enjoy a state of deep relaxation that soothes both body and mind. Peacefullyrooted.com

Try a Dry Hydromassage

Brown Chiropractic

For those who want to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy but find the idea too invasive, dry hydromassage offers the perfect alternative. There’s no need to undress or fuss with oils and creams! A chair or table filled with water uses jets to deliver therapeutic heat and pressure to where it’s needed, letting you reap all the benefits of a traditional massage without sacrificing your personal comfort. Savannahchiropractic.com

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