Alternative medicine: how to use it to maintain health
Section 1: Understanding of alternative medicine: definition, history and prevalence
Alternative medicine (AM) is a wide range of medical practices and products that are not considered part of the traditional or generally accepted, medicine. It is important to note that the border between AM and traditional medicine is not clear and constant. Practices that were once considered alternative can be integrated into traditional medicine over time if they demonstrate their effectiveness and safety through scientific research.
Definition and Terminology:
The term “alternative medicine” includes various approaches to health and well -being, which are usually used instead of traditional treatment. It is important to distinguish between several related terms:
- Alternative medicine: The use of non -traditional treatment methods instead of traditional medicine. For example, the use of herbal additives instead of Presscribed drugs to treat high blood pressure.
- Complementary medicine: The use of non -traditional methods of treatment in addition to traditional medicine. For example, the use of acupuncture to relieve pain during cancer treatment.
- Integrative medicine: Combines traditional and non -traditional methods of treatment, focusing on a holistic approach to the patient’s health. In integrative medicine, therapists carefully evaluate the scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of both traditional and alternative methods of treatment.
Historical roots of alternative medicine:
Many practices of alternative medicine have ancient roots that go through cultures around the world.
- Traditional Chinese medicine (TKM): It has developed over millennia and includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, tuyna (massage) and qigong (energy exercises). TCM is based on the concept of vital energy (qi), which flows through the meridians in the body. The imbalance of qi is considered the cause of diseases.
- Ayurveda: The Indian system of medicine, which also has ancient roots. Ayurveda focuses on the balance between the body, mind and spirit. It includes diet, herbal medicines, yoga and meditation.
- Naturopathy: The system of medicine, which focuses on natural methods of treatment and self -healing. Naturopathy includes diet, physical exercises, herbal medicines, homeopathy and hydrotherapy.
The prevalence of alternative medicine:
The use of alternative medicine is widespread in many countries of the world. Studies show that a significant percentage of the population uses various forms of AM to maintain health and treat diseases.
- Factors affecting prevalence: The prevalence of am varies depending on age, gender, education, income, culture and health status. People with chronic diseases, such as back pain, arthritis and cancer, are more often used by am.
- Reasons for use: People use AM for various reasons. Some are looking for alternatives to traditional medicine due to side effects, high cost of treatment or dissatisfaction with the results. Others use AM to maintain health, prevention of diseases and improve the quality of life.
Section 2: categories of alternative medicine and their basic principles
Alternative medicine covers a wide range of practices and health approaches. These practices can be conditionally divided into several categories:
1. Alternative medical systems:
- Traditional Chinese medicine (TKM): It is based on the concept of qi (vital energy), which flows through the meridians in the body. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, tuyna (massage) and qigong are used to restore qi balance and maintain health.
- Ayurveda: The Indian system of medicine, which focuses on the balance between the body, mind and spirit. Diet, herbal drugs, yoga and meditation are used to maintain health and treatment of diseases.
- Naturopathy: The system of medicine, which focuses on natural methods of treatment and self -healing. Naturopaths use diet, physical exercises, herbal medicines, homeopathy and hydrotherapy.
- Homeopathy: The system of medicine, which is based on the principle of “like this.” Homeopathic drugs are made of heavily diluted substances, which are believed to cause symptoms similar to those that need to be treated.
2. Methods of influence on the body and mind:
- Acupuncture: The introduction of thin needles into certain points on the body to stimulate qi flow and relieve pain.
- Massage therapy: Manipulation with soft body tissues to relieve pain, reduce stress and improve blood circulation.
- Yoga: Physical poses, breathing exercises and meditation to improve flexibility, strength, balance and mental health.
- Meditation: The technique of focusing attention to calm the mind, reduce stress and improve self -awareness.
- Hydrotherapy: The use of hypnosis to change behavior, thoughts and feelings.
- Art Therapy: The use of art to express emotions, improve self -awareness and reduce stress.
- Musical therapy: Using music to improve mental and physical health.
3. Biologically sound methods of treatment:
- Herbal medicines: The use of plants to treat diseases and maintain health.
- Vitamins and minerals: The use of vitamins and minerals for the prevention and treatment of deficits.
- Dietary additives: The use of various additives, such as amino acids, enzymes and probiotics, to improve health.
- Helated therapy: The use of chemicals to remove heavy metals from the body.
- Ozone therapy: The introduction of ozone into the body for the treatment of various diseases.
4. Methods of influence on energy:
- Reiki: The method of energy treatment, which uses “universal life energy” for healing.
- Therapeutic touch: The method of energy treatment that uses hands to balance the patient’s energy field.
- Qigun: Practice that includes breathing exercises, meditation and movement to improve qi flow.
5. Methods based on manipulations:
- Manual therapy: Methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Includes chiropractics and osteopathy.
- Osteopathy: The system of medicine, which focuses on the relationship between the structure and body function. Osteopaths use manual techniques to restore the normal mobility of joints and fabrics.
- Hiropractic: The system of medicine, which focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Hiropractors use manual techniques to correct the subluxation of the vertebrae.
Section 3: Advantages and disadvantages of alternative medicine
The use of alternative medicine has both potential advantages and disadvantages that must be taken into account when making a decision on the use of a particular practice.
Advantages of alternative medicine:
- A holistic approach to health: AM is often focused on the treatment of a person as a whole, and not just on the symptoms of the disease. This may include the consideration of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of health.
- Individual approach to treatment: AM often offers individualized treatment plans that take into account the unique needs and circumstances of each patient.
- Less side effects: Some forms of AM, such as yoga and meditation, have little or do not have side effects at all.
- Prevention emphasis: AM often focuses on the prevention of diseases and maintaining health through a healthy lifestyle, diet and physical exercises.
- Strengthening a sense of control over your health: Using AM can give patients a sense of greater control over their health and well -being.
- Potential effectiveness for certain states: Some studies show that certain forms of AM can be effective for the treatment of certain conditions, such as back pain, arthritis, anxiety and depression.
- Integrative approach: AM can be used in combination with traditional medicine to improve the results of treatment and reduce side effects of traditional treatment methods.
Disadvantages of alternative medicine:
- Lack of scientific evidence: Many forms of AM do not have sufficient scientific evidence confirming their effectiveness and safety.
- Risk of side effects: Some forms of AM, such as herbal drugs, can have side effects or interact with traditional drugs.
- Lack of regulation: The AM industry is often not regulated, which can lead to poor -quality products and services.
- High cost: Some forms of AM can be expensive and not covered with insurance.
- False hopes: AM can give patients false hopes for a cure, which can lead to a delay or rejection of traditional treatment.
- Qualification of specialists: It is not always easy to check the qualifications and experience of AM specialists.
- The possibility of fraud: There are scammers who use AM to deceive people, offering ineffective or even dangerous methods of treatment.
- Interaction with drugs: Some alternative treatment methods can interact with prescription drugs and reduce their effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. It is important to inform your doctor about all alternative treatment methods that you use.
- Delay with obtaining the necessary medical care: When using alternative medicine, instead of traditional medicine, there may be a delay in obtaining the necessary medical care, especially with serious or life -threatening diseases.
Section 4: Scientific research and evidence -based alternative medicine
One of the most important aspects that should be taken into account when evaluating alternative medicine is a scientific evidence base confirming its effectiveness and safety. Unlike traditional medicine, where most treatment methods undergo strict clinical trials, many forms of AM do not have sufficient scientific data.
Research problems in alternative medicine:
Conducting scientific research in the field of AM is associated with a number of problems:
- The difficulty of placebo-control: In some forms of AM, such as acupuncture and massage, it is difficult to create an adequate placebo-control.
- Individualized approach: An individualized approach to treatment characteristic of AM makes it difficult to conduct standardized clinical trials.
- Lack of financing: Studies in the field of AM are often not sufficiently funded compared to research in the field of traditional medicine.
- Bias: Some studies of AM can be biased in favor of certain treatment methods.
- Variety of practices: A wide range of AM practices complicates comprehensive research.
Areas where there is evidence of effectiveness:
Despite these problems, some studies have shown that certain forms of AM can be effective for treating certain conditions. It is important to note that the level of evidence varies depending on the method of treatment and disease.
- Acupuncture: Studies have shown that acupuncture can be effective for relieving pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as for the treatment of infertility.
- Massage therapy: Studies have shown that massage therapy can be effective for relief in back pain, headaches and anxiety.
- Yoga: Studies have shown that yoga can be effective for improving flexibility, strength, balance, mental health and reducing stress.
- Meditation: Studies have shown that meditation can be effective for reducing stress, anxiety and depression, as well as to improve attention and concentration.
- Herbal medicines: Some herbal medicines, such as St. John’s wort (for the treatment of depression) and ginger (to facilitate nausea), showed effectiveness in clinical trials. However, it is important to remember that herbal drugs can have side effects and interact with traditional drugs.
- Hiropractic: Studies have shown that chiropractic can be effective for treating back pain.
The need for additional research:
Additional high -quality studies are needed to assess the effectiveness and safety of many forms of AM. It is important that these studies are randomized, controlled and placebo-controlled.
Section 5: Alternative medicine safety: risks and precautions
Security is one of the most important factors that must be taken into account when using alternative medicine. Although some forms of AM are considered relatively safe, others may represent certain risks.
The risks associated with alternative medicine:
- Side effects: Some forms of AM, such as herbal drugs, may have side effects that can be serious.
- Interaction with drugs: Some forms of AM can interact with traditional drugs, reducing their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
- Delay in obtaining the necessary medical care: Using AM, instead of traditional medicine, can lead to a delay in obtaining the necessary medical care, especially with serious or life -threatening diseases.
- Unspertable specialists: Not all AM experts have the necessary qualifications and experience.
- Poor products: The AM market is often not regulated, which can lead to poor -quality products containing harmful substances.
- Fraud: There are scammers who use AM to deceive people, offering ineffective or even dangerous methods of treatment.
- The risk of infection: Some forms of AM, such as acupuncture, may be a risk of infection if non -sterile needles are used.
Safety precautions: security:
To minimize the risks associated with alternative medicine, it is important to observe the following precautions:
- Consult your doctor: Before you start using any form AM, consult your doctor. Tell him all traditional and alternative treatment methods that you use.
- Select a qualified specialist: Make sure that the AM specialist has the necessary qualifications, experience and license.
- Look for scientific evidence: Evaluate the scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of the treatment method before using it.
- Be careful with herbal medicines: Herbal drugs can have side effects and interact with traditional drugs. Buy herbal medicines only from reliable suppliers and follow the instructions for use.
- Avoid non -traditional cancer treatment methods: Do not use non -traditional methods of cancer treatment instead of traditional treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Be careful with the promises of wonderful healing: Be careful with any treatment methods that promise miraculous healing.
- Report side effects: Tell your doctor about any side effects that you experience after using AM.
- Be skeptical: Do not believe everything that you read or hear about alternative medicine. Skeptically treat statements that seem too good to be true.
- Check the reputation of the specialist: Before contacting an alternative medicine specialist, check his reputation and make sure that he has no disciplinary sanctions.
- Use reliable sources of information: Get information about alternative medicine from reliable sources, such as national health institutions (NIH) and national