Once upon a time natural healing was all people knew, so by default it was their primary health care. During the past century the western world of “conventional” allopathic medicine has pushed back natural healing, defined it as supplementary or alternative and often dismissed it as medieval or outdated. But now the tables are turning again as more and more people seek out 200,000 year-old alternative medicine to better their health.

According to a recent government survey http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/04news/adultsmedicine.htm, more than one third of U.S. adults use some kind of alternative or complimentary medicine. This includes meditation, yoga, breathing exercising, chiropractic care, herbs and other methods. When prayer for health reasons was included in the survey, the number of people using natural healing methods rose to 62 percent.

The survey also said that people turned to alternative medicine mostly to treat back and neck pain or problems, colds, joint pain or stiffness, arthritis, insomnia, anxiety and depression. The majority of patients, the survey noted, did it on their own without seeking an advice from a licensed practitioner.

In 1997 American public spent $36 billion to $47 billion on alternative healthcare, medical studies say. $12 of these billions came out of personal pockets, $5 billions of the out-of-pocket money were spent on the herbal products.

So what draws people to the old-fashioned methods of healing? According to a 1996 medical study, the most popular reasons are dissatisfaction with “conventional” methods, ability to actively participate in the treatment and the whole person emphasis.

Among other reasons, many people choose alternative methods simply because it is culturally and traditionally their primary choice of health care. One of alternative healing approaches, the traditional Chinese medicine, for example, is prevalent in Asia, India, Europe, North America and Mexico, said Adam Burke, Ph.D, a professor of Holistic Health studies at SF State and a licensed acupuncturist. This medicine includes methods like acupuncture, herbs, cupping, movement of body and energy (Tai Chi), massage, sex and meditation.

Burke said there is a rising interest among his students in the alternative medicine approach because of its preventing and long-lasting effects. He said about 20 percent of his students show interest in acupuncture and other “non-traditional” methods.

Michelle Bennet, 22, a junior student majoring in graphic design, decided to try acupuncture last month at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. She had a few needles stuck into her arm and between her eyebrows. “It felt warm and heavy and kind of weird,” she said. Bennet said she wanted to try it for her allergies but felt like her condition was not serious enough for this kind of treatment. “I don’t know if it would help me in the future,” she said.

George Corns, on the other side, a 56-year nursing student, gets acupuncture every week in addition to yoga, massage and meditation for his diabetes, heart and hyper tension. He started doing acupuncture three times a week for his increased heart beat rate because the pills could not slow it down and caused too many side effects. Now after less than a year of natural healing treatments Corns is down to just one acupuncture session per week and his heart beats normal. During his acupuncture sessions Corns has up to 42 needles inserted into certain spots of his body. “I really don’t feel it. The needles are so thin… Maybe a little sting,” he said describing the sensations of needles inserted and then tapped into his body. “I feel this energy rush in my body from my toe fingers all the way to my head. It’s almost orgasmic.”

SF State students like Corns who are interested in learning natural healing techniques can obtain a certificate in Holistic Health from the Holistic Health Institute or take a few classes as a segment three requirement. Holistic Health learning center located in HSS building, room 329, offers variety of materials for anyone interested in the subject.

Student Health Center (SHC) also tries to accommodate a student demand for natural healing services. About 20 students come to the SHC for weekly meditation sessions every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. This semester, the Student Health and Advisory Committee (SHAC) sent a proposal to the vice president of Student Affairs to reestablish services like massage, reiki (a Japanese form of healing through touch and energy) and interactive imagery, once available to the SF State students.

If the services are approved they will be available to all registered SF State students.