What you need to know about alternative medicine
Alternative medicine refers to medical treatments used instead of the conventional healthcare treatments. It is a term to describe healing therapies not standard to Western medical practices. It is rare for people to think of going to an acupuncturist when they have back pain or a naturopath when their face breaks out. Nonetheless, alternative medicine is gaining traction. You can even have a bachelor of science in alternative medicine. Before trying it out, here are a few things you should know about alternative medicine.
Conventional vs. alternative medicine
Conventional health care is modern medicine also referred to Western medicine. It has been heavily researched and therefore considered reliable for this reason. It is based on science and relies on drugs and surgeries to treat signs of illness. Since modern Western medicine only treats the symptoms of the disease, it has gained criticism for ignoring the big picture of total body care.
Alternative medicine’s basic principle is the balance. These various therapies are designed for the body to achieve a balance which can help restore health. There is a broad range of treatments covered in this type of treatment. Practitioners of this healing therapy emphasize education, prevention, and holistic care.
Pros and cons
Alternative medicine has been scrutinized for lacking scientific evidence. There is a growth in research studies for it now due to the increased demand. But compared to the evidence for conventional methods, it is still limited and still leaves several questions unanswered. Although there are currently several studies underway and you can find several resources on it online or in scientific journals.
The interesting thing about this approach is its emphasis on whole-body treatment. Patients are encouraged to take responsibility and participate in their health and well-being. Because of this emphasis, practitioners pay a great deal of personal attention to their patients. Not just attention to the physical body but also spiritual health and the emotional and mental state. Emotional balance, rest, exercise, and proper nutrition is crucial for this treatment. It focuses on prevention rather than intervene once the disease is present.
Different types of alternative medicine
There is a treatment for everything. Reflexology can help you reduce fatigue, combat asthma, and improve sleep. Chiropractic focuses on the healing of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Balneotherapy is based on the theory of the benefits of water and could treat conditions like acne, pain, or even anxiety. Acupuncture stimulates specific points in your body which can treat a number of conditions. Other types of treatments include naturopathy, ayurvedic treatments, reiki, biofeedback and much more. Choose a treatment your body needs.…