Following are suggested guidelines to consider when selecting an alternative provider:

1. Ask about their credentials, license and if they have successfully treated someone with similar conditions.
2. Select a practitioner who listens and communicates well with you.
3. Most importantly -- whether you use a conventional or alternative provider -- trust yourself and feel confident about the practitioner you use.
4. Educate yourself about your illness and all available treatments.
5. Health care is each individual's responsibility -- healing can begin when you choose to get well and ask for help.
6. Communicate with your medical doctor and inform them of everything that you do which is alternative.
7. Unproven alternative treatments should never replace medical care.

Click here for a list of Complementary and Alternative (CAM) practitioner associations and links to their web sites.