Photo by EOD
When I moved to Lebanon, I never imagined that I would find so much alternative medicine being practiced here. From acupuncture and yoga in refugee camps to homeopathy and flower essences for women’s health, the healing landscape of Lebanon offers a variety of treatments for a range of ailments. In fact, several friends of mine here practice a range of different healing modalities, such as Ayurvedic medicine, osteopathy, and Reiki. Friends of mine who deliver babies in homebirths (and waterbirths) use hypnobirthing and prenatal chanting as well.
As for me, I never really believed in alternative medicine, until I was forced by circumstances to try it for myself. Since then, I’ve been wandering the globe and visiting with different healers–from Kenya, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Lebanon Siberia, Jordan–and beyond. I’m taking advantage of all of the acupuncture I can get here, since it’s much more affordable than back home.
Today, alternative medicine is also being integrated into the treatments offered at Beirut’s major medical centers. For instance, the American University of Beirut’s medical center is opening the first holistic clinic in Lebanon dedicated to treating headaches and migraines. This is sure to be a significant and influential contribution to the medical and healing landscape of Beirut–and it will likely inspire more hospitals and clinics throughout the country to incorporate holistic healing as well.
From the creative therapies I’ve witnessed while volunteering at St. Jude’s in Beirut (CCCL/AUB) to the opening of this new holistic headache clinic at AUB–it’s thrilling to see holistic healing being integrated into the institutional practice of medicine here in Beirut…
