Healing Hands Trivia Quiz

Answer: Reiki

This practice originated in Japan in the late 1800s, although energy healing has a history of many centuries. The basis of the therapy is that the body is surrounded by energy fields and that energy is passed from the healer's hands to the patient, unblocking energy trapped in the body. The name of reiki derives from the Japanese words for 'universal' and 'life energy'.

Some studies have shown that reiki does reduce pain, although this may be related to the patient's expectations, but has no curative effect.

Answer: Reflexology

Reflexologists have charts which indicate which part of the foot relates to internal organs of the body. Examples include the intestines and lumbar region being linked to the area near the heel and the ball of the foot being the area which will help the heart. Treatment is said to relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body's natural response to discomfort. Reflexology is sometimes recommended by the UK's National Health Service for patients with cancer.

Answer: Homeopathy

The ideas behind homeopathy were developed in Germany in the late eighteenth century by Samuel Hahnemann. The premise is that a much diluted version of the substance which caused the illness can be used as a cure. Scientific evidence has indicated that there is no validity to the concept, with the amount of dilution meaning next to nothing of the original material is left. Pills are still available, but several countries, including France, do not allow prescriptions for homeopathic remedies to be issued by doctors.

Answer: Aromatherapy

The use of oils for therapeutic purposes has a long history, with evidence of their use by ancient Greeks, Chinese and Egyptians, among others. Different oils are used depending upon whether the user needs to relax or be invigorated. There is no evidence to show that aromatherapy has any direct medical benefit - there is no proof that it has either preventative or curative properties.

There could be psychological benefits, but anyone who is suffering from an illness should consult their doctor first.

Answer: Acupressure

The use of acupressure has a history going back over 2,000 years, when it originated in China. Applying pressure to certain points is said to relieve pain in other parts of the body. Examples are neck pain, which can be helped by pressing on on the area between the index finger and thumb while a pressure point on the calf can help ease pain in the lower back.

It can be viewed as a massage technique which can help with relaxation which, in itself, can aid pain reduction.

Answer: Osteopathy

Since this involves moving and stretching the body, osteopathy is more tightly regulated than some of the other alternative treatments covered in the quiz. In the UK, osteopaths are regulated by law. There is some evidence that osteopathy can help with lower back pain and treatment is sometimes, if rarely, available under the UK's National Health Service.

Answer: Shiatsu

Shiatsu is the Japanese version of the Chinese acupressure, with massage applied using fingers, thumbs and the palms of the hands. It was developed from a fourteenth century technique called anma, which was itself an adaptation of earlier Chinese techniques. Despite claims made, there appears to be little scientific evidence that shiatsu has any benefit other than relaxation.

Answer: Cupping

The Ancient Egyptians used a form of cupping therapy, so this is another technique which has been around for a long time. Cups, which may be glass or ceramic, are applied to the skin to create suction. The cups may be applied dry or wet, and are heated to create a vacuum when applied to the skin. Again, there is little scientific evidence to show it works, but some of the diseases practitioners claim can benefit from the treatment are skin disorders like acne and mental issues, such as depression.

Answer: Balneotherapy

This could be seen as a fancy name for spa treatments, although practitioners wouldn't agree. Thermal treatments for diseases have been around for centuries, with some natural waters, especially those containing sulfur, being beneficial for skin disorders. To be classed as thermal, the temperature of the water needs to be at least 20 degrees Celsius when emerging from the ground.

Other ailments for which balneotherapy might help include arthritis, fibromyalgia and back pain.

Answer: Herbalism

Of all the treatments in the quiz, herbalism is likely to be the best known and the one with a proven track record. Throughout history, plants have been used as a natural cure for illnesses and were, for centuries, the only means of treating disease. You may even have used them yourself, without being fully aware - as a child I was taught to use dock leaves to soothe nettle stings, for example.

Other historic treatments include quinine from the bark of the Cinchona tree and digitalis (foxglove) used for heart problems.

As with all types of alternative medicine, be wary and discuss options with your doctor first.