Alternative Medicine Treatment Options

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine?

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are becoming more popular and common as they become more widely known. Alternative medicine is treatments and interventions that are not considered a part of the standard care that doctors and other health care professionals use, such as treatment provided by a naturopath. Complementary medicine institutes treatments that are in addition to the standard care provided by health professionals, such as using acupuncture in addition to pain medication for tendinitis.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is sometimes referred to as naturopathic medicine and is focused on improving overall health rather than fighting disease when it occurs. Naturopathy focuses more on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle. Some popular treatments given by a naturopath include organic diets, supplements, herbal medicine, yoga and meditation, exercise therapy, and hydrotherapy (water therapy).

“An Introduction to Naturopathy” by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that the six key principles of the practice of naturopathy include:

1. Promote the healing power of nature.

2. First do no harm.

3. Treat the whole person.

4. Treat the cause.

5. Prevention is the best cure.

6. The physician is the teacher.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine is known as botanical medicine or phytotherapy. Many people choose herbal medicine over prescription drugs due to milder and fewer side effects, not to mention that they can often cost less than prescription drugs. Herbal medications generally can be found in health food stores and sometimes in pharmacies. Many people assume just because plants are natural, they are safe; however, not all plants are safe and some are even poisonous.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly uses techniques such as acupuncture and herbal medicine and focuses around a person’s chi, or energy that moves around people, animals, and the earth. Chinese medicine also focuses on the balance yin and yang, which are two opposites that complement each other and make up the world. Recognizing that health can be jeopardized by a natural imbalance of yin and yang, Chinese medicine focuses on restoring those balances in order to restore overall health.

Chiropractic Practice

Chiropractic medicine focuses on the spine alignment. Misalignment of the spine can impair information of travel through nerves of the spinal cord, which can affect the central nervous system and, therefore, the rest of the body. Common areas people seek chiropractors for include the back, neck, and head. Common therapies used at a chiropractor include heat and ice treatment, electrical stimulation, dietary supplements, and rehabilitative exercise.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.