Welcome To HealthWiseTips |
Complimentary Medicine
Complementary Medicine is a term generally used by
traditional medical doctors for alternative techniques that they sometimes use
as additional strategies along with the conventional medical care. For
instance, a patient may undergo surgery with anesthesia in the conventional
fashion, but acupuncture may be used post-surgery to help with pain and other
complications.
Generally, the alternative techniques are not considered as fully proven
scientifically, but some mainstream doctors are willing to use them in addition
to their normal techniques.
There are different types of Complementary Medicine in use today. Some of
them are complete, alternative medical systems by themselves, including
Homeopathy, Ayurvedic Medicine, and traditional Chinese Medicine. Others come
in the form of non-invasive mind-body techniques, such as meditation, mental
healing, visualization, support groups, and other forms of therapy.
Other forms of Complementary Medicine include dietary supplements, herbal
medicine, and other natural cures that have supporters but may not be
scientifically proven yet. There are body manipulation techniques including
chiropractory and osteopathy, and energy-based therapies such as Qi Gong and
Reiki.
Even though many of these alternative therapies used in Complementary
Medicine are not as scientifically proven as the medical establishment would
like, the growing anecdotal evidence that these treatments are effective on
some people in certain situations makes them a good option to have. In the
meantime, scientific research is now beginning to uncover the scientific basis
that makes such alternative healing methods as acupuncture and hypnosis
effective.
There are now Universities in the United states specializing in
complementary Medicine, offering degrees in such alternative health therapies
as Homeopathy, Ayurvedic Medicine, traditional Chinese Medicine, yoga, and
aromatherapy.
One objection that mainstream medical practitioners voice more often than
any other is that harm may be caused by using alternative therapies. While
obviously care should be used with any unproven treatment, many people die
every year from side effects from prescription drugs, malpractice, and diseases
caught in hospitals while being treated for something entirely different. The
time has come for various types of alternative healing to be given a fair
chance.
|