There is an incredible diversity of professional opinion and approach even amongst practitioners of the same complementary therapies. This applies across virtually all disciplines - acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, kinesiology, massage, nutrition - and also to all types of products and remedies, from massage tables, homeopathic medicines, essential oils, nutritional supplements and allergy testing methodologies.

Exploring and acknowledging these differing paths is an essential element of Positive Health. In recent issues we have published articles about different types of Chinese healing - Chi Kung, BuQi, Shen Tao. All of these forms use an exchange of energy facilitated by the skilled practitioner, but the precise techniques differ. The desired outcome ought to be the same as for any type of healing - the improved health of the patient, regardless of which approach is utilised.

The same rationale applies to other fields - nutrition, allergy testing, bodywork; no one person's approach or professional wisdom is ever identical to the next. And what may be perfect for one person may prove dreadfully unhelpful to another. This is one of the salient features which distinguishes complementary medicine from mainstream allopathy; the unwillingness to treat every single person with a particular condition with the same remedy.

This issue features multiple articles by leading practitioners, discussing major aspects of aromatherapy, kinesiology and allergy testing. They may differ or even disagree in their approaches to their particular field; therein lies the treasure for the reader. For there never was nor will there ever be a sole "right" or "best" way for every single person. We need to cherish and celebrate our differences and continue to discover what is best for each of us.