Alternative or Complimentary Medicines
By Sylvia Behrman, AILO Florence
Many people world-wide use health care that is outside mainstream Western medicine. These are called alternative or complimentary practices. Practices used together with conventional medicine are called complimentary and ones used instead of conventional medicine are called alternative.
Your doctor needs to know exactly what treatments you are taking, including herbal remedies and supplements. The more information he has, the better help he can give you.
Integrative healthcare: This a new approach which takes your mental well-being into account as well. For example, taking regular medication and having acupuncture for arthritis.
Relaxation techniques: These may benefit people who suffer from anxiety, sleep problems or chronic headaches. They usually include self-hypnosis, biofeedback and deep breathing. These help to start your body’s natural relaxation response which lowers your blood pressure.
Medicinal supplements: These include herbs, vitamins, minerals and probiotics. Some of these can cause harm if taken with regular medication. Unlike mainstream drugs these are not regulated and no agencies check on the claims they make.
Acupuncture: This involves thin needles being put into your skin at specific points. It is used to manage pain especially in the muscles and joints, but there is still debate about how well it works.
Detox (detoxification): Detox is a combination of diet, supplements and laxatives to rid the body of toxins. Certain types of treatment may help with weight loss or cholesterol levels, but there is no evidence that these procedures really cleanse tissues and can cause weakness.
Aromatherapy: This uses essential oils from plants which are inhaled or massaged into the skin. It may help with anxiety or depression, but more research is needed.
Massage: Studies show massage can ease pain and help people with depression but the benefits don’t last. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, bleed easily or take blood thinners.
Reflexology: This uses pressure points on the hands and feet to connect to certain organs in the other parts of the body. It has been used to treat conditions like back pain, headaches, strokes or multiple sclerosis, but there is no strong evidence that reflexology helps with any of these.
Cupping: An ancient Chinese practice which used special cups on your skin to increase blood flow. It gained attention at the 2016 summer Olympics when it was used by some athletes. It is generally considered safe and could help chronic neck or back pain, although the benefit could come from a placebo effect.
Yoga: This Indian practice combines poses, deep breathing and meditation. These could ease pain, lower your heart rate, and help with anxiety or depression. It is important to consult your doctor before trying this.
Chiropractic adjustment: This uses several techniques to change the placement of your bones, particularly the spine. The idea is to realign your body posture, to ease pain and make it easier to move. It is generally considered safe if done by a properly licenced chiropractor.