Holistic Health Care
Explore the holistic health care options and whoose what is right for you.
Explore the options and choose what's right for you.
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by Michael Castleman
Thirty years ago, conventional and complementary health
practitioners were calling each other nasty names and
dismissing each other's treatments as useless or dangerous.
These days, many complementary health care practitioners
are willing to admit that for emergency medicine,
conventional treatments usually are the best option.
Meanwhile, conventional doctors are embracing diet changes,
exercise and stress management as valuable complements to
medical care and are more willing to accept other holistic
therapies as valid treatments. Because of this growing
acceptance, many people are finding they don't have to
choose between complementary or conventional medicine, but
can have the best of both.
So where should you turn for your health care needs? The
truth is that most medical treatment begins in the same
place. Think of health care as a ladder, with each rung
representing another option. The first rung should be
self-care, when you decide whether the aspirin — or
willow bark — in your medicine cabinet will be enough
to make you feel better, or if you might have a more
serious problem.
If self-care doesn't provide sufficient relief, the next
rung should be conventional medicine, which is usually best
for diagnosing serious conditions. Initially, that's what
you need: a clear idea of how minor, or major, your problem
is. If it's serious, you need to get that information as
soon as possible so you can begin treating the problem. If
it's minor, then you're free to decide which steps on up
the ladder to take: conventional, complementary or a
combination of the two.
Many people feel most comfortable with conventional
medicine, which certainly is successful at treating many
health problems. But even if you decide to go this route,
it's important to take an active interest in your medical
care. Doctors have embraced many lifestyle treatments, but
they still usually rely on drugs and surgery, both of which
carry their own risks. Before accepting any prescription,
be sure you understand all of the drug's possible side
effects. Ask your doctor, and then ask the pharmacist who
fills your prescription. You also might check a consumer
health Web site, such as www.webmd.com. Before opting for
surgery, get more than one opinion.
If you're new to complementary therapies, you'll find any
number of reasons to consider giving them a try. For some
conditions, herbal medicines can have the same result as a
conventional prescription, but with fewer side effects.
Holistic treatments also can be an especially good choice
for treating stress-related diseases, as well as for
managing chronic pain.
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