Unquantifiable numbers of patients have reaped the benefits of a host of alternatives to standard medicine over recent decades. Still more, with the ease of info dissemination made possible by the Internet, are just embarking on the use of natural products and giving traditional medicines the brush-off.
What follows is just a small sample of the natural remedies attracting attention.
Firstly, lemon balm, grown in many a domestic herb garden, has been found to have beneficial effects for those suffering anxiety, stress and insomnia, for Alzheimer’s sufferers, and, most recently, for diabetics.
The drink comprising stewed mashed up stems and leaves from the Yerba Mate tree (Latin name ‘ilex paraguarensis’) – hugely popular in Argentina – is now thought to have advantages not just in reliving headaches and combating weight gain, but also for the heart.
The colourful algae spirulina could help cure fatty liver disease (of the non alcohol-induced variety). This news emerged recently and is typical of the breakthroughs occurring almost weekly in the field of natural health solutions.
Antioxidants are the crux of many of these naturally-occurring plants and extracts. These combat the effects of free radicals in the body and can be taken in supplement form. However, definitive proof that the supplements are themselves harmless does not yet exist, leaving one to conclude that the safe way to demolish those unwelcome free radicals is to keep on consuming those fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants and that include sweet potatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts, and especially beans of virtually all varieties.
Besides self-administration of health-boosting herbs and foods, techniques have grown up too numerous to mention, from aromatherapy to iridology and including Traditional Chinese medicine. Probably best known for some of its more exotic components which include the dried turtle and snake, as well as for belief in the preventive powers of ginseng, Chinese medicine also covers non-invasive treatments such as shiatsu massage as well as the slightly more radical acupuncture. Many beneficiaries extol the virtues of these treatments. Probably the best place for the average Joe to check them out is by surfing for independent blogs.
The Pick of the Alternative Health Treatments
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a popular alternative medicine that is practiced by inserting thin needles into a patient’s body at specific points in order to improve health. Created in China thousands of years ago, acupuncture is practiced throughout the world, typically by licensed professionals. In the United States alone several million people use acupuncture each year. Traditionally, the needles were meant to re-balance a patient’s life force, or chi, by being placed in specific points on the body. Practitioners who are more inclined toward the Western school of medicine believe the needles stimulate nerves and muscles, enhancing the body’s innate painkillers. It is used to treat a number of illnesses, most notably to ease persistent pain.
The effectiveness of acupuncture is debated in the medical community, with unsatisfying results from studies and disbelief from a large group. It has been difficult to create studies that follow the scientific method, giving little indication as to the efficiency of the procedure as a legitimate medical practice or a placebo. The American Medical Association, United States National Institute of Health (NIH), and World Health Organization have all stated that there is need for further research to determine whether or not acupuncture is effective. A 2010 report by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a branch of the NIH, used neuroimaging technology in order to definitely discover its effects. Mapping the physiological reactions in the brain’s pain centers has revealed the successful nature of acupuncture in reducing pain. Studies have shown it to help sufferers of chronic back pain, tension headaches, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
When going in for acupuncture treatments it is important that patients know what will be involved. A qualified practitioner can be found by referral of doctor or through a national database. When visiting the acupuncturist they will need a full medical history and any information pertinent to the condition for which the patient has gone to see them. Having the complete picture enables the acupuncturist to draw up a personalized method of treatment, meant to best serve the patient.
The advantages of using Chinese medicine
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Though there are many people who do not believe in the Chinese medicine system, it is becoming more and more popular. There are many reasons for the growing popularity of the Chinese medicine. There are many people who suffer from some kind of chronic diseases. These diseases have had no effect in spite of being treated with the best medications that are available.
As there has been no effect in spite of the treatment, people who suffer from these diseases want to try some other method to cure the disease. The best method that can be used to cure the disease is alternate medicine therapies. There is a long list of alternate therapies that are available, once the Western system of medicine has failed. This includes the use of herbal therapy, Ayurvedic therapy, Yoga and also Chinese medicine.
Many people prefer the Chinese medicine because of the many advantages that it has over the other methods. The Chinese system of medicine has been found to be more effective than the other alternate therapies that are commonly used. Treatments like acupuncture have been compared with other systems of medicine in treating specific disease and have scored well over the other treatments.
The lack of any side effects is another reason for many people trying to use this medicine system. There is a lack of any toxic chemicals entering the body. There are also no complications that arise because of using the Chinese medicine. Either the disease is cured or it is not cured, but the use of this system of medicine does not worsen the condition or complicate matters. This is another important advantage of this medicine system. The final advantage is that the Chinese medicine is much more economic as far as the pricing is concerned, when other treatments including surgical treatment are concerned.
Homeopathy as an Effective Alternative Medicine
Homeopathic medicine attempts to treat symptoms by exposing the patient to a diluted substance that would cause the same symptoms. For example, if a patient’s symptoms are similar to those caused by mercury poisoning, they would be treated with a highly diluted form of mercury. When a homeopathic expert says that the formulas are highly diluted, they are not exaggerating. Many of these formulas are diluted by one billion or more parts of water. Similar theories are used to make vaccines and to treat allergies in common pharmaceuticals.
Critics of homeopathy point to the high levels of dilution to call this alternative medicine treatment option a hoax. After all, some homeopathic potions are diluted to the point that no active molecules of the original substance can even be found. While official studies often report conflicting information, anecdotal evidence proves that homeopathic therapy is extremely effective for certain individuals.
Because there is virtually no chance of side effects with homeopathic medicine, there’s little harm in trying one as an alternative medicine to harsher prescriptions. This natural medicine can even be taken along with traditional over-the-counter or prescription medications. With the wide variety of options available in homeopathic remedies, the real problem comes in finding the right one for an individual problem. Many symptoms overlap, and it can be a bit of trial and error to find the correct combination.
Benefits to this alternative medicine are numerous. Of course, it has already been mentioned that this is an effective, all-natural treatment option with few side effects. It is also provides rapid and complete solutions when the right formula is found. Homeopathic remedies work with the immune system, and once relief is provided, treatment can be stopped immediately.
Alternative Medicine for Canines
Just like people are turning to alternative medicine to solve their own health problems, they are also turning to these natural methods to provide treatments for their dogs. Many of the same medicines and procedures that are used for people are often used for our best friends in the veterinarian’s office. It shouldn’t be any surprise that alternative medicine would also offer similar benefits to our furry best friends.
Acupuncture is one of the most popular alternative medicine treatments for dogs. This involves inserting very thin needles into acupuncture points on the dog’s body to control the flow of energy. It is useful to control pain levels in older dogs caused by arthritis and for other chronic conditions. The fact that acupuncture works well on dogs illustrates the fact that acupuncture is a valid treatment method for anyone.
Herbal remedies are often used to treat arthritis and allergies in dogs. These gentle, natural formulas provide relief without harsh chemicals or side effects. Nutritional supplements can also be added to the diet to supply vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Any dog that learns a trip to the vet means a massage treatment will run to the car. Just like in people, massage is an alternative medicine treatment that can reduce stress levels, control pain, increase circulation, and boost the immune system. If nothing else, the dog will be happier after their rubdown.
Homeopathy is also used for dogs. Like people, a dog would be given a highly diluted formulation that contains a tiny bit of a substance that would cause the symptom to a healthy dog. For example, if a dog has diarrhea, they would be given a homeopathic potion that contains a substance that would give the dog diarrhea at full strength. However, the remedy is diluted in water by as much as a billion times.
To find a veterinarian that practices alternative medicine techniques, ask around. Your neighbors, your groomer, or your favorite pet store might be able to recommend someone. There are also professional organizations that provide referrals. Make sure whoever you choose is licensed, certified, and experienced.
Alternative Medicine for Cats
Just like chiropractic care strives to promote health in humans through spinal alignment and joint manipulations, it can also be used to help cats experience improved health and a better quality of life. Acupuncture is another popular physical alternative medicine procedure used with cats. Very thin needles are inserted in the cat’s body at certain points to control pain and relieve other chronic conditions. Massage can also be used with cats to control pain, improve circulation, and relieve stress.
Nutritional therapy and vitamin and mineral augmentation therapy attempt to improve a cat’s health through their diet. Many cats have allergies or are too finicky to eat the proper foods to maintain the best nutrition. By adding all-natural foods and other supplements to the cat’s diet, many health conditions can be improved. Frequently, allergies can be controlled this way instead of using stronger steroid shots or trying to give your pet a pill or liquid medications each day.
Homeopathic remedies are another alternative medicine treatment that can be used with cats in much the same way as they are used with humans. In homeopathy, symptoms are relieved by giving highly-diluted formulas that contain a tiny amount of a substance that would create those same symptoms in a healthy patient. The dilution occurs by adding the substance to water in equal portions, then taking half of it and adding another equal portion of water. After this has been done about a billion times, you have a homeopathic remedy that relieves symptoms but couldn’t possibly cause any side effects. While common sense tells one that this couldn’t possibly work, many people receive rapid results from homeopathic remedies.
Tai Chi, a Form of Alternative Medicine
Originally created as a form of Chinese medicine, Tai Chi is an accepted form of alternative medicine used around the world to improve the health and well-being of its participants. It uses gentle movements and deep-breathing techniques performed with full awareness of each phase. Tai Chi is sometimes described as “moving meditation.”
In ancient China, Tai Chi was originally created as a type of self-defense exercise and fit into the martial arts realm. As time passed, people began to use it for its health benefits. Tai Chi uses traditional Chinese philosophical concepts like the opposing forces of yin and yang and the human body’s internal energy force known as chi.
As an alternative medicine technique, Tai Chi is used as a low-impact aerobic exercise that improves cardio-vascular health with minimal wear on the body’s joints. It is also a weight-bearing exercise that builds muscle and can help to prevent chronic conditions like osteoporosis. Because the movements are slow and gentle, it is often recommended for elderly patients to improve coordination, flexibility, and balance. These improvements are particularly beneficial to the older Tai Chi participant because they can dramatically reduce the risk of falls. Tai Chi can also ease the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis and other conditions. If the participant has insomnia, they may find that regular Tai Chi exercise sessions greatly improve their sleep patterns. For most people, Tai Chi can also improve anyone’s general physical condition and overall sense of wellbeing.
Currently, Tai Chi is considered to be more of a type of exercise than a medical treatment although it is on the list of officially recognized alternative medicine methods. Tai Chi instructors are not regulated or monitored by either the United States Federal government or any state government body. A Tai Chi instructor is supposed to be trained by a Tai Chi Master. They aren’t supposed to teach this ancient Chinese form of exercise without the Master’s approval. However, there is a lot of variation from one training program to the next. Before choosing a Tai Chi instructor, the interested individual should observe a class and ask questions.
Chinese Medicine can Relieve Some Cancer Symptoms
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For over two thousand years, Chinese medicine practitioners have used acupuncture to ease a variety of ills. This practice involves the insertion of special needles into various points in the body. Although this sounds painful to anyone who’s never had an acupuncture treatment, most people don’t feel any discomfort when a qualified acupuncturist inserts each needle. Modern acupuncture often adds electrical stimulation to traditional techniques for an even more effective treatment.
It’s no real surprise to people who turn to alternative medicine techniques that this older method from Chinese medicine can bring relief to many cancer patients. Now, even experts trained in Western medicine appear to agree. Some specialists at New York and New Jersey hospitals are suggesting that their patients consider acupuncture to control their nausea, pain, and fatigue.
Some skeptics of Chinese medicine may hesitate before believing even an expert opinion. However, the fact that acupuncture can be used successfully in veterinary practices to relieve pain and provide anesthesia services on animals proves that you don’t have to believe in it for it to be effective. Even the skeptics may find some relief if they venture near an acupuncturist’s needle.
One study evaluated 58 patients who had surgery for their lymph nodes due to cancer near their larynx and thyroid. This is typically a very painful form of cancer and medical procedure. Half of the group received conventional pain relief therapy in the form of physical therapy and prescription medications. The other half received the Chinese medicine stand-by for pain, acupuncture treatments. The group that received acupuncture experienced less pain overall when compared to the other group. As a bonus, they also had less cases of the dry-mouth side effect that many radiation patients experience. In this example, it would appear that Chinese medicine was the clear winner.
Similar studies have been done on leukemia and breast cancer patients. Keep in mind that acupuncture doesn’t work for everyone, and you may have to try more than one Chinese medicine practitioner before you find the right one for you. Make sure that each one is certified to practice.
Chinese Medicine is Part of the Green Medicine Movement
Like everything else, Chinese medicine is doing its part to become part of the “green” movement. Green medicine attempts to look at every possible source of medical treatment to provide a unified and balanced approach. While Chinese medicine is not the only type of treatment included in the green movement, it is a major part.
Many people have been frustrated with the symptomatic approach offered by Western medicine. In some cases, it may solve one problem, but create another one. Instead of treating isolated symptoms, green medicine along with Chinese medicine looks at the patient’s entire system to try to connect symptoms that may occur in seemingly unrelated parts of the body. Green medicine’s philosophy is to heal not only the body, but also the heart, mind, and soul of the patient.
Instead of trying to stifle symptoms, Chinese medicine looks at what each symptom means. As the body tries to self-regulate and heal itself, symptoms are generated. Sometimes the body succeeds at self-healing, and sometimes it needs help. Trying to pop pills to relieve the latest symptom can work against a body’s self-healing mechanism.
Green medicine, with its Chinese medicine component, has a theory that the suppression of symptoms can make them mutate into another disorder. This reasoning attempts to explain why one major illness can be medicated away only to have another one, sometimes much worse, appear. Green medicine explains that this could be the reason that there has been such an increase of chronic diseases, auto-immune diseases, and psychiatric disorders over recent years.
Many patients have already reached the point where they see practitioners of alternative medicine techniques in addition to their standard Western doctors. This could include Chinese medicine areas like acupuncture or herbalists in addition to chiropractors, homeopathic doctors, nutritionists, and spiritual healers. The green medicine advocates are urging Western doctors to encourage their patients to include these alternative medicine practices in their overall health care program instead of discouraging it. After all, patients are going anyway. All parties involved would do better to work together instead of separately.
Americans are Turning to Alternative Medicine for Pain Relief
With the increase in drug recalls, more and more Americans are turning to alternative medicine for pain relief. It is estimated that more than $34 million was spent in 2009 on alternative methods to control chronic pain, one of the largest health concerns of many people around the globe. In addition to the recalls, both over-the-counter remedies and stronger prescription medications come with a long list of side effects and can even lead to addiction problems.
Chiropractic care is one type of alternative medicine that many people choose to help control their chronic pain. This treatment option involves manipulation of the spine to improve alignment and circulation. It is often used along with physical therapy and can help with headache, backache, arthritis, joint disease, and more.
Many people also choose acupuncture as their alternative medicine treatment choice. Acupuncture uses very thin needles inserted at certain points to stimulate the nerves to produce natural pain relieving chemicals. This procedure has been used in Chinese medicine practices for over 2,500 years with success. It can be used to treat chronic pain and can be used as surgical anesthesia.
While physical therapy isn’t always thought of as an alternative medicine area, it is a non-invasive, all-natural way to relieve pain. It uses both passive and active stretching and strengthening exercises to return the injured person to a better state. Physical therapists also use hot packs, ice packs, and ultra-sound therapy to reduce the pain levels in their patients.
Yoga and Tai Chi are good methods to reduce pain. These gentle exercise routines from the Far East use stretching to increase flexibility and smooth movements to build strength. The relaxation and stress-release that these alternative medicine methods provides also helps relieve pain.
While using biofeedback machines, patients learn to control pain through their own body’s responses. For example, a signal may flash when a patient’s muscles tense up in response to pain. They can learn to relax their muscles to make the signal stop flashing. The relaxation techniques that are learned with this alternative medicine method can relieve many types of pain including migraines and tension headaches.
