Alternative Medicine is often used by the general
public and some health care practitioners to refer to treatment options
and
techniques which are not known or established by the majority
"conventional" or "allopathic" medical practitioners (usually MD's). Such techniques could include non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical
techniques and therapies such as Herbals, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy,
Osteopathic, Reiki and many others.
Alternative Medicine refers to
techniques, protocols, interventions and treatments that are not
currently accepted by "conventional" health practitioners, but that is
quickly changing. Even the definition of a "conventional
practitioner" is changing and is becoming accepted. Techniques,
protocols, interventions and treatments that are now considered part
of Alternative Medicine will soon be considered part of "conventional"
medicine.
The terms Holistic Healing and Holistic Medicine are slightly more
acceptable than Alternative Medicine and are therefore preferable.
As non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical therapies and techniques become
more popular and accepted by a large number of "conventional"
practitioners, these therapies and techniques will no longer be
considered Alternative Medicine, but more mainstream.
Alternative medical practitioners may also use a combination of different
treatment options to achieve an optimal health result with their patients.
Practitioners may initially chose to use more non invasive holistic treatments
and then move to a more aggressive form of allopathic treatment
protocols, depending upon what you as a patient presents to your
practitioner with.
And with your initial evaluation and a
treatment plan having been discussed with your practitioner, you can
then ask if there are any alternative options for your present and
future plan of care.
Natural Medicine
is a type of medical treatment option that has at its
core the renewing and restoring of the body's own natural healing
ability, utilizing nutritional remedies and other natural modalities
for healing. Natural Medicine seeks to determine and treat the
cause of symptoms, thereby curing the problem.
The science of natural healing is an intuitive response
to living. We naturally want to do things to stay well and to
live a long and healthy life. Listed here are some of the more
common illnesses and conditions successfully treated with Natural
Medicine using alternative treatments and holistic protocols.
