What is Alternative Medicine?
In recent years, much curiosity has aroused over the socalled alternative medicine. Some sectors even link it to religion; others view it as just the natural way to find cure to ailments. And still others resort to it for practical reasons – the cost is m
But alternative medicine is not limited to herbal remedies alone. The term includes all other forms of medical treatments other than the mainstream therapies; hence, ‘alternative’. The alternative treatments are also referred to as “integrative” or “complementary” medicine.
According to the health website www.webmd.com, about 40 percent of adults in the United States say they use some form of alternative medicine. The percentage could be significantly higher in the Philippines. In some rural Philippine communities, people would prefer to go the local medicine men even if medical doctors are available.
Many forms of alternative medicine have since been embraced by the mainstream medical community. These are the therapies that have been proven to work. And the new wave of medical doctors is quite open in prescribing these to their patients.
The www.webmd. com website explains some popular alternative medical treatments and their benefits as well as potential risks:
Acupuncture. This is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses needles to stimulate specific points around the body. The person who performs this therapy – an acupuncturist – sticks thin, sterile needles into the patient’s skin. The goal is to help the body’s natural healing process to kick in. Studies show that acupuncture can be effective in treating a number of conditions, like neck and back pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, insomnia, infertility, and more.
Chiropractic Medicine. This practice focuses on the body’s structure – mainly the spine – and how it functions. A trained professional called a chiropractor uses different techniques to adjust (“manipulate”) the patient’s spine or other parts of the body so that these are in proper form, or alignment.
The goal of chiropractic medicine is to ease pain, improve body function, and help the body to heal itself naturally. Much of the research around it has focused on low back pain. But studies show chiropractic medicine can also be helpful for a number of other ailments, like headaches, neck pain, joint problems in the upper and lower body, and disorders caused by whiplash.
Energy Therapies. These focus on the energy fields many people believe exist in and around the body. Included in this category are:
Magnetic Field Therapy. This uses magnetic or electrical fields to treat a number of musculoskeletal problems. Studies show that it can work for osteoarthritis and other pain conditions. It’s also been found to help fractures heal faster. Magnetic field therapy may not be safe for pregnant women, and those who have an implanted cardiac device, use an insulin pump, or take a drug given by patch.
Reiki. Those who practice this alternative treatment believe it taps into the body's natural energy to speed up healing. The practitioner hovers his hands over the patient’s body or places them lightly on the patient’s skin. The goal is to channel energy through his hands to the patient’s body to promote healing. There’s been very little research to back the claim.
Therapeutic (“Healing”) Touch. Here, a therapist uses his healing energy to identify and repair imbalances in a person’s energy field. Unlike Reiki, the therapist doesn’t touch the patient. He simply moves his hands back and forth over the patient’s body. Research shows healing touch can reduce anxiety in people who have cancers. It can also increase their sense of wellbeing. But it’s unclear if it works for other issues, as well.
Herbal Medicine. This alternative therapy uses parts of a plant – its roots, leaves, berries, or flowers – to heal the body. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 80 percent of people around the world use herbal medicine.
Studies show that certain herbs are effective in treating a number of health issues, like allergies, premenstrual syndrome, chronic fatigue, and more. Unfortunately, herbal supplements can be sold without being proven to be safe or effective. A medical doctor shall be consulted before using them.
Ayurvedic Medicine. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and is still widely used in that country today. Those who use it rely on herbs, special diets, and unique practices to treat illnesses.
But Ayurvedic products can also be dangerous. Researchers have found toxic minerals or metals, like lead, in some of the products. And there hasn’t been enough research or clinical trials to support that Ayurveda works.