Alternative Medicine: What Is It?

What is alternative medicine? This is a phrase that has been tossed around more in the media, bookstores, and more, from the doctor's office, but how many times someone say that alternative medicine is?

Theoretically, alternative medicine is a form of medicine that does not fit into the framework of Western scientific medicine. Once a form of medicine has been scientifically proven to be effective, and has been given a theory to explain the language of western medicine which is effective should not be considered as an alternative


Unfortunately, the theory is politics. In fact, the United States, alternative medicine is a form of medicine that has not been accepted as scientifically valid by the American Medical Association and the Government of the United States. In other countries, government agencies determine what is and what is not alternative medicine. In the United States, massage is an alternative medicine. In Canada, massage is conventional medicine, and as such, highly regulated.

Would you believe that, according to the U.S. National Center government for complementary and alternative medicine, vitamins are a complementary or alternative medicine (depending on how they are used) that have not yet been shown to be more effective in the human body, then a placebo? Personally, I wonder if they would be treated for scurvy with placebo. I'm staying with vitamin C. There are theoretical uses of vitamins that have not yet been fully tested, but that does not make them less valid scientifically proven effects.

At the same time, just because someone says they offer is the medicine does not mean it's true. Herbal supplements are not regulated and may not fully disclose their ingredients. Certainly not tell any dangerous interactions with heart medication!

Of course, you can ask an expert, but keep in mind that there are many types of alternative medicine, an acupuncturist is not necessarily trained in herbs, and you may not have been trained primary care physician in one of them .

If you are interested in using alternative medicine, either by a specific problem, or just improve your overall health, it's probably best to start searching for this type of alternative medicine that interests you, and talk to your doctor if you will be willing to work with a practitioner of alternative medicine. Next, find a doctor who has been trained in this specific field of alternative medicine. Non-most forms of alternative medicine in the United States, so ask where they went to school, and the time practicing. Then you can work with your doctor to make sure you get the care you need, without unexpected side effects.

Some forms of alternative medicine that may be useful in the investigation are:

Oriental medicine: Oriental medicine is the only form of alternative medicine that is really comparable to Western medicine as a complete system of medicine. Oriental medicine is based on several theories developed there for thousands of years and developed the first Classic of the Yellow Emperor, there are between three and five thousand years. Oriental medicine includes the practice of massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine, qi gong, and many others. Traditional Chinese medicine is a specific variant of oriental medicine in China. This is the only variant of oriental medicine can be found with relative ease in the United States. In many parts of Asia, Eastern medicine is still considered the standard of medical care and Western medicine is "alternative."

Herbal Medicine: Herbal medicine is probably the most common form of alternative medicine that is in the United States, and perhaps one of the most risky. While most conventional doctors prescribe drugs today are derived from herbs, herbal supplements commonly sold are not common dose, mat contain fillers, and rarely warn of side effects. While herbs can be used to treat all drugs can, and maybe a little more, be sure to speak with a qualified herbalist before taking any. They can tell you what dose is safe applied providers use and potential side effects.

Homeopathy: Homeopathy was developed in the 1800s by two doctors who noticed that quinine, the only medicine capable of treating malaria, malaria caused symptoms in healthy people who received. His hypothesis is that, as healing whether caffeine, which normally causes the day before, would be used to help someone who does not sleep at night, sleep better. Homeopathy is probably the only safe alternative medicine to try not to talk to an expert, since the active ingredient is so diluted that it is possible to incur dose or side effects of the amounts presented in the local store healthy food, not to mention the few bottles you have in your home. At the same time, it is always best to consult a homeopath to make sure your decision is going to work for what you need.

Massage: Massage is the use of hands or tools to manipulate the muscles and tendons. The two most common uses massage to relieve pain and stress relief. Although there are many conditions that massage obviously not help with (eg, diabetes), there is much that is surprisingly efficient, such as eating disorders, fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel syndrome. Moreover, almost all muscle injury can be treated with massage to prevent the buildup of scar, speed healing and increase a restricted range of motion. There are many different forms of massage therapy, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, prenatal massage, shiatsu, Thai massage, Lomi Lomi massage, medical massage, chair massage, aromatherapy massage and hot stone massage. If you go to a therapist for a medical problem, make sure they are trained in medical massage. Some states have licensing programs for massage therapists now, like most European countries. If you live in an area that has, make sure that the therapist will be licensed.

Other forms of alternative medicine are: energy healing, aromatherapy, Rolfing, craniosacral therapy, and most forms of holistic medicine.