Alternative Medicines are becoming popular due to the increasing number of people showing interest to treat illnesses. If you are still wondering what is alternative medicine, then give it a read: What is Alternative Medicine?
To have a gist, Alternative Medicine refers to a complementary treatment or substance used for care and treatment that is unproven under the application or accepted scientific standards. It includes herbs, supplements, therapies, and ancient medical practices (including acupuncture, meditation, plant extracts, massages, herbal tea, etc.). However, many traditional doctors believe that these treatments are ineffective or even dangerous.
On the other hand, some people feel very strongly that natural methods of treatment are better than traditional medicine, hence they look for answers from alternative practitioners instead of general doctors.
It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor about an alternative treatment that you want to consider. This is because trained medical professionals have the expertise and right education to help you make safe decisions about your health.
Moreover, the following benefits will explain its effectiveness:
The focus is on prevention
Alternative medicine concentrates on the overall prevention of illness. While traditional medicine treats the patient when they are going through the illness, many types of alternative medicine focus on disease prevention before it occurs along with treatment and care during sickness. It encourages patients to make regular good visits to prevent illness before it occurs.
Alternative medicine lays emphasis on the overall body care of the person, while traditional medicine focuses on the specific illness that the patient is going through. Traditional medicine considers a disease/illness as a separate entity from the person who carries it. Also, the trend in specialization in medicine is growing significantly resulting in advancement in treatment. But this has also distanced physicians from the healthy parts of their patients. The treatment used in alternative medicine not only heals the patient’s health physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. As per the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, a rising interest in a more holistic approach to health is one of the main reasons for the increasing popularity of alternative medicine.
The practitioners of alternative medicine often provide a great deal of personal attention to patients because it focuses on whole-body care. The different techniques, philosophies, and fee structures lead to a greater emphasis on one-on-one attention in alternative medicine practices. On the other hand, conventional practitioners might fall short of time and are mostly pressured by insurance companies and crowded waiting rooms.
Improves the quality of life
Alternative medicine brings improvement to the Quality of Life. It is believed that when you use prescription drugs, you may see an improvement in pain, but it does not guarantee a comeback. Once the drug goes out of your system, the pain might return. However, there is a drastic improvement in the quality of life when you use alternative medicine.
Provides more flexibility
Alternative medicine allows more flexibility in treatment plans than the traditional approach. Many chiropractors and alternative medicine professionals change their treatment plans depending upon lifestyle and person’s adaptability, whereas mainstream medical professionals couldn’t.
Though alternative medicine is not a proven treatment and does not have recognition in science. So, it is very important to stay informed and seek expert advice before using therapies, medications, or treatment. If a traditional doctor is not aware of the substance a patient is taking, medications that produce harmful interactions may be unknowingly prescribed.
Furthermore, if you are thinking about treatment like acupuncture or reflexology, check the qualifications of the practitioner before being treated. Do your research properly and make informed decisions.