By Zena Henry

EASTERN or traditional medicine has been around for thousands of years and had once dominated what is today known as the “health sector.” Its methods are derived from various cultures and societies, some of whose techniques merged and developed creating new forms of treatment as the peoples of that hemisphere travelled, shared and integrated.
Today, modern medicine is tantamount to what is described as Western medicine. This is where for example, large pharmaceutical companies engage in a system of trial-and-error drug creation that involves the mixing of chemicals — natural and synthetic– to create drugs that treat particular ailments.

However, as the health system grapples with new illnesses, the re-currence of illnesses and bad lifestyles that promote poor health, the application and benefits of traditional medicine iareslowly returning. This may very well be the case, since traditional medicine is generally centred on holistic health strategies that tackle illnesses and promote the maintenance of good health.

Traditional medicine involves natural applications such as herbal treatments, dietary therapy and physical techniques such as cupping, acupuncture and massages, among many others. It is no secret that today, more doctors are urging their patients to take a more holistic approach to their health with a specific focus on preventing illnesses, rather than living a lifestyle that eventually leads to them needing medical attention.

It is for this specific reason that Guyanese/ Malaysian therapist Rishon Seegopaul is on a quest to promote and encourage the endorsement of holistic treatment as a strategy for good and maintained health. The 37-year-old who is the offspring of Guyanese and Malaysian parents, has spent more than five years perfecting her craft in Malaysia, Guyana and the United States. Apart from her Bachelors in Naturopathy Medicine and a Degree in Integrated Nutrition, Seegopaul is a certified Reiki Master; she has also completed several complementary therapy courses and performs traditional techniques such as acupuncture, cupping therapy and gua sha among others.

Located at 102 Campbell Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown, Seegopaul’s place of service is called “Moksha” — Centre for Holistic Health Therapy. “Moksha” is the Sanskrit word referring to various forms of emancipation, enlightenment, liberation, and release. It is this type of energy that Seegopaul believes the use of traditional medicines brings. She expressed that holistic health is a situation catering to a person where it is believed that they are not just made up of their physical body.

“So you have an element of your mental factor, emotional and spiritual faculties and all of this kind of work together forming this person. So if you talk about holistic health it’s really treating more than the body; you are also looking at treating the mind and the spirit. So as the name suggests, it’s more holistic, it’s a complete look at health,” the therapist clarified.
She explained that while there is a place for contemporary medicine, particularly in the case of emergencies, Seegopaul believes that when looking at longevity and the maintenance of health, holistic treatment is the most practical option. She noted that in cultures where holistic health is practised, persons live longer, happier lives. She said they are healthier and statistics show lower levels of chronic illnesses and a better quality of life.

With the use of holistic living, persons are generally encouraged to eat healthier, exercise, engage in physical and mental balance techniques such as Yoga among other forms of meditation. Other treatments include acupuncture, that is, the placement of needles in the skin at different points and various depths to activate the body’s natural painkillers to treat this discomfort. Cupping therapy is another element of alternative medicine where special cups are put on the skin and create suction to help with pain, inflammation and relaxation among others. The Gua sha technique is the scraping of the skin with a special tool to treat muscle pain and tension and aid circulation.

Reiki is also a very popular form of alternative medicine and Seegopaul will be hosting her first Reiki class next month. The first course will be two all-day sessions where the class generally deals with teaching students how to apply Reiki for healing on themselves before going on to heal others. The second course deals with using the technique to treat others, while the third course involves teaching the technique to others. The certification is internationally recognised.

Reiki or energy healing is applied through “universal energy” for emotional and physical treatment. This technique is applied with the acceptance of “life force energy,” which acts as a protector and energy bank; It is carried by all humans. To apply for this course and for more information, contact Seegopaul on 231-0691 or 660-7997.