Alternative medicine treatment is a complicated and confusing field. Many people believe that nature can help us treat ailments without introducing man-made chemical compounds into our bodies. As the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements, as it does scientific medicines on the market, many products are marketed under the alternative medicine umbrella.
Supplements such as chamomile are widely used to treat stress and post-partum blues in women. Others, such as shark cartilage, are believed to help strengthen bone marrow, cartilage, and tendon and muscle strength. Melatonin is frequently used to fight insomnia. Some come in capsules, liquids, and many in teas (such as green teas, believed to rejuvenate the body).
When many people hear the term “alternative medicine” they immediately think “holistic”; this very often carries a negative connotation. This is due to unregulated use of many substances and the high-rate of occurrences wherein these substances do damage to the individuals using them. These occurrences are often not due to improper use, but rather the unregulated amounts per dosage unit. Take for example the case of the popular supplement, Kava. Said to reduce anxiety, Kava was sold as an alternative to anti-depressants. In March of 2002, the Food and Drug Administration released a warning on Kava, stating that a serious overdose had been shown to cause liver failure. According to the FDA, even small overdoses could cause serious skin eruptions and depression of the central nervous system, as well as extreme fatigue and breathing problems.
But alternative medicine is not just about supplements. Many midwives, doctors, and nurses practice alternative medicine when helping a woman in labor. Certain techniques are used to help the woman’s body make the necessary adjustments, as a way to avoid episiotomies.
Acupuncturists insert needles into specific pressure points on the body as a way to relieve pain. Acupuncture has its roots in medieval Chinese medicine, and is based on the belief that bodily ailments are the result of the body and spirit becoming incongruous. Many individuals may not believe in acupuncture’s foundations, but have experienced for themselves that it can be very often effective.
So, how to know if alternative medicine treatment may be right for you? The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a government agency, studies alternative medicine and attempts to regulate it via clinical trials and knowledge. Once an alternative medicinal treatment has passed an NCCAM clinical trial, the agency works to get the treatment into the mainstream. Many doctors are opening up and welcoming well-researched alternative medicine treatments, and are happy to help patients find the right solutions to their ailments. It is important that whatever methods you choose, you speak to your physician about your selection, and remember to follow up. Your doctor may have knowledge about alternative medicine treatments that is not widely available. He or she may want to run periodic tests to ensure your body isn’t suffering any ill side-effects. When used in collaboration with a physician, many alternative medical treatments are safe and effective.