Common Knowledge:14.What kind of alternative/complementary medicine practitioner should I go to?

 There are several types of alternative and complementary medical approaches to health and well-being. Below are short explanations of a few of them. Many of the approaches overlap; for example, a chiropractor may use herbal medicine and supplements as part of his/her practice.

Naturopathic Medicine(Naturopathic Physicians)

 Naturopathic medicine is an eclectic approach based on a number of healing practices including (but not limited to) nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic exercise and counseling. Naturopathy is based on six main principals: first, do no harm; the healing power of nature; treat the cause, not just the effect or symptoms; treat the whole person; the physician is a teacher; and prevention is the best cure. Naturopaths work with the body’s natural healing responses to return health. For example, fever is seen as a natural healing response of the body, and instead of eliminating it with aspirin (as in conventional medicine), the naturopath examines the patient to find the underlying physical, mental/emotional, or spiritual problem(s). Naturopaths are good for treating chronic disease or conditions, and not good at treating severe acute traumas, such as emergencies of childbirth or serious car accidents. In these serious acute conditions, however, they may be consulted as complementary to conventional medical care.

Herbal Medicine (Herbalists)

 Herbs have been an integral part of healing systems around the world for centuries. In fact, in conventional prescription medicines, a high percentage of the diagnostic indications correlate directly with the traditional medicine use. Today, herbal medicine is fast becoming a part of mainstream medicine, with large numbers of Americans currently taking herbal supplements. Herbal medicine is practiced by herbalists and is integral to many modalities and healing traditions, including aromatherapy, ayurvedic medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine. Herbal remedies are good for both minor ailments suitable for self-medication, and for some conditions traditionally only treated with prescription drugs in our society, such as hepatitis treated with milk thistle and heart disease treated with hawthorn.

Chiropractic (Chiropractor)

 Chiropractors see the spinal column as the key control panel of the nervous system. If the spinal column is mis-aligned, blocks in nerve transmission can result in pain and physiological dysfunction. By adjusting the spine and joints, the chiropractor believes the entire body is helped, including natural defenses, which allow the various systems to function at a more optimum level. Due to the success of treating back problems, headaches, and other traumas, chiropractic medicine has become one of the leading primary health care fields in the world.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncturists)

 Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive system of medicine that incorporates modalities such as acupuncture, therapeutic exercise (quigong), diet, and medicinal herbs. Traditional Chinese medicine has a very long history of use (over three thousand years), and is now becoming accepted into mainstream medical care in the United States. For example, many insurance companies in the United States now cover acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture alone is a complete system of healing based on restoring the correct balance and flow of chi (or "energy") in the body by inserting thin needles into the top layer of skin at "acupoints" of the body. Often, acupuncturists also practice diet therapy and herbal medicine.

Ayurvedic Medicine

 Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine from India which has been practiced for the past five thousand years. In the Ayurvedic system, health is achieved through means of balancing and enriching the body, mind, and soul, best represented by the concept of balanced "doshas". The doshas are determined according to individual constitutional types, with the goal of re-establishing the individual’s dosha state; thereby, allowing health and well-being to flourish, stimulated by specific diets, exercises, and lifestyle habits. Even though there are three main dosha types (vatta, pita, and kapha), most people are a combination of doshas, with one in predominance. The basic treatments used in ayurvedic medicine are based on diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, sunshine and breathing (pranayama). With its focus on prevention and the understanding and discovery of individualistic needs, that ayurvedic medicine would increasingly becoming more popular and available in the United States was perhaps predictable, for it speaks to an often expressed need in our society for a system of medicine that considers the whole individual.

Body Work

 Massage Therapy (Masseuse)

 There are many kinds of bodywork, including therapeutic massage, Rolfing?, hellerwork, and FeldenkraisTM. Of the "hands-on" therapies, therapeutic massage is by far the most popular. There are several techniques of therapeutic massage, but in general, massage can be used for a number of conditions such as spinal curvatures, muscular tension and soreness, headaches, whiplash, and other tension-related disorders. Lymphatic massage may be used to help the body’s immune system to function more optimally and aid the body in cleansing metabolic waste. In scientific studies, massage has been shown to have a sedative effect on the nervous system, to help relieve pain, and promote circulation and blood flow through the muscles.

 Reflexology (Reflexologist)

 Reflexology is a type of body work that emphasizes healing through stimulation of "reflex" points in the hands and feet which correspond to all the different areas and organs of the body. Reflexology is excellent at inducing relaxation and is said to be useful for a myriad of conditions including hypertension, anxiety, and pain. In Denmark, reflexology is the number one alternative/complimentary treatment available. Although reflexology is still lacking scientific proof of efficacy, it may be useful as a complementary treatment to regular medical care.

♣ last edit date:1st,Nov.2010.