Would you like to be an equal partner with your healthcare provider? Would you rather prevent an illness than have to find a cure? Are you aware of the impact that each of your dimensions--physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual--has on your health? If these questions spark your interest, then read on. Alternative medicine systems are changing the way healthcare is provided. The goals of each system are to prevent illness, bring a diseased body back into balance, and to empower the patient to be an active participant in the healing process. Each system recognizes that health and illness are reflections of the whole person.
Let's look at two of the most common ailments, the headache and the low backache, through the fundamentals of the seven major alternative medical systems.
AYUVEDA
History: Ayuveda, more than 5,000 years old, comes from India. It is based on the Vedas, the oldest known philosophical and spiritual writings. According to Ayuveda, health is based on the individual's relationship with cosmic consciousness and healing reestablishes the harmony between the individual and universal forces.
Practitioners: There is no government licensing in the United States, yet certifications are available. Training in India takes five and a half to six and a half years. In the U.S., many Ayuvedic practitioners are chiropractors and medical doctors.
Major Premise: Ayuveda operates on the principle that each person has a unique constitution determined by individual physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental traits called doshas. This individual mix determines the flow of the life force, prana. An individual is susceptible to illness when their body's constitution is out of balance.
Major Components: Prana is the basis of healing. The five elements--earth, water, fire, air, and ether--have interdependent functions within the body and the environment. The vata dosha is kinetic energy that stimulates motion; its body type is generally thin and its emotional state is often moody. The pitta dosha is burning energy for digestion and the assimilation of the metabolic processes of cells; its body is generally medium build and responds favorably to regular habits. The kapha dosha is potential energy representing stability, groundedness, and physical strength; its body is generally heavy and its demeanor is easygoing. Specific attention is paid to diet, daily routine, exercises, relationships, and work habits.
Techniques Used: For diagnosis, the pulse and tongue are examined, and an extensive interview about lifestyle is conducted. Treatments may include breathing techniques, yoga postures (asanas), meditation, herbs, oil massage, aromatherapy, music therapy, and panchakarma.
Rx for the Headache: Asanas, such as the shoulder stand, the fish, and the cobra might be recommended along with sweet tasting herbs, such as licorice, marshmallow root, slippery elm, or comfrey root.
Rx for the Low Backache: Asanas that might be recommended include forward and backward bending, gentle stretching, back rolls, and spinal twists.
CHIROPRACTIC
History: Chiropractic, the manipulation of the spine and joints, was developed by David Daniel Palmer, an osteopath in the late 19th century. He believed that subluxation of (displaced) vertebrae interferes with the spinal nerves and the flow of energy throughout the body.
Practitioners: Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states. Training includes at least two years of study in the biological sciences and four years of residency at a chiropractic college.
Major Premise: When the spinal column is manipulated to bring the musculoskeletal structures of the body into alignment, the proper relationship with the nervous system is restored, thereby restoring health.
Major Components: Chiropractors believe that almost all illness stems from the subluxation of vertebrae and that healing comes from the realignment of the spinal column. Problems in the musculoskeletal system are most often attributed to habits which cause the body to move unnaturally, such as sitting in one place too long, driving, sitting on unsuitable seating, improper bending and lifting. Chiropractic has been found to be particularly effective in healing general joint problems such as strains, slipped discs, generalized back and neck pain; arthritis, rheumatism, and headaches.
Techniques Used: For diagnosis, an extensive case history is taken, the blood pressure is checked, and there are physical and mobility exams. X-rays are used when warranted. Treatment includes an adjustment, which is manual pressure, often on special tables; special exercises; and diet and exercise recommendations.
Rx for the Headache: The chiropractor would adjust the spine to release the impinges on the nerves.
Rx for the Low Backache: The chiropractor would adjust the spine. Other recommendations might include posture exercises, cold compresses, and proper methods of sitting, standing, lifting objects, and resting.
HERBALISM
History: The use of herbs, specifically myrrh and frankincense, was recorded as early as 3,000 BC. Their use in treating illnesses likely began much earlier. At least 40 percent of modern pre-packaged medicine now in use are synthetic variants of plant constituents. Herbs are a major treatment method in the healthcare of 80 percent of the world's population.
Practitioners: There is no government licensing for herbalists. Training for herbalists varies and certifications are available. Generally, Ayuvedic doctors, chiropractors, medical doctors, naturopaths, and Chinese medicine doctors prescribe herbs.
Major Premise: Herbs are used to stimulate the body's own natural healing abilities by rebalancing and cleansing it. They can be combined to activate, regulate, heal or tone any organ in the body unless the tissue has been completely destroyed.
Major Components: Plants are used for their healing and health promoting properties, encouraging metabolic processes that help maintain the body's state of balance. Herbs are classified according to their therapeutic and spiritual energies, their flavors and humors, and their active biochemical constituents. Herbalists seek out root causes.
Techniques Used: For diagnosis, an examination is conducted, and a detailed history is taken. Treatment includes herbs in various forms, such as dried, infusions, oils, tinctures, capsules, pills, and tablets.
Rx for the Headache: Depending on your symptoms, one of the following herbs might be recommended: feverfew, valerian, burdock root, goldenseal root, white willow bark, or lavender.
Rx for the Low Backache: One of the following herbs might be recommended: boswellia serata, butcher's broom, tumeric, white willow bark, horsetail, and slippery elm.
HOMEOPATHY
History: Homeopathy was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnermann in Leipzig, Germany in the late 18th century. He was discouraged by the medical practices that made patients sicker and sometimes caused death. He conducted many experiments on himself to determine the effectiveness of his medicines and to prove his belief that "like cures like."
Practitioners: Homeopaths take a minimum of 250 hours of training. They are licensed in three states. Homeopathy is often practiced by medical doctors and chiropractors.
Major Premise: The presence of an illness stimulates the natural body's defense system to eliminate the illness. The symptoms are part of the curative process giving clues to the underlying cause of the imbalance.
Major Components: The Law of Similars holds that the same substances that causes particular symptoms in a healthy person will cure a sick person who exhibits those same symptoms. The Law of Infinitesimals holds that highly diluted drugs are more potent than more concentrated ones. Each illness and its correct remedy are specific to the individual patient.
Techniques Used: For diagnosis, the homeopath will "take the case" which includes many questions about almost every aspect of life. Treatment is a remedy which come in various forms, including ointments, tablets, capsules, and tinctures. Recommendations are often made regarding lifestyle.
Rx for the Headache: Depending on your symptoms, one of the following remedies may be recommended: bryonia, gelsemium, nux vomica, belladonna, aconite, or argentum.
Rx for the Low Backache: Depending on your symptoms, one of the following remedies may be recommended: arnica, rhus toxicodendron, bryonia, nux vomica, or pulsatilla.
NATUROPATHY
History: German-born Benedict Lust is credited for bringing naturopathy to the United States in the late 19th century. Using naturopathic methods, he cured himself of tuberculosis, then obtained doctorates in osteopathy and medicine. Naturopathy is the use of non-toxic healing methods derived from the Greek, Oriental, and European traditions.
Practitioners: Naturopaths complete a four year naturopathic medical training program. They are licensed in 11 states.
Major Premise: A combination of various therapies which emphasize the prevention of illness can be effective in assisting the body's natural healing power.
Major Components: The vital force of life is inherent in the whole person. When the body is ill, it goes through a self-cleansing process. The underlying conditions that promote the illness must be eliminated. Self-responsibility for health and healing is strongly promoted.
Techniques Used: For diagnosis, a standard medical work-up, including the use of diagnostic tools, such as blood work, x-rays, and physical exams, is conducted. Treatments may include diet and lifestyle modifications, homeopathic remedies, herbs, acupuncture , hydrotherapy, massage, counseling, colonics, fasting, vitamin and mineral supplements.
Rx for the Headache: The recommendations are likely to include a healthy diet that excludes all sweet foods; regular intake of protein; relaxation; cold compresses to forehead and back of neck; or alternate hot and cold compresses on the back of the neck and the shoulders.
Rx for the Low Backache: Recommendations may include rest on a firm flat surface; a relaxation routine; alternate hot and cold compresses; sitz baths; low spine stretching; and an acupressure massage of the Achilles tendon.
OSTEOPATHY
History: In the latter part of the 19th century, Dr. Andrew Still of Missouri sought out treatment that would stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms. He developed a method of manipulating joints and muscles to correct musculoskeletal and other disorders. He believed the person's normal state of being was health.
Practitioners: Osteopaths are licensed in all 50 states. Their training includes four years of osteopathic school plus a residency and internship.
Major Premise: The body's natural tendency to heal itself is free to do so through this system of gentle manual pressure and articulation. The structural and mechanical problems of the body's entire framework, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue, is the focus.
Major Components: The body can functioning properly on all levels if it is structurally and mechanically sound. The gross movement of any joint affects the viability of the smallest cell. Minute stresses in the body's structure create opportunities for dysfunction. Problems in structure arise from the effects of gravity on the body. Treatment is geared to the needs of the individual patient and is guided by the moment to moment changes in the stress patterns of the tissues.
Techniques Used: For diagnosis, a detailed medical history is taken; a structure exam is conducted; observations of standing, sitting, and moving are made; orthopedic and neurological tests may be ordered; x-rays may be taken. Treatment is hands on manipulation.
Rx for the Headache: The osteopath may apply very gentle pressure to the head and upper neck.
Rx for the Low Backache: Recommendations might include back exercises, stretching, yoga exercises, hydrotherapy, posture exercises, and changing movement habits.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
History: Traditional Chinese Medicine, an extremely complex and sophisticated healing system, is over 5,000 years old. It's techniques are recorded in The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, the oldest known medical book, dating back 2,500 years.
Practitioners: TCM doctors are trained at an accredited school with a minimum of two years of study in science. Acupuncturists are licensed in 31 states. TCM doctors are licensed in two states. Medical doctors and chiropractors often practice acupuncture.
Major Premise: Humanity is part of the universe and is subject to the same laws that govern the stars, planets, trees, and water. All universal forces impact health and are present in the human being. Any symptom or illness is the result of imbalance in qi, the body's vital energy Every imbalance arises from a person's lifestyle and their relation to the universe.
Major Components: The Tao is made up of yin and yang, two opposing forces that combine to create everything, including the human being, seasons, temperature, magnetic poles. There are 14 meridians of energy which run vertically to specific parts of the body. Twelve are associated with the five organs (liver, heart, spleen, lung, kidney). If a median is blocked or stagnant, an imbalance occurs in the organs and the qi is diminished. There are as many as 2000 acupuncture points along the meridians that may be stimulated to direct qi to organs and functions of the body or to drain qi when it's excessive. TCM is based on the 5 element theory [fire, earth, metal, water, wood ] that links the seasons of the year, aspects of nature, body's organs, specific foods, herbs, and treatments to cure the illness.
Techniques Used: For diagnosis, facial and body features, the tongue, the iris and schlera of the eye and the pulse are examined. Treatment often includes acupuncture, moxibustion (placing burning herbs over acupuncture points), cupping (applying hot cups along meridians), massage, herbal medicines, diet modifications, meditation, specific exercises, and counseling.
Rx for the Headache: The TCM doctor would likely perform acupuncture on specific points.
Rx for the Low Backache: The TCM doctor would likely perform acupuncture on specific points.
So, the next time you have a headache, backache, or some other ailment, you don't have to just live with it. You have more choices than ever before. You may find that a combination of treatments brings you relief from your aches and pains. Use your freedom wisely by making responsible choices about your health and well-being.
Disclaimer
Please note that suggestions for treatment are for illustration purposes only. Consult the healthcare provider of your choice before making any decisions regarding your health.
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