At Echostone, we understand the appeal of these holistic practices, as they often empower individuals to take an active role in their health and well-being. Practices like Reiki, sound healing, and Ayurveda can offer emotional and spiritual benefits, fostering a sense of connection and mindfulness that aligns with our holistic philosophy. However, many of these methods lack rigorous scientific validation, and some—such as extreme detoxes or iridology—may carry risks or promote misinformation. Our team, including Dr. Kyle Kelly, ND, CCH, Dr. Lena Marwood, ND, and Dr. Elias Carter, ND, MPH, AP, is committed to guiding you through these options with transparency. We focus on integrating safe, evidence-supported practices into your personalized care plan, ensuring that any complementary therapies enhance, rather than replace, your overall health strategy. Through our virtual consultations, we aim to help you explore these practices thoughtfully, always prioritizing your safety and well-being.
We understand that essential oils can serve as a valuable complementary tool for some, providing aromatic and emotional benefits to support your holistic wellness journey. While scientific evidence on their therapeutic effects varies and they are not a replacement for evidence-based treatments, essential oils may enhance relaxation, mood, and overall well-being for those who find them beneficial. Our team is dedicated to discussing essential oils with care, offering safe usage guidance and clear expectations, so you can incorporate them thoughtfully into a personalized, patient-centered care plan designed to meet your unique needs.
Reiki and Energy Healing
Reiki, a Japanese practice, involves a practitioner channeling "universal energy" to balance the body’s energy fields, often through light touch or hovering hands. Promoters claim it can reduce stress, alleviate pain, and promote emotional healing. While many patients find it relaxing, scientific evidence supporting its physiological effects is limited, and benefits may stem from the placebo effect or the calming nature of the session. At Echostone, we view Reiki as a potential complement to other therapies, such as mindfulness, but encourage patients to use it alongside evidence-based care.
Sound Healing and Vibrational Therapy
This practice uses sound frequencies—often from instruments like singing bowls, gongs, or tuning forks—to promote relaxation and healing. Advocates suggest that specific vibrations can align the body’s energy, reduce stress, and even address physical ailments. While sound therapy can enhance relaxation and mental well-being, claims of curing physical conditions lack robust scientific support. For our virtual practice, sound healing might be explored through guided audio sessions, but we’d pair it with established stress-reduction techniques.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy involves using highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities, based on the principle of "like cures like." For example, a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person might be used in a diluted form to treat similar symptoms in illness. While homeopathy has a long history and is popular in some holistic circles, numerous studies have found it to be no more effective than a placebo for most conditions. At Echostone, we prioritize therapies with stronger evidence, such as herbal medicine, but we’re open to discussing homeopathy’s role in a patient’s wellness journey if they find it meaningful.
Ayurveda
Originating in India, Ayurveda is a traditional system that uses diet, herbs, massage, and lifestyle practices to balance the body’s energies (doshas). It’s often promoted for its personalized approach to health, addressing everything from digestion to mental clarity. Some Ayurvedic practices, like using turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, have scientific support, but others, such as certain detox rituals, lack rigorous evidence and may carry risks if not properly supervised. At Echostone, we appreciate Ayurveda’s holistic framework and may incorporate its principles, like mindful eating, into our virtual care plans, while ensuring safety and efficacy.
Chakra Balancing
Rooted in ancient Indian traditions, chakra balancing focuses on aligning the body’s seven energy centers (chakras) through meditation, visualization, or the use of crystals and essential oils. Proponents claim it can address emotional blockages, improve energy flow, and enhance overall well-being. However, the concept of chakras is not recognized in Western medicine, and evidence for its effectiveness is largely anecdotal. For patients at Echostone, we might explore chakra balancing as a meditative practice to support emotional health, but we’d emphasize its role as a complementary tool rather than a primary treatment.
Detox and Cleansing Rituals
Detox practices, such as juice cleanses, colonics, or new moon/full moon rituals, are often promoted as ways to "purge toxins" and reset the body. While the idea of detoxification is appealing, the body’s liver and kidneys are highly effective at eliminating toxins naturally, and extreme detox methods can sometimes do more harm than good, such as causing nutrient deficiencies or dehydration. At Echostone, we focus on supporting the body’s natural detox processes through balanced nutrition and hydration, and we caution against unproven cleansing fads.
Iridology
Iridology involves examining the iris of the eye to diagnose health issues, based on the belief that different areas of the iris correspond to specific organs. Promoters claim it can identify underlying imbalances before symptoms arise. However, scientific studies have consistently debunked iridology as a diagnostic tool, showing no correlation between iris patterns and health conditions. We at Echostone do not rely on iridology, as we prioritize evidence-based assessments, but we’re happy to discuss its historical context with curious patients.