The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

A gallon of milk costs over $3 and gas is now over $3.40 per gallon. The price of every thing has gone up so much so that many people don't know how they're going to afford to get around anymore. The bigger issue is that more and more people are having to forgo health care because the cost of treatment is becoming unbearable with doctor visits costing anywhere from $75 to $150 without insurance.

That being said, many of the under insured and those not insured are turning more towards alternative forms of treatments for their ailments. Several forms of alternative treatments are:

Reflexology is based on the theory that there are certain reflex points on the feet, hands and head that are linked to every part of the body. Those that practice this form of treatment use a system of massage therapy to help relieve tension and attempt to treat different illnesses.

Massage therapy is rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with a persons hands to help relieve tension or pain. Massage therapy can help aid the healing process and promote relaxation and well-being.

Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils during a massage or during a bath. Many believe that the use of essentials oils, whether by massaging on the skin or by ingesting small, safe amounts of the oil, can help "cure" the ailments they suffer from. There are even different concoctions that can be made up for the different ailments or even to help boosts one's memory. For example, to help with stress relief, one can mix the essential oils of bergamot, chamomile, lavender, lemon, Orange, patchouli, vanilla and ylang ylang. Please seek a professional, experienced aromatherapist before attempted to mix (and ingest) any of the essential oils.

Acupuncture is a system of complementary medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles. This form of treatment is used to alleviate pain and to treat different physical, mental and emotional conditions. This form of treatment was first originated in China, but is now widely practiced in the western cultures.

Engery healing is a form of healing that allows the therapist to channel energy into the patient by means of touch, or just barely hovering over the skin, to activate the natural healing process of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being.

There are several forms of this kind of treatment including Reiki, which means "universal life energy;" Healing Touch, which came out of the licensed nursing community in the U.S. during the 1980s; Quantum Touch, which focuses on using the practitioner's breath to intensify treatment and they use their energy to amplify the patient's own energy thus allowing the patient's energy to heal themselves; and ThetaHealing, which focuses on thought and prayer, relying on God to do the actual healing.

It's not hard to find some of the alternative treatment methods right here in Orange County. In fact, one of The Record's own practices Quantum Touch.

Penny LeLeux, of Orangefield, has been delivering energy healing for two years now. Even though she had never turned to any other form of alternative medicine other than the occassional massage, she had once been told that she had the mark of a healer.

"I thought, 'okay, so now what?' About two years ago, I finally came across somebody that actually taught Quantum Touch and it's been something I've been interested in for a while," she said. "I finally took the class. I've been doing it for two years in February."

Energy healing is still relatively new to the area, so trying to find out more about it was a little difficult for LeLeux.

"I met them through a web site called 'meet up,'" she said. "It's a site where different groups can meet up there and it tells them where they're going to have the meetings. One of my other groups is on "meet up" and one day I was just browsing and I just stumbled on to the group."

Since LeLeux is virtually the only certified practitioner in Orange County that practices Quantum Touch, she is still working on gathering up a client base.

"Alot of [people] are still [skeptical]," she said. "Some people don't understand it, so they have a little fear. It's about as natural as you can get. Anybody can learn to do it. Even kids can learn how to do it."

LeLeux doesn't have an office where she practices other than her little booth at the Orange Trade Days.

"I just can't see spending the money on electricity when I don't have any equipment or anything," she said. "I can do this anywhere."

While alternative forms of medicine are becoming more popular, that doesn't replace the need of physicians and nurses. Patients should always consult their doctor before attempting a new form of treatment.

For more information on Quantum Touch, please contact Penny LeLeux at 409-728-5970 or visit http://www.quantumtouch.com.