Alternative Medicine Questions – Answers to the Most Common Questions

There are many alternative medicine questions that could be asked and these are just a few of the most common. For more information on terms and definitions; refer to the Reference Guide. There are many other resources available online or at the library. Every alternative medicine question should be answered before any therapy is begun.

1. Is Homeopathy Legal? Yes. Most practitioners are medically trained physicians, nurses and more that have also studied homeopathy.

2. Who primarily uses complementary and alternative medicine? According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, baby boomers lead the way in using alternative healing therapies.

3. Is alternative medicine safe? All alternative therapies if used correctly and are monitored are deemed safe. Therapies should be discussed with a physician before use.

4. Does alternative medicine really work? Research shows that non conventional therapies show results. These therapies are now becoming more popular, accepted and widespread because of it.

5. Can alternative medicine therapies cause side effects? Yes. In some users, side effects are possible. This can range from muscle soreness to an adverse effect from an herbal remedy. It is always a good idea to use alternative therapies with the supervision of a primary care physician.

6. Can alternative medicine therapies interfere with conventional therapies? Yes. It is always a good idea to use alternative healing methods with the care and supervision of a primary care physician so these affects are limited.

7. Does any governmental organization regulate alternative healing therapies? No. In 1998 Congress developed the National Institutes of Health to develop research and support alternative medicine therapies. The mission is to give Americans health and safety information regarding alternative therapies. For more information; visit www.nccam.nih.gov.

8. What is mind/body medicine? Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine believed that health is a harmony of all aspects of spirit and body. We possess the power to heal ourselves to some degree and balance our energy. Many therapies relate to this mind, body, spirit connection for healing.

9. What is the difference between synthetic vitamins and natural vitamins? Synthetic vitamins generally cost less. Chemical analysis shows they will both contain the same quantity of vitamin. Natural vitamins are produced naturally. For example, Vitamin C comes from rose hips. Synthetic Vitamin C comes from ascorbic acid.

10. Is it better to use coffee or tea when taking vitamins? Neither one. Both have caffeine and this reduces the effects of the vitamins.

11. Is it better to eat fresh herbs or to eat them dried? Eating fresh herbs assures that the freshest most potent nutrients are received into the body.

12. What are the pros and cons of using alternative medicine? Alternative medicine seeks to restore balance and harmony within the body without doing other damage that some drugs can do. Others say that these therapies are not regulated by any governmental agency and should be used with a high degree of scrutiny.

13. I can’t seem to find the products I am looking for. There are a variety of resources available online and in health food stores.

14. How long will it take before I start seeing improvement if I use alternative therapies? Improvements can start anywhere from 24 hours to within a few weeks. Generally alternative therapies are not a fast fix.

15. Is acupuncture only used for pain relief? No, it is widely used for healing a variety of health issues and organic illnesses. It is also used as an effective preventive measure before an illness begins.

16. Why doesn’t insurance cover most of these therapies? Insurance companies are becoming more open to covering alternative medicine and complementary care therapies. Check with each provider to see what they cover.

17. How can I benefit from meditation? Meditation teaches how to observe the daily things that happen to us and we transform everything negative into more positive experiences.

18. What does wellness mean? Wellness is a general term that goes beyond not being sick. It is a general description of feeling good in all aspects of life; mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

19. Is it possible to lead a healthy lifestyle with a chronic disease? Yes. There are many aspects to health and wellness and the disease is only one part. It is possible to improve the quality of life by having healthy habits and can even prevent other complications from the chronic illness.

20. What role does spirituality play in health? Spirituality creates a feeling of belonging and not being alone in the world. If one is spiritual; it helps to answer questions about why an illness has occurred and what can be done to help heal the mind or body.

21. Where can I read what has worked for people with the same health issue as mine? There is a Personal Reports page that is one source to read other people’s stories on what is working for them.

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