What is Alternative Medicine
By Pat O'Connor
(1952-2013)
As people become more frustrated with existing medical treatments,
perceived indifference of the medical community or frustrated with
the cost or lack of progress in the treatment of their medical
condition, many are turning to what is commonly referred to as
alternative medicine.
This is especially true in the world of lymphatic conditions such as
lymphedema, lipedema, lymphangiectasia and others. But, can we trust
alternative medicine? What is it anyway? Is there any proof it
works?
This is from the Mayo Clinic in their basic page on the topic:
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What are the principles of
complementary and alternative medicine?
Many alternative medicine practitioners base their work around a few
common principles. Some of these are similar to what your
conventional doctor might do, while others are quite different.
Basic philosophies of complementary and alternative medicine
include:
- Prevention is key to good
health. Taking steps to better your health before you get sick
is the best way to keep yourself healthy.
- Your body has the ability to
heal itself. Alternative medicine practitioners see themselves
as facilitators. To them, your body does the healing work, and
treatment encourages your natural healing processes.
- Learning and healing go hand
in hand. Alternative medicine practitioners see themselves as
teachers and mentors who offer guidance. To the practitioner,
you're the one who does the healing.
- Holistic care. The focus is
on treating you as a whole person — recognizing that physical
health, mental well-being, relationships and spiritual needs are
interconnected and play a part in your overall health.
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What are some examples of
complementary and alternative medicine?
To make sense of the many therapies available, it might help to look
at them in the broad categories that the National Institutes of
Health uses for classification. Keep in mind that while these
categories may be useful for understanding types of complementary
and alternative medicine, the distinctions between therapies aren't
clear-cut. Some treatment systems may use techniques from more than
one category. For example, traditional Chinese medicine uses several
types of complementary and alternative medicine. Some techniques may
fit in more than one category. For example, acupressure could fit
either in the category of manipulation and touch or in the category
of energy therapies. Here are the broad categories of complementary
and alternative medicine.
Healing systems
Healing systems are complete sets of theories and practices. A
system isn't just a single practice or remedy — such as massage —
but many different practices that all center on a philosophy or
lifestyle, such as the power of nature or the presence of energy in
your body. Many healing systems developed long before the
conventional Western medicine that's commonly used in the United
States.
Examples of complementary and alternative medicine healing systems
include:
- Ayurveda. This form of
medicine, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago,
emphasizes a unique cure per individual circumstances. It
incorporates treatments including yoga, meditation, massage,
diet and herbs.
- Homeopathy. This treatment
uses minute doses of a substance that causes symptoms to
stimulate the body's self-healing response.
- Naturopathy. This type of
treatment focuses on noninvasive treatments to help your body do
its own healing. Naturopaths draw on many forms of complementary
and alternative medicine, including massage, acupuncture, herbal
remedies, exercise and lifestyle counseling.
- Ancient medicines. These
complementary and alternative medicine treatments include
Chinese, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian and Tibetan
practices.
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Mind-body connections
Mind-body techniques strengthen the communication between your mind
and your body. Complementary and alternative medicine practitioners
say these two systems must be in harmony for you to stay healthy.
Examples of mind-body connection techniques include:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Biofeedback
- Prayer
- Hypnosis
- Relaxation and art therapies,
such as poetry, music and dance
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Dietary supplements and
herbal remedies
These treatments use ingredients found in nature. Examples of herbs
include ginseng, ginkgo and Echinacea, while examples of other
dietary supplements include selenium, glucosamine sulfate and SAM-e.
Herbs and supplements can be taken as teas, oils, syrups, powders,
tablets or capsules. Some say that they trust herbal medicine
because it's been used for thousands of years. Others say that they
like it because it's "natural."
Remember, though, that natural doesn't mean that herbs and
supplements are always safe — and added ingredients aren't always
natural. Dietary supplements and herbal remedies can cause side
effects and interact with medications, so be sure to investigate
possible dangers or drug interactions with your doctor. As with
other complementary and alternative treatments, always talk to your
doctor before taking an herb or supplement to make sure it's safe
for you.
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Manipulation and touch
These methods use human touch to move or manipulate a specific part
of your body. They include:
- Chiropractic and spinal
manipulation
- Massage
- Other types of manipulation
and touch therapies, such as osteopathy, craniosacral therapy
and acupressure
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Energy therapies
Some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners believe an
invisible energy force flows through your body, and when this energy
flow is blocked or unbalanced you can become sick. Different
traditions call this energy by different names, such as chi, prana
and life force. Unblocking or re-balancing your energy force is the
goal of these therapies, and each claims to accomplish that goal
differently. Proponents of acupuncture, for instance, say that the
insertion of needles into points along energy pathways in your body
restores your natural energy.
Other energy therapies
include:
- Therapeutic touch
- Reiki
- Magnet therapy
- Polarity therapy
- Light therapy
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Are conventional doctors
opposed to complementary and alternative medicine?
Many doctors aren't opposed to complementary and alternative
medicine. But many doctors practicing today did not receive training
in CAM therapies, so they may not feel comfortable addressing
questions in this area. However, as the evidence for certain
therapies increases, doctors in the United States are increasingly
referring people to complementary and alternative practitioners.
Your doctor may be willing to discuss these options with you.
At the same time, conventional doctors also have good reason to be
skeptical when it comes to complementary and alternative medicine.
Some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners make
exaggerated claims about curing diseases, and some ask you to forgo
treatment from your conventional doctor to use their unproven
therapies. Some forms of complementary and alternative medicine can
even hurt you.
Conventional medicine relies on methods proved to be safe and
effective with carefully designed trials and research. But many
complementary and alternative treatments lack solid research on
which to base sound decisions. The dangers and possible benefits of
many complementary and alternative treatments remain unproved.
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Why is there a lack of
evidence about complementary and alternative treatments?
One reason for the lack of research in complementary and alternative
treatments is that large, carefully controlled medical studies are
costly. Trials for conventional medications or procedures are often
directly or indirectly funded by the government or drug companies,
giving conventional treatments more resources to do studies. Most
complementary and alternative treatment trials are more difficult to
fund, so there are fewer trials. Nonetheless, a number of studies
are currently under way on complementary and alternative treatments
ranging from herbs to yoga that may help identify what works and
what doesn't, and what's safe and what isn't. In fact, the U.S.
government has established a National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine to help guide the public in making wise choices
when it comes to complementary and alternative treatments.
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Talk to your doctor about
possible benefits and dangers
Work with your conventional medical doctor to help you make informed
decisions regarding complementary and alternative treatments. Even
if your doctor can't recommend a specific complementary and
alternative treatment, he or she can help you understand possible
risks and benefits before you try a treatment. Though some of these
treatments can be helpful, many have side effects and can cause
problems with certain medications or health conditions. Keep in mind
that CAM treatments aren't a substitute or replacement for
conventional medical care — but used wisely and in conjunction with
conventional medical treatment, they may help you alleviate stress,
pain and anxiety, manage your symptoms, maintain strength and
flexibility, and promote a sense of well-being.
By
Pat O'Connor
(1952-2013)
My Life With
Lymphedema
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Page Last Modified
09/29/2015