Midwest Mary

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By

Mary K. Doyle

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The Many Ways to Healing

Stuffy nose, headache, upset tummy, and even obesity. There’s a pill for that. Modern medicine has discovered an endless list of pharmaceutical drugs to “cure” whatever ailment may come your way.

We also have an extensive list of alternatives or complementary remedies to conventional medicine, most of which have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. These are the sources of remedies I seek because I rarely can tolerate chemical interventions.

With age and the stresses of life, I find that maintaining good health requires multiple efforts. I practice several therapies for optimum health.

We begin with the basics: a healthy diet and regular exercise such as walking and swimming. Then we add on other practices such as sauna, as covered in a recent post, massage, yoga, or the centuries-old practice of reflexology.

Most natural remedies aren’t as long-lasting as conventional medications, but I do find that they work for me. I also prefer that they aren’t addictive, as many of the prescription pain medications can be.

Here are some of the other therapies we can utilize to support a healthy life.

Regular Chiropractic
NUCCA Chiropractic
Chinese Medicine
Ayurveda
Acupuncture
Biofeedback
Hypnosis
Aromatherapy
Meditation
Homeopathy
Naturopathy
Herbal medicine
Art Therapy
Music Therapy
Reiki
Rolfing, also known as Structural Integration

Please keep in mind that we can have a negative reaction or interaction with natural and conventional remedies, so we do have to move slowly and cautiously with whatever we decide to use.

What alternative therapies do you practice? How effective are they for you?

©Mary K. Doyle, 2025

Inspired Caregiving. Weekly Morale Builders

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Responses to “The Many Ways to Healing”

  1. Indira

    You may be aware tha Ayurveda is very popular in India. I love that cute herb garden, Mary!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Indira. I don’t know much about ayurveda, but I understand it is effective.

      Reply
  2. kagould17

    Good medical health is more and more important as we get older Mary. We, as you know, walk and cycle, often great distances. While cycling is by E-bike these days, one can never understate the importance of fresh air, moving your muscles and maintaining good balance. We also have an 88 minute exercise routine which concentrates on aerobics, resistance training, weights and balance. We do this every two days. We walk as much as possible to carry out our errands and eat good food from the market, limiting produce and meats from the supermarkets. Every year, I plant a veggie garden and we enjoy fresh produce in season and frozen out of season. If we have aches and pains, we try to do exercises to repair or strengthen. As we all know, we are one wrong move away from injury. Cheers Mary. Allan

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you for your great input, Allan. I know that you and Patty work to maintain optimum health. And yes, fresh air and sunshine are key. Thank you for adding that!

      Reply
  3. capentalc

    Great list. I didn’t know about most of these. I only do meditation and homeopathy.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you for adding your alternatives, Lauren. The first pediatrician I worked with was a homeopathy specialist. I learned a great deal from him.

      Reply
      1. capentalc

        I also use mostly homeopathic remedies when it comes to treating my boys with illnesses and injuries when they were young, too.

        Reply
  4. Penn,…

    There always seems to be an alternative in nature, Mary, … to me it sounds like a well thought out plan by somebody, … natural to me means best, and as you said so well, take it slowly, and check first, … as Indira said, … that little herb garden in the wheelbarrow is a marvellous idea, … I think I might try something like that, … thank you for your informative and helpful blog, … (once again I was looking for the audio, to be able to hear your lovely voice,)….💙

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      You’re so cute, Penn! I usually add audio to the poetry. I’ll think about that as a regular addition. That herb garden was from some park many years ago. A wheelbarrow would take up half of my teeny tiny garden! Love to you, girlfriend.

      Reply
      1. Penn,…

        Love to you too, Mary, 💫💙💫

        Reply
  5. gustavo_horta

    Estou em um tratamento pelas práticas alternativas, sem ter abandonado a medicina alopática, todavia.
    Tenho recebido um tratamento via medicina bioenergética, homeopatia e acupuntura. Está sendo de grande sucesso e bem estar para mim.
    Abraço grande e fraterno.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Obrigada por compartilhar sua experiência com este post, Gustavo, meu amigo. Fico feliz que você tenha encontrado um tratamento eficaz. Fique bem, por favor!

      Reply
      1. gustavo_horta

        Tem sido ótimo!
        Abraço grande e fraterno

        Reply
  6. Dawna

    Hi Mary,

    I’m so glad the natural therapies are working for you. I know they are way more healthy then putting meds into our bodies. For me, currently I am just eating no carbs, very little in the way of fruits and I stick mostly to proteins and veggies. I’m hoping to wean myself off all medications and get healthy with a positive lifestyle.

    I do love to walk and swim. I usually have pups along for the walks, but I was thinking just this morning, I need to put in my air buds and walk alone, at least a few minutes every day.

    Hugs to you my dearest friend.

    Oh, and writing is one of my healthy lifestyle choices. It’s so therapeutic for me.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Yes! Writing is necessary for our mental health. Thank you for your input, my dear Dawna. I know you are putting much thought and time into your wellbeing. Love to you!

      Reply
  7. mjeanpike

    I do agree as as society we rely wayyy too much on pharmaceuticals, Mary. Myself I don’t like to take pills of any kind and would love to get off my bp meds. I’ve started a healthy eating plan (mostly plant based) and walk as much as I can. I LOVE the little wheelbarrow herb garden 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you for chiming in, MJean. The wheelbarrow isn’t mine, but I’m happy you like it.

      Reply
  8. Nancy Homlitas

    I’m of the same mindset as you, Mary, preferring natural remedies. I walk three miles in the morning and go rucking for at least a mile later in the day. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Three miles is great, Nancy. What is rucking?

      Reply
      1. Nancy Homlitas

        I have a Goruck backpack. It has a sleeve inside with 10 pounds of sand. It’s available in varying weghts: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25lbs and up. You walk with it attached to your back. It’s an excellent full-body workout. It strengthens your core and your muscles and improves heart health and circulation, etc. 🙂

        Reply
        1. Mary K. Doyle

          That’s excellent, Nancy. I have a weighted belt, which must be similar.

          Reply
          1. Nancy Homlitas

            Great health minds think alike! 🤣

  9. Looking for the Light

    All great ideas. I only do meditation, sometimes acupuncture, weekly chiropractic visits, aromatherapy everyday. But I will keep the list for future ideas.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you, Dear Melinda.

      Reply
  10. Looking for the Light

    Can I reblog this, it’s great information to share with the community.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Absolutely, Melinda! You never have to ask. Thanks for reblogging, my friend.

      Reply
  11. Mid-Life Mama

    This is a great PSA. With age, I’ve been learning more about natural options. My starting point is daily movement – which is a non-negotiable to limit back pain. Thank you for sharing what is helpful for you. There is always something new for me to learn.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      You are so right about the value of simply moving, MLM. Thank you for adding your insight to this list, my friend.

      Reply
    2. Felix Samuel

      Hello

      Reply
  12. minimouse8

    Thanks!

    Reply
  13. arlene

    Take care Mary.😍

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      You too, Arlene.

      Reply
  14. Max Muhammad

    Great strong list and very descriptive. Always the best and appreciate you

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      And I appreciate you, Mister Max.

      Reply
      1. Max Muhammad

        Always mutual

        Reply
  15. Michele Lee

    Thank you for this healthy share, Mary. Hope your week is off to pleasant start. As you know I love dancing, riding, yoga, and meditating in the morning. Swimming during the hot summer is a favorite of mine. Pools, lakes, the ocean… anywhere there’s water! 🌊

    A few other things you’ve listed that I’ve tried, include: chiropractic, Reiki, Acupuncture, and I studied Ayurveda a few years ago. Not extensively, but the knowledge has remained with me. Interesting and helpful. 🌼

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      You’ve tried a good assortment of alternative therapies, Sweet Michele. I hope your health is good and you are happy in your world. Love you much.

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee

        Love you much, Mary and thank you for being a loving and inspiring angel in my life. I’m doing fine, thank you. Hope you are, too. 💝 Thank you for the article and the focus on health and well-being, and for caring. 🙏🏻

        Reply
  16. Rosaliene Bacchus

    Thanks for the info, Mary. Staying healthy as we age in a toxic environment, such as smoke from wildfires, is quite a challenge.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      That’s very true, Rosaliene. The smoke is not good for anyone. Love to you.

      Reply
  17. Hazel

    I would have loved to try meditation, and I hope I know how to do it. My ideas keep popping when I try to do it. I’ve heard hypnosis is good, too. Thanks for this informative post, Mary. Stay healthy!

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Remaining in the moment with meditation is indeed challenging, sweet Hazel. We simply try our best.

      Reply
  18. K. Ravindre

    I really appreciate this lineup—most of these are completely new to me. My own routine mainly includes meditation and homeopathy.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Meditation and homeopathy are both excellent practices. Best of health and happiness to you.

      Reply
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  20. The Many Ways to Healing By Guest Blogger Midwest Mary

    […] Stuffy nose, headache, upset tummy, and even obesity. There’s a pill for that. Modern medicine has discovered an endless list of pharmaceutical drugs to “cure” whatever ailment may come your way. We also have an extensive list of alternatives or complementary remedies to conventional medicine, most of which have been used for hundreds, if not … Continue reading […]

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  22. luisa zambrotta

    All great ideas. I only meditate, but I found your list fascinating. I’ll think about it more.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Meditation is great for us, Luisa. We need quiet moments in this noisy world. Hugs to you.

      Reply
      1. luisa zambrotta

        I totally agree with you, dear Mary 💙

        Reply
  23. P. J. Gudka

    Really great post. I try to avoid conventional medications too because I’m pretty sensitive and almost always have side effects. I’m not against them though but it’s nice to have alternatives.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Same for me, Sweetie. Be well and happy.

      Reply
      1. P. J. Gudka

        You too.

        Reply
  24. Garden Bliss

    Great alternatives Mary. We’ve recently had a virus which has lasted nearly two weeks – lots of coughing and sneezing. We sipped ginger, lemon and honey tea as well as the well proven chicken soup.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Those are great remedies to remember, Flavia. I hope they worked for you.

      Reply
  25. The Mindful Migraine Blog

    Great list! Art therapy and meditation help me (and Tai Chi) – and I am loving the herb garden… it’s given me an idea about repurposing an old flat-bed-trailer we need to rehome… perhaps the bottom end of the garden as a veggie patch!! Linda xx

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Hi Linda, I used to practice Tai Chi and loved it. You remind me to get back to that. I’m happy the herb garden in a wheelbarrow prompted the veggie patch idea for you. Blessings.

      Reply
      1. The Mindful Migraine Blog

        💚It’s winter here for a few more weeks… so I have time to think about it in more detail, anticipating! And yes, Tai Chi (even in a lighter more intuitive self-directed form) has been a game-changer for me! Take care lovely and have a wonderful weekend, L xx

        Reply
  26. Amy

    Thank you for sharing the list, Mary! Music and arts are wonderful ways to healing for me.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you for sharing your ways to aid your health, Amy. I appreciate you.

      Reply
  27. Edward Ortiz

    Great post, and I like the list. I’ve been getting a deep tissue massage once a month, and it’s been life-changing.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Oooo. Good for you, Edward. I’m happy you find relief from the deep tissue massages.

      Reply
  28. Carolina Cuisine Network

    Nice reading 👍🏼I’d hardly call my daily therapy regimen “alternative “ though. I begin my day with a prayer to the God of creation, the creator of humanity who sent Jesus Christ to us for salvation. God offers eternal life of peace with no more pain or sadness. The Holy Bible has all the information you need to follow along for free and gives guidance for prayer to speak with God yourself. I pray to align myself with the will of God through the Holy Spirit.
    To many people I’ve encountered and my in-laws, I’m called “lucky”. In my life I’ve overcome several near-death experiences, won $10,000 dollars from a raffle, won a truck, inherited a house on 10 acres of good land, have a handsome and loving husband, have a healthy child, have 2 university degrees, and so much more. God has been there the whole time for free and I can’t imagine being more blessed or grateful.

    Reply
    1. Mary K. Doyle

      Thank you for sharing the power of your faith and taking the time to comment.

      Reply

I’m curious about your thoughts and comments.