Alternative medical therapies are back in business and increasingly gaining traction from the public with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Stress management therapies and immune system boosters are seeing a rise in takers after Dubai resumed complementary medicine therapies.

Health care professionals have welcomed this move as it also brings the much needed economic relief to most clinics as well as reassuring patients with their continued treatment which was disrupted due to Covid-19 pandemic.

To put patients at ease and keep them safe, these clinics are implementing a slew of hygiene measures as per the guidelines laid down by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

"With all our walk-in patients we first check the temperature and in case, there is any doubt patients are sent for swab tests. Apart from that all other precautionary measures are in place. We have also noticed there are too many people who are in a panic mode now. So, special ayurvedic treatment or therapies focused on this aspect is clearly on the rise," said Shameema Abdul Nazar, ayurvedic practitioner at Metro Medical Centre.

"Health awareness for all age groups is becoming important which entails different herbal preparations, yoga therapy or breathing exercises pertaining to strengthening one's lungs, managing panic and improving sleep are seeing demand," she added.

Life coach and energy healer Girish Hemnani said: "It's encouraging to see more individuals seeking to learn and practice breath work and energy healing as it is instrumental in increasing the immune system. As an energy healer, for the first time I am witnessing that individuals are looking for protective measures and natural ways to increase and maintain their immune system. Prana (life force energy, also known as chi) is being well understood now and various techniques to increase the prana level are being practised."

Homeopathic doctors are also observing a sizeable increase in demand now. "The demand for general immunisation treatment or a need for immunity booster is witnessing a surge. People with active fever are asked a set of questions on the phone first and are routed differently depending on the nature of their replies," said Dr Rozina Baig Zaheer, homeopathic practitioner at Zia Medical Centre.

"However, I am noticing an increase in anxiety cases these days. My patients are relieved that they can finally continue with their preexisting treatment related to a host of other problems. We are back to offering customised treatment on a case-by-case basis," she added.

Using natural herbs to cure different types of diseases, a traditional Chinese medicinal facility located in Dubai Healthcare City, continues to offer certain in-house procedures on an urgent basis. "We provide a complete array of services, from consultation, herbalism, acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and Tui-Na (remedial massage). But right now, patients are prioritised. For example, recently we've been treating a patient with facial paralysis. For all non-urgent cases, we use teleconsultation and delivering medicines at the patients' doorstep," said Deyuan Wei, director of Beijing Tong Ren Tang.