There has been a surge in recent years of people looking to alternative medicine for treatment of illness. It is a practice that generates a great deal of controversy both inside and outside of the traditional world of medicine, and an issue that some experts say does not receive enough attention.

What Is Alternative Medicine? The most commonly accepted definition of alternative medicine is a treatment or substance that is untested or unproven using accepted scientific standards. Common types of alternative medicine include herbs, supplements, therapies and activity programs that fall outside of traditional medical practice and are questionable in terms of safety and effectiveness. For example, acupuncture, massage, meditation, herbal teas, and plant extracts are quite popular forms of alternative medicine that many medical doctors say are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst for some conditions.

Why Is Alternative Medicine So Popular? Alternative medicine has grown in popularity as more and more people face the inevitable aches, pains and illnesses that come with aging. In some cases, traditional medicine has failed to produce a cure and patients go in search of other options for treatment of their illness. In other cases, patients believe strongly that natural methods of treating illness are superior to traditional medicine so they seek treatment from alternative practitioners rather than medical doctors.

The Risks Of Alternative Medicine Some of the greatest risks associated with alternative medicine come from the use of substances that are untested, ineffective, and sometimes unsafe. The makers of such substances often make exaggerated claims of effectiveness and/or misrepresent the science associated with the substance in order to convince consumers to buy their product, even if use of the product may endanger the consumer’s health or well-being.

For example, some herbal remedies are promoted as having the ability to improve memory, increase metabolism, or even cure diseases like cancer and heart disease. In practice, though, some remedies may actually cause physiological harm when taken in excessive amounts, ephedra being one well-publicized recent example. Another risk is that a person with a serious condition such as cancer, heart disease or some other chronic illness will forego more traditional treatments that have been proven effective in favor of alternative treatments that are of questionable value. They may be literally risking their lives by treating illness with unproven alternative medicines rather than scientifically validated traditional medicines. Another common risk associated with alternative medicine is when a patient uses both traditional and alternative methods of treatment but does not disclose this to their medical doctor. It is very common for prescription medications to produce negative interactions when taken at the same time as alternative medicines like herbs and plant extracts. These interactions may range from diminished effectiveness all the way up to and including toxicity that causes serious harm. If the medical doctor is not made aware of any other substances the patient may be taking, he or she may unknowingly prescribe a medication that produces and unwanted or harmful interaction.

How To Recognize Potentially Risky Alternative Medicines A good rule of thumb to follow is that if a product, substance or therapy sounds too good to be true then it probably is. While you may already be familiar with this cliché, it is worth repeating because it is often true when it comes to alternative medicine. Beware of any product that claims to be “miraculous”, “a scientific breakthrough”, “amazingly effective”, “an ancient remedy”, “a secret formula” or possess some other attribute that supposedly makes it superior to more traditional medicines.

If you are considering an alternative form of therapy, such as reflexology, acupuncture, biofeedback or the like, carefully check the qualifications of the therapy practitioner before undergoing treatment. What kind of training has he or she received, and is that training from a reputable source? Research the treatment itself to determine if it is something that has been scientifically tested, evaluated, and found to be effective. Don’t take the practitioner’s word for it, and don’t accept at face value the claims of anyone who stands to make money or benefit in some way if you choose to undergo the treatment.

Finally, ask your doctor about any form of alternative medicine that you are considering. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so then find a doctor with whom you feel more at ease and discuss the alternative treatment you are considering. Remember that a trained medical professional has the education and experience to help you make good, safe decisions about whether or not to use alternative medicine.



By: Emanuele Allenti

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From medical doctors the chief objection about alternative medicine (http://www.nature-be.com/alternative-medicine.php ) is that it is “not proven.” By this statement it is meant that alternative medicine has not been meticulously tested like the pharmaceutical drugs have been.

According to Western medical doctor a meticulous test means that the medicine should go through one or preferably more irregular double blind clinical trials. This testing process is known as the gold standard of Western medicine.

This whole process is pretty expensive plus includes highly qualified researchers, an authentic research methodology, a couple of patients to test, plus a long period of time to observe results. Well the doctors are not right in saying this. Because alternative medicine has gone through rigorous testing several times and in multiple ways.

Exactly, that what I am talking about? Chiropractic adjustments are being tested. Then massage has been tested. Acupuncture. Yoga. Reiki. Reflexology. Herbs. Vitamin therapy. You name any alternative therapy; they all are being tested, and that to may be a lot of times.

I am wondering how you guys haven’t heard such results. Let me tell without any favoritism, that there is not even a single corporation that takes such published studies into account or benefit from it; it’s only left to the general public usually to read medical journals when they are formerly published. There are few astonishing example I would like to share with you.

Clinical and Laboratory Research in August 2003, this was actually a study published in the medical journal Multiple Sclerosis that few researchers estimated the effects of reflexology on reducing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

They figured out unbelievable results. Reflexology lessen the patients symptoms with paresthesias (burning, prickling, itching, tingling), urinary symptoms and spasticity (uncontrollable spasms). And this was contrasted to a control group that received a form of fake reflexology.

Similar to this another study shows that was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in July 2002, that aromatherapy is quite helpful to patients suffering from acute dementia. The effects of this therapy made them less restless plus more inclined towards the social interaction and participating in constructive activities.

And both of these studies were done by the standard of “gold standard” trials. Which is as mentioned above, randomized double-blind controlled trials? Both of these studies are just two of other hundreds of studies that have been conducted globally several times mostly proving convincingly that alternative medicines work.

We can rely on many kinds of alternative medicine, effective, proven treatments that can help people with a huge diversity of illnesses, conditions and symptoms without causing any unease, side-effects and death that pharmaceutical drugs cause in so many cases.

I think that the mishmash of both alternative medicine usage plus a better approach to health insurance can aid us all live healthier lives and pay much less for healthcare and insurance

For more information about Alternative Medicine Proven visit: http://www.nature-be.com/Alternative-Medicine-Proven.php



By: Jacques Bayle

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Think you don’t know what alternative medicine is? It’s more common than you think, and now has a firm place in the world today. Certain therapies not formerly thought of as legitimate medical treatments are now being used on a more frequent basis to treat a variety of ailments, quite often with endorsement from the medical community. Some of the more common types of alternative medicine treatments include:

• Massage therapy

• Aromatherapy

• Hydrotherapy

• Acupuncture

• Herbal Remedies

• Meditation

• Spiritual therapy

More than likely, you are familiar with many of these treatments; maybe you have even experienced a few yourself. Many of these treatments are not only used to treat many common health problems, but are used by people all over the world in order to achieve total well-being.

For thousands of years, the treatments deemed alternative today were standard practice. And now, people seem to be turning to these optional therapies when they are in a health crisis, or if they feel they have nowhere else to turn.

There are factions of people throughout the world who prefer to take advantage of the natural effects that alternative medicines and therapies offer, rather than depend on synthetic drugs to cure or prevent ailments. Herbal medication have the benefit of being completely organic, or from the earth, and often provide equivalent remedies to prescription drugs.

Alternative medicines and treatments have become part of the fabric of our society today. While many of these therapies are meant to be used as a treatment for a health problem, some are used by people as simply a method of relaxation or reward. Chief among them is massage therapy. Massage has become incorporated into the routines of many individuals in today’s society as a means of stress reduction, rather than pain relief.

Meditation is another form of alternative medicine that has become an integral part of many lives in today’s society. With its roots steeped in ancient spiritual history, meditation acts like massage in that it provides a release for stress and anxiety. In order to perform mediation correctly, though, you should learn as much as you can about it first. Many people enjoy this type of alternative therapy a great deal because of the personal control they have when performing it. Many individuals in today’s society highly recommend meditation as a type of alternative medicine.

The stresses of today’s society have led some to cry out for change. Many find solace and healing in alternative medicine treatments. The natural treatments and calming effects of many of them are exactly what many people have been searching for in order to reduce their stress. The average person is forced to deal with a large amount of stress on a daily basis. Alternative medicine and treatments bring relief to the stresses and anxiety that people of today’s society feel weighed down by.

In today’s society, we see a great deal of stress, anxiety, and illnesses. Alternative medicine provides a viable option to traditional medicine that aids people in the maintenance of their well-being in their busy lives. Massage therapy and meditation are two common treatments that people can turn to, that can also have a positive effect on today’s society as a whole. As we move forward in society, you will continue to see a shift towards more acceptance of alternative medicine and therapy.



By: Ken Snow

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Alternative medicine can be described as a medical treatment that rejects conventional medicine and follows other courses of action. This may include using herbal remedies, acupuncture, and aromatherapy whilst all the while incorporating the self awareness of the patient. This is probably the largest difference between alternative medicine and conventional treatment; it tries to incorporate an understanding from the patient in order for them to grasp how the treatment is helping them to recover as well as the physical body functions that are aiding the treatment.

Holistic medicine also falls under the realm of alternative treatment. Relying on natural methods plays an important part in this, using fruits, herbs and naturally occurring vitamins is widely used to help healing and recovery. Alternative treatment has gained in popularity in recent years, although not largely used for serious ailments; day to day problems and illness prevention seem to be the most powerful lures for patients.

While western medicine is heavily reliant on modern science, antibiotics and complicated drugs, alternative treatments instead rely on age old wisdom of societies in China and India. Modern alternative medicine however is taking a far more scientific approach using expansive clinical trials to assess effectiveness. Ultimately the objective of alternative practitioners is turn people away from relying on drugs and medicines that in the long run work towards harming the immune system.

Physical forms of alternative medicine include osteopathy and yoga, these types of treatment work towards strengthening the body and in general making it more physically healthy. Other forms of this therapy include practises such as tai chi, meditation and reflexology. As well as the physical benefits of these practises they also provide the patient with a means of relaxation as well as spiritual enrichment.

Massage that manipulates the muscles of the body can be extremely useful in combating ailments. Naturally the physical benefits of this treatment are well documented; less well know however is the relaxing of the mind that this form of treatment provides. Places of the body to focus on in massage are the head, feet, neck, shoulders and back.

Meditation while not being an explicit form of physical treatment can help the body greatly. By learning to control and focus the mind it is surprising how many benefits can be gained. Meditation allows patients to create a positive mental attitude to their wellbeing, perfect for hypochondriacs who are often stressed about their own health.

Some alternative medicine does not even require visiting practitioners; many people are now buying a range of herbal teas with unbelievable properties. In fact the number of boutiques offering substances such as dried jasmine flowers and camomile is increasing. As well as these two however many natural teas are available giving patients a means to relax themselves and improve bodily functions. Keeping an eye on what you eat and drink is also a vital constituent of healthy living and maintaining the body’s levels of nutrients.

Alternative medicine has become more widely used because of the dissatisfaction with conventional forms of treatment. Understandably patients are shocked by the stories they read in the press of ’superbugs’ and wish to avid regular healthcare because of this. Obviously the most serious of conditions should be treated conventionally but for re-occurring minor ailments alternative practitioners have a vital part to play in people’s health.



By: Thomas Pretty

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