Making a Move to Alternative Medicine

The fall season brings pumpkin spice lattes and colorful piles of leaves. It also brings us allergies, colds, and other not-so- fun things. Even after the pandemic, we may feel  nervous about acute illnesses. It’s also not easy to secure an appointment with your local health provider or clinic on a short notice. Usually, when we feel run-down, we turn to OTC medicine such as Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, or cough syrup. But there is a better way to help our bodies heal: alternative medicine, also known as complementary medicine. You may even already be following this practice.

Why Alternative Medicine?

The basic difference between alternative and Western medicine stems from their approaches to the body. Western medicine, also known as allopathic or biomedicine, follows a techno-centric approach. In other words, the body is a machine. Alternative medicine works on a holistic level and focuses on treating the human as a whole. It is also called complementary medicine because they complement or are an add-on to conventional Western treatments.

CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) practices include:

• acupuncture
• acupressure
• Ayurveda (Indian)
• chiropractic treatment
• hypnosis
• yoga
• Reiki (Japanese)
• massage therapy
• homeopathy
• naturopathy

A Practice on the Rise

There has been a significant increase in the number of people adopting the holistic alternative treatments over conventional Western ones. While there are no exact statistics, an article by Hilarus Publisher predicted that as of 2015, more than 60% of the global population uses some form of alternative medicine. The reason behind this, according to Jama Network, is “because they find these health care alternatives to be more congruent with their own values, beliefs, and philosophical orientations toward health and life”.

Benefits 

There are several benefits to alternative and complementary medicine, which is why more people are choosing to practice it over conventional medicine.

• Long-lasting benefits

Alternative treatments provide long-lasting positive effects because they treat the root causes of pain or illness. Conventional medicine usually addresses and alleviates symptoms, but not the real cause.

• Natural without lab-created materials

This form of medicine uses natural and safe remedies, not lab-made materials. As a result, it leave little-to-no side effects on the patient. Even if it does, the effects are more mild.

• More flexible and personalized treatment plans

Alternative and complementary medicine practitioners can customize and alter treatment plans to suit the unique lifestyles and needs of their patients. Personalized plans are more convenient and effective for patients in the long run, reducing recurrence of an illness or pain.

How to Get Started 

• Incorporate alternative treatments with conventional medicine

The transition doesn’t have to be difficult. Those who are dealing with major pain or illnesses can start by trying out complementary treatments along with conventional medicine. When you are just starting out, listen attentively to the practitioner and follow the given treatments with care.

• Do your research

Research the treatments you are interested in to see if they would be helpful for your condition or pain. You can learn about proper massage techniques, the properties of medicinal oils, the healing properties of spices, and more.

• Ask your local practitioner

It is a good idea to look for a homeopath, naturopath, or Ayurvedic practitioner to schedule an introductory visit. They can help guide us.

• Document your experiences

When you are first trying out alternative treatments, write down how you feel and the results you’re experiencing to track if the treatment is working for you.

• Supplement with healthy eating

Even though alternative medicine is a healthy choice, it cannot replace eating healthy. Make sure to eat clean and balanced  food to nourish your mind and body.

Conclusion

Prices for modern medicine are skyrocketing and there are countless cases of people finding relief from alternative treatments. Making this change will definitely bring a positive difference in our lives.

At Green Schools Green Future, we believe in natural solutions for better living.