Complementary
medicine is alternative medicine that is used in
conjunction with conventional medical care yet is not
fully accepted as a necessary part of conventional care.
(i.e., hypnotherapy used before surgery to help relieve
pain, control blood flow and increase patient recovery.)
Conventional medicine is designed to treat a specific
group of symptoms based on a successful standardized
treatment usually proven by extensive research. Most
of the time this treatment can reduce the symptoms of
the illness. Due to our unique individuality we may
not respond well to the treatment or we may incur side
effects.
According
to the US Office of Technology Assessment, doctors
rely on scientifically proven medical treatments about
25% of the time.
Alternative
medicine literally means medicine outside of the
mainstream. Many therapies are grouped under Alternative
Medicine, making it even more important to distinguish
between many reliable treatments and "quack cures."
Within the health care community, alternative medicine
is health care provided by credentialed practitioners
with appropriate licenses using non-medical treatments.
It differs with conventional medicine philosophically
as to how one defines health, the cause of an illness,
how healing occurs, and who performs the healing. The
effectiveness of alternative treatments range from those
scientifically proven to those which have been historically
effective and those which have no proof. Unlike conventional
medicine, a lot of alternative therapies have a rich
history of use that span hundreds of years.
Bodies
are inherently self-healing.
- Christiane Northrop,
MD
Holistic
and Whole Person Health Care
Conventional health care is focused on biochemistry
with less appreciation for the effects of emotions,
thoughts, and the environment on our health. Holistic
medicine is based on different concepts. We are
affected by the interaction of our biochemistry, emotions,
thoughts, body mechanics, energy, relationship and our
spiritual nature. Our state of wellness is a part of
our inner guidance system which knows when we are off
the mark in our life path. We are interconnected through
our mind, body and spirit, each affects the other. Many
chronic illness survivors relate to the life changing
aspects of getting well, and find themselves not only
healthier but also more fulfilled, in harmony with themselves,
and happier.
The
difference between standard medical care and holistic
care is one treats the disease while the other treats
the person with the disease.
The
holistic practitioner is similar to the old family
doctor who took in account what we ate, our relationships,
our work and our mood to determine what caused our disease
or imbalance. We are also treated with greater respect
for our uniqueness; "as one man's dessert can be
another's poison.
Integrative
Medicine
Integrative Medicine is the blending of both alternative
and conventional practices. More doctors and alternative
practitioners are working together to provide patients
with the best of both worlds. An Integrative approach
to your health provides a full range of services from
Wellness to Sick care, using alternative to conventional
therapies. Integrative medicine means better health
care for us all by using the best treatments for our
unique health needs.
40%
of all adults use alternative medicine.
- Journal of the American
Medical Association,
May 20, 1998
The
Difference Between Standardized Medicine and Individualized
Health Care
HMO and Insurance covered medicine provides the care
and treatments that are supposed to work for everyone
(research can prove a drug is effective for a majority
of people with a defined illness -- so everyone with
that illness receives that drug). Your insurance or
HMO is in charge of your treatment options and determines
who you see, for how long and what treatments they provide.
When you see an holistic provider, both you and your
practitioner are in charge of your health care. You
pay more for the extra time and the alternative services
provided for your unique health needs. You both create
a health plan for your mind, body and spirit. Holistic
practitioners are more willing to spend more time with
you, listen to your health story and provide specific
treatments for your specific needs. Some alternative
treatments are covered by health insurance.
It's
a trade secret but I'll tell you anyway, all healing
is self-healing.
- Albert Schwietzer,
MD
|
