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Holistic Health Fair clears negative vibes
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer
Using techniques such as Reiki massage, scented oils and hypnosis, alternative medicine provides solace for people suffering from chest pains caused by heart disease, foot sores from diabetes and the debilitating effects of radiation therapy, according to its practitioners. The alternative medicine community staged a health expo over the weekend, with about 24 exhibitors demonstrating hypnosis, healing crystals and potent multivitamins. And just what is alternative medicine? "It has everything to do with getting the body to heal itself," said Carol Hudson, a wellness consultant who is also a registered nurse. "It's an integration of Western medicine and natural remedies." Hudson organized the Holistic Health Fair Saturday at the Citrus County Fairgrounds Auditorium as a way of introducing alternative medicine to a mainstream audience. She said that showing off the different treatments and products together would allow people to see the variety that is offered. These included shoes weighted with metal beads to make each step a mini aerobic workout. They come with socks, described as "socks of the future, which actually contribute to health and wellness." Other products were crystals to provide positive energies, natural vitamins and energy-boosting supplements and hypnosis. The natural remedies include aromatherapy oils, infused with common herbs such as rosemary. A few drops of oil are dropped in a small amount of water and then heated over a diffuser. The aromatherapy is wonderful for a variety of ills, according to Kat Meskil, who owns a shop in Brooksville and sells aromatherapy supplies. "Rosemary has been used this way for ages to stimulate a person's memory, so an Alzheimer's patient can use this," Meskil said. Some visitors to the Holistic Health Fair chose to have a Reiki massage demonstration. The object is to cleanse a person's aura, a magnetic field surrounding one's body that picks up vibrational energies. Some of these vibes are negative and require an aural cleanse such as Reiki. Two Reiki practitioners attended the health fair, Ann Thonen, who led a Reiki workshop, and Helen Ciampi, who offered chair massages. Ciampi is a Reiki master. "Reiki is a massage designed to clear blocking and bring in healing energies," she said. "But I always tell people I'm not a healer. It's the energy that does the work." The health fair was well attended, with several hundred people visiting throughout the day. "I got a little bit of everything," said Mike Zipprich of Inverness, who was leaving with a armful of brochures and product samples. He said he was impressed by the scope of services provided. Hudson also said she was pleased by the turnout. "For a first-time event, it's just been wonderful," she said.
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