Self- Actualization: Fully realizing one’s individual human potential.
Self-Awareness: Self-conscious state of focusing attention on oneself.
Shaman: Among tribal peoples, a magician, medium, or healer who owes his powers to mystical communion with the spirit world. Characteristically, a shaman goes into auto-hypnotic trances, during which he contacts spirits. Shamans are found among the Siberians, Eskimos, Native American tribes, in S.E. Asia, and in Oceania. There is also now a development of shamanic healers and practitioners in North America. (See Spiritual/Shamanic Healing.)
Shark Cartilage: A supplement touted as a cancer treatment. Sharks, whose frames are composed of cartilage not bone, get cancer infrequently. Proponents of this treatment claim sharks get cancer infrequently because something in their cartilage inhibits the ability of tumors to create the blood supply needed to continue growing. Shark cartilage is also promoted as an immune system stimulant and remedy for joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Shiatsu: A form of Acupressure, used in Japan for over 1,000 years to treat pain and illness and for general health maintenance. Practitioners apply finger pressure at specific points on the body in order to stimulate chi, or vital energy. Shiatsu may be used to treat stress, circulatory problems, depression, asthma, headaches, diarrhea, Bronchitis.
Sounding the Body: A diagnostic and therapeutic technique which is used in sound healing. Sound healers read a patient’s body by singing a series of tones and listening for imbalances in the natural frequencies of the body or its’ energy fields. Imbalances are said to be indicated by changes in the tone of the healer’s voice. To correct a problem, the sound healer applies sound to the patient’s body by singing certain tones near the affected organ, or by applying tuning forks or electronic vibratory instruments to the body.
Spiritual/ Shamanic Healing: Practitioners who regard themselves as conductors of healing energy or sources from the spiritual realm. Both may call upon spiritual helpers such as power animals, angels, inner teachers, the client’s Higher Self, or other spiritual forces. Both forms of healing can be used for a range of emotional and physical illnesses.
Structural Examination/ Diagnosis: An osteopathic diagnostic technique involving a visual, hands-on assessment by an osteopathic physician of the skeleton, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Subluxation: In chiropractic, a misalignment of bones within joints said to interfere with the flow of nervous impulses and diminish the body’s ability to stay healthy.
