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Alternative Medicine Treatments Are Gifts from HistorySuch evidences are hard to discredit which explains why about 40 percent of Americans subscribe to one or a combination of alternative medicine practices. In most cases, the followers combine Western medicine and alternative medicine. This marriage is aptly called "Complementary Alternative Medicine" (CAM). This means that alternative care and holistic treatments are utilized to supplement traditional Western medical care. The popularity of this approach is evident with the rising number of doctors who are learning and adopting alternative care to be able to best apply the philosophies of CAM. More and more medical schools are also integrating certain CAM practices and philosophies in their medical curriculum. Rather than fight its wave of popularity, these professionals ride on its crest. The advantage of having licensed medical doctors practicing CAM is that they are in a better position to assess the needs of their patients to prescribe the best possible alternative medicine treatments appropriate for them. This is helpful because not every alternative treatment can provide real health benefits or can complement their kind of medical care. To date, among the most favored alternative medicine treatments or modalities have started in the East that is home to some early human cultures such as Acupuncture, meditation and physical strengthening associated with Yoga, Ayurveda, massage and use of herbal medicine. Practices like chiropractic or spinal manipulation and hypnosis are Western in origin. Some of the world’s most popular forms of alternative medicine are: Acupuncture employs the insertion of very fine needles into over 400 points on the body to manipulate the body's natural energy flow (qi or chi). This redirects the energy to cure or prevent certain medical conditions. Acupressure is a modification which involves the application of pressure on same points rather than needles.
Yoga involves the stretching and exercising of muscles that enhances the physical human body as well as circulation. It is also practiced along with meditation that clears thoughts. The combined effects introduce harmony and balance in the systems that lead to the healing of certain conditions like hypertension and diabetes as well as depression, stress and anxiety. Ayurveda from India treats and prevents illnesses using herbs, massage, diet, breathing, and meditation. The healing is anchored also on the philosophy of prana or life energy that is almost similar to qi. To treat the whole self and restore balance in the body, prana must be balanced and that means realigning the mind, body and spirit. Herbal medicine principally relies on the healing powers of plants. The early Chinese have made lots of contributions in the field of herbal medicine which are now being validated by modern science. From leaves, fruits, roots and other plant parts, the supplements are now processed to offer the benefit of convenience. Meditation is part of certain alternative healing practices such as yoga and Ayurveda. Through emptying thoughts and slowing breathing, the body is put in a relaxed state to restore harmony and balance of energy. This is believed to be the basis of the far-reaching health benefits. Massage involves manipulation of the muscles to relax the body and mind. This has been shown to help improve the functions of the immune system. Spinal manipulation is done by chiropractors to align the spine as well as the bones and muscles as the principal method to heal and improve health. Osteopathic spinal manipulation combines homeopathic techniques and chiropractic techniques. Homeopathy involves the use of small doses of many herbal medicines combined with yoga, meditation and other alternative practice to bring the body into balance and get rid of disease. The years when these alternative medicine treatments were relied on by early humans provide a solid foundation to their authenticity that is hard to knock down. Combining these philosophies with Western medicine is a strategic move that best serve this generation. |
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