Acupuncture
Acupuncture is based on an ancient Chinese theory. This theory states that life force Hows ih rough the human body via fourteen invisible channels regulating the mental and physical processes. The 'puncture' in the word acupuncture, refers to the insertion oi tiny needles in specific points on the surface ol the body. The use ol this therapy has been widely successful in easing withdrawal from the addiction to drugs and alcohol, and is used in many detoxification clinics in the United States. Although it has been practiced for many years as a method of traditional healing, Indians have only recently started to embrace this method.

Acupuncture
This science deals with the human body and the How of natural energy within the body. It is practised with the use of only one tool, the human thumb. Pressure is applied on different pressure points on the body that stimulate the corresponding glands of the body. It has been around lor many years, and flourishes in countries like China and India.

pranic Healing
Pranic healing is baaed on the principle that the body has the capacity to heal itself', and a catalyst is used to accelerate the healing process. This catalyst is called the Prana (vital source ol lile that is all around us). It is a non-touch, non-invasive process. This system of medicine believes that all living beings have two selves, the physical sell'and die energy that forms the exterior cover. The two are said to be intertwined and intrinsic, so much so that the energy is often referred to as the 'ethetic twin". According to Pranic: healing, the requirement tor being healthy is when both the energy and the physical self are in harmony. Healers try to cure disease by clearing or cleaning energy systems.

The system comprises ol 11 major chakras (corresponding to vital organs), or power centres in the body. These are the Basic chakra (located at the base of the spine), Sex chakra, Meng Mein chakra (located approximately at the back of the navel), Navel chakra, Spleen chakra, Solar Plexus chakra, Heart chakra, Throat chakra, Ajna chakra, Forehead chakra and the Crown chakra. Each chakra has its own position and it controls a set of organs. The healers use their hands to detect malfunctioning in the body (called scanning). They clean the used up or diseased energy with sweeping movements ol their hands and dispose this waste energy in a bow! of salt and water (water dissolves the diseased energy and salt disintegrates it). Then, they receive the Prana from the atmosphere with one hand and project it to the diseased chakras of the patient with the other hand. This system can be used to alleviate a large number of ailments ranging from brain tumors, stomach disorders, ulcers, skin diseases to mental diseases like depression, schizophrenia, and mental retardation.