Evelyn Lim asked:


Those of us who claim that we do not practice any form of alternative medicine or therapies have missed out considering all the simple remedies that we apply at home.

Consider the following examples:- - Do you massage your neck at the back when you have a splitting headache? - Do you put an ice pack on a sprained ankle? - Have you not ever used some aromatherapy for your room? - Have you not ever take some honey when you are having a bad throat? - Have you not ever taken chamomile tea for cooling and for de-stress? - Do you drink your mum’s traditional herbal chicken soup home brewed for 10 hours meant for strengthening and warming your internal body?

In fact, these represent just a few out of the many simple remedies that we use in our everyday life. When we think of alternative medicine or therapies, we conjure images of some out-of-the-ordinary practices. Of course, alternative medicine and therapies can range to the more “unconventional” ones like hypnotherapy, past life regression, energy healing, etc. But mostly, they are not.

Here comes some surprising statistics. The World Health Organization estimates that between 65 and 80 percent of the world’s population (about 3 billion people) rely on traditional (read: “alternative”) medicine as their primary form of health care. It further states that when these traditional medical treatments are introduced into Western culture, they are seen as complementary or alternative.

Most of us tend to fail to factor in these alternative everyday remedies, but choose to think that we are believers of conventional medicine versus alternative medicine. After all, conventional medicine is very much backed by well documented research, statistics and proven theories; whereas alternative medicine is not. Still, having the benefit of practicing some of these home remedies, there is no denying that they do help in providing some form of relief and treatment. In addition, they don’t cost much in terms of money and time, and most importantly, have few or little side effects.

It is therefore, a good idea to spend some time to get to know more about these alternative therapies and remedies and apply them more diligently to our everyday life. We may choose to include massage therapy, aromatherapy, eating a healthy diet, practicing yoga and relaxing breathing techniques. In the end, our spending on drugs and doctor’s bills is likely to be less and at the same time, we will be adopting natural methods to heal ourselves.



Javier
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Sam3931 asked:


I have horrible migraines. I have taken every type of presription medicine possible- none have worked. Usually when I get a headache, we resort to using steroids (which I hate). Is there any way I can use alternative medicine to help prevent or ease the pain of a migraine?

Stephen
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Emanuele Allenti asked:


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.



Mildred
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Markus Wahlgren asked:


Maybe your doctor recently broke the news that you have diabetes. Or you have learnt that you are at risk of getting diabetes. And so now you are worried scared of what diabetes will do to you. Worried about the drugs you have to take and their side effects. Its not just you who alone is worrying. There are about 21 million American adults and children who suffer from some form of diabetes. Though insulin and other anti diabetic drugs are available, many are now resorting to alternative medicine.

What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is condition in which the glucose in your blood is higher than normal either because the hormone insulin is not secreted at all or whatever insulin is secreted does not work properly. This increased blood glucose affects almost all the important organs in our body including the heart and kidney. It is said that diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death. Insulin and oral anti diabetic drugs are routinely prescribed to treat diabetes.

Alternative medicine the new trend

The faith in alternative medicine is rising very steeply and it is estimated that as much as 50% of the American people are using some form of alternative treatment. One of the surveys conducted on alternative medicine concluded that people felt there were added benefits from alternative medicine use, lower cost, and perceived fewer side effects.

The alternative medicine for treating diabetes is basically divided in to two categories:

*Those that can control the blood sugar levels

*Those that help in weight loss and thus indirectly control diabetes.

To control blood sugar levels

Vitamin and mineral supplements help the body to secrete insulin well that helps in controlling diabetes. It is said that minerals like chromium, magnesium, vanadium and zinc help control the blood sugar levels.

Many plant foods decrease the blood sugar levels by virtue of their fiber content among other mechanisms. Some of the popular plant foods that are used to control blood sugar are fenugreek seeds, peas, brewer’s yeast, buckwheat, broccoli, garlic, ginger, ginseng, hawthorn, nettle and okra.

To control weight

Type II diabetes is associated with obesity. It is said that maintaining optimum weight is the single most important factor in controlling blood sugar in Type II diabetes. People use many substances as part of alternative treatment to bring down their weight and thus indirectly control diabetes. Some of the popular substances used to control weight are extract of Hoodia gordonii, chitosan, camsogia garcinia, pyruvate, germander, Momordica charanta, Sauropus androgynus and aristolochic acid.

The other alternative therapies being used to treat diabetes are - faith healing, reflexology, macrobiosis, astrotherapy (tying pieces of coral around the arms), pearl therapy (oyster pearls boiled in milk and then drinking the liquid), meditation, ayurveda and homeopathy.



Justin
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Brad Hodges asked:


Alternative medicine is defined as any form of medical treatment that is different from conventional treatments. Alternative medicines are becoming more and more popular as their effectiveness is increasingly tested and proven for treatment. There are many different types of alternative medicine techniques in use today.

Homeopathy

The word homeopathy comes from the Greek for “similar disease” or “similar suffering.” Homeopathy is not just about administering different medications than the traditional prescription drugs given by doctors. It is also about diagnosing and classifying different medical conditions to find the best treatment possible for the patient.

The goal of this type of alternative medicine is to enable the body to use its own mechanisms to stimulate healing and prevent diseases from occurring. Homeopathic medicines are called remedies. These remedies are usually given in small doses. Practitioners work to tailor a treatment plan for each individual to gain the maximum benefits. They concentrate on the body as a whole, and not just treating the symptoms that ail the patient.

Naturopathy

Naturopathic medicine was founded in India and works on the basis that the body can heal itself. To this end, naturopathic practitioners steer clear of synthetic medicines and invasive surgical procedures as a means to heal their patients. Instead, they opt to combine other alternative medical treatments, such as herbalism, acupuncture, and aromatherapy, as well as others. This type of alternative medicine is practiced in many countries, but is not always accepted because of its varying standards of regulation.

Reputable naturopathic practitioners are trained to use imaging studies and blood tests to help them get the full picture of what is wrong with a patient before administering any treatment options. They will then recommend alternative treatments for a prescribed amount of time. If the treatment does not work for the patient, a practitioner will refer the patient to a physician to obtain conventional medical care.

Chiropractics

Chiropractics is a branch of alternative medicine that deals with diagnosing and treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and how these diseases affect the nervous system. Many of the procedures used in chiropractics emphasize manual therapy, using alignments and manipulations to correct the affected area.

A chiropractor must obtain proper training and receive a degree before beginning to work with patients. He uses a combination of measures to help heal a patient, including lifestyle counseling, a regimen of exercise, and a variety of tissue therapies. Much like naturopathy, chiropractics is based on the belief that the body can heal itself. Chiropractors help to realign areas of subluxation to help the body do its innate job.

Herbal Medicines

The basis of herbal medicines is to use plant derivatives instead of chemicals to heal diseases and prevent symptoms. People who use herbal medicines are adamant in their belief that herbs are not drugs. It is believed that by using herbal supplements on a regular basis, you can help your body ward off diseases for an ultimate healthy lifestyle. It should be warned that using herbal drugs in conjunction with prescribed medications can cause serious side effects. You should never take herbal supplements without consulting a physician first.

There are literally hundreds of herbal medicines available on the market today. Be cautious when picking which ones are right for you. Herbal medicines do not have to be tested before being marketed, so it is hard to say if they will work the same way for everyone. If you are interested in taking herbal medicines, talk with an herbalist in your area to get the best supplement plan for you.



Monica
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psanchez95 asked:


I need to find some info on which professions are regulated, state-by-state, as well as which of them are mandated and covered by insurance companies. Can anyone give me a website or some info. I tried National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) but they had no direct info.

Alexander
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champion asked:


hello. so what do you think, should alternative medicine be covered by insurance? why yes or why not.
thank you.

Laura
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njs814 asked:


Fo all those experienced with Alternative Medicine or anything related: what can I do to heal my broken heart. It has been months since my ex dumped me and I still think about him everyday. I want to move on with my life but I can’t get happy. Please help!

Willie
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Feb
19
Zachary Thompson asked:


What is alternative medicine? This is a term used to describe the different forms of medicine other than conventional methods. Alternative medicine includes a wide variety of medical practices including non-European (non-Western) medical practices and will include some new approaches to medicine. There is also a term called complementary medicine. This is a combination of conventional medicine coupled with alternative medicine.

With increasing research and new findings in medicine there is a universal rise in the Western nations of alternative medicine. In the Eastern part of the world, namely the Orient, some forms of alternative medicine has been practiced for many centuries. Part of this trend in the West may be due to the growth of medical education among people and the increased amount of travel to different regions. More literature is now available on this subject and medical societies specializing in different forms of alternative medicine are available.

Some of the most common forms of alternate medicine are:

AcupunctureHomeopathyNaturopathic medicineOsteopathy

Acupuncture: this is an ancient art which had its origins in the Orient. It involves manipulating and inserting needles into special points in the body. It is thought to restore health and create well-being. There are several forms of acupuncture which are taught worldwide. This is one of the most famous forms of alternative medicine.

Homeopathy: is a form of medicine that tries to stimulate the body’s immune system in order to promote healing. The practice of Homeopathy endeavors to bring the entire body back into homeostasis, or balance.

Naturopathic medicine: Is a practice that is designed to stimulate the body’s own healing system. This system utilizes multiple forms of alternative medicine. It can also be referred to as Natural therapy, and can include dietary supplements, exercise and different foods.

Osteopathy: Was originally a form of alternative medicine based on manipulation of the joints. It is still used for chronic back pain. It is often used with other forms of medicine.

When treating illness and serious diseases it is important to consult your physician before taking any decisions. Many doctors will endorse some sort of alternative medicine coupled with conventional medicine, especially if conventional medicine is not proving very effective for a chronic condition. Despite the lack of credibilty given it by MD.s, some alternative medicine can work surprisingly well. It will all depend on your particular illness and your own body’s functionality whether alternative medicine will work well for you.



Leslie
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reallifeanswers asked:


I have looked at many questions and almost every one of them has people responding that are against whatever the person is doing. Even telling them they are chasing the latest snake oil or there is no such thing as a cure for … Get real people there are cures for everything! The US government suppresses them because the drug companies would all be out of business. The politicians own stock in the drug companies. They don’t make any money if you are not sick! Animals in the WILD don’t get sick, have heartattacks, etc. They also don’t consume drugs. The board is for alternative medicine. Be helpful or get out! Don’t come in here dissagreeing with us about things you are not educated with.

Jack
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