|
|
| Alternative Medicine Information |
|
|
|
Natural Medicine--Finding a Qualified Naturopath
Naturopathic medicine is currently the fastest growing segment of the alternative health movement but not everyone practicing this branch of "natural" medicine is qualified to do so. I like to group naturopaths according to their educational backgrounds because I believe that the quality of your naturopath's education directly affects the quality of care you'll receive. Naturopaths fall into one of three categories: Medically Trained Practitioners Medically trained naturopaths are mainstream physicians who have either added natural therapies to their existing practices or have abandoned mainstream medicine altogether in favor of natural therapies. It's estimated that only 3% of mainstream physicians practice any natural therapies so if you can find one exclusively practicing natural medicine grab hold and don't let go. Their education and extensive training make these professionals among the best of the best when it comes to natural health. Self-Trained and Untrained Practitioners If medically trained practitioners are among the best of the best then the healers at the opposite end of the spectrum are among the worst. These are what I call the untrained or self-taught practitioners and many of them fall into what I also call the I-read-a-book-and-now-I'm-an-expert group. I've known some wonderful self-taught herbalists but before you hire a self-trained naturopath consider the following: * Many self-trained practitioners are self-trained because they feel disenfranchised from medicine, the government and society in general. These "rebels without a cause" often deny clients valid medical information in favor of more "natural" treatments. * Self-trained practitioners often have a poor understanding of basic anatomy and physiology. This can make diagnosis difficult and may result in ineffective or inappropriate treatment. * Self-trained practitioners aren't going to have access to professional resources like professional journals, peer-reviewed research materials and professional-level diagnostic tools. This can especially worrisome in regard to herb/drug interactions and often means that the practitioner is operating without liability or malpractice insurance. Traditionally Trained Naturopaths Between the medically trained and self-trained practitioners is a group of professionals known as the traditionally trained naturopaths. Like their mainstream peers, these practitioners are formally educated but their education focuses on non-invasive, drug-free therapies. Licensure varies from state to state and most naturopaths work primarily as consultants but some, especially the NDs (Naturopathic Doctors), can replace your mainstream family physician. Before you hire a traditionally trained naturopath ask about his or her educational background. (Unfortunately, diploma mill "degrees" are common in this field.) Anyone using the term "doctor" should have a doctorate-level degree from a legitimate naturopathic school. Before you hire an alternative health practitioner (or any mainstream practitioner, for that matter) request a free consultation and ask a few questions. Any "natural" practitioner that balks at basic questions like these should be avoided: *Where did you go to school? *What's your area of expertise? *What professional organizations do you support? *What do you think about mainstream medicine? Most importantly, remember that "natural" doesn't always mean "safe" or "best". No legitimate naturopath will deny his or her client information about mainstream treatments, prescription drugs or surgical options. Lisa Barger is a traditionally trained naturopath specializing in illness prevention counseling. Ms. Barger holds certification in Ayurveda, Iridology, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and American Herbology. For information about Ms. Barger's free seminars for churches, day cares and non-profit organizations please see our web site at http://www.LisaBarger.com .
Physician and Patient Attitudes towards Complementary and ... - 7thSpace Interactive (press release)
alternative medicine - Google News |
|
|
|
Alternative Medicine Teas From Plants Around You and Their Benefits All teas unless specified are brewed with 1 teaspoon dry material or 2 teaspoons fresh material to 1 cup of water. Always steep. This means pouring hot water over material and letting set for 5 - 15 minutes. Always dry leaves and roots out of the sun, in dark airy places. Then store in airtight containers. Tea Tree Oil Tea Tree Oil is one of the most useful products in nature. It has been used by some Aboriginal People in Australia for many centuries as one of their most useful medicines. Tea Tree oil is derived from Melaleuca Alternifloria which is a narrow-leafed paper bark tree that is native to certain parts of Australia. Some people think that it is called the Tea Tree because Captain Cook, who sailed from England in the 17th Century, used the leaves to make a tea from when they first voyaged to Australia, hence the name Tea Tree. Captain Cook found that it was good at combating scurvy a disease that many of his crew suffered from at that time due to a lack of fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Using Psyllium For Relieving Constipation If you have asthma, do not take or use psyllium. Some people with asthma have had allergic reactions to psyllium and the powder from psyllium can cause an asthma attack. Gratitude Here's a quick question: You've got a bad cold. Do you moan and groan about your misfortune, or do you crawl into bed, grateful to be able to pull the covers back over your head and give your body the rest it's asking for? Fixing it with Hypnosis There are many fears and misunderstandings about the use of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, and the myths and mystery that surround it are totally undeserved. This page will help you to understand the enormous life-enhancing potential of this ancient therapy. Kill Your Stuttering/Stammering Demons Apparently one percent of British people suffer from the speech impediment called stuttering. Only people who stutter can ever really know how difficult life can become when you are unable to speak fluently in all situations. The 7 Best Ways To Use Your Subconscious for Pain Relief Your subconscious has influence over 7 different factors that could be causing your pain. Here's what you need to know about them so you can try to get relief. Classical Music Therapy Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in healing and harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. For thousands of years, the Vedic culture has used sound and music for body and mind balancing, health enhancement, healing promotion and encouragement of heightened awareness. The Greek mathematician, Pythagoras theorized that music diminished and even eradicated negative energy and emotions. Modern studies explicitly show that specific sounds and music do in fact, have documented, measurable and multiple healing benefits. Today's medicine understands that all bodily functions, like breathing and pulse, work cyclically and rhythmically. It is these rhythms that are influenced and synchronized with certain music and sound patterns. Health Improvements for Your Family Your husband always seems tired. Your son is always hungry. And your daughter? Well, she goes through enough hair products to try to make her hair look healthier, that you are sure all the chemicals she's using are going to make her go bald. So, what if there was a way you could increase your husband's metabolism, decrease your son's hunger, and give your daughter really healthy hair instead of hair that just looks healthy? And what if all that could be done from the juice of just one plant's fruit? Alternative Herbal Cures for Ailments With the increased usage of herbs for treatment of ailments from Common cold to Cancer, there is an increasing need for authentic and unbiased information on various cures using herbs. Constipation: A Serious Health Concern How often do you go to the bathroom and have a bowel movement? I realize that this question may seem odd, but it the most basic sign of good digestive health. Over 95% of health problems start in the digestive system and constipation is certainly a culprit in many of these maladies. Magnetic Therapy, How And Why Magnets Effect The Body Have you ever read or have been told that "it is not known why magnets work"? Well, this is untrue. All human and animal bodies are electromagnetic in nature and this fact is closely allied to the chemical balance of the body which can be in either a healthy or an unhealthy state. How Toxic Is Your Home? We like to think of our homes as being a safe place to be--a refuge from a dangerous world. Yet some of the exposures that you have day-to-day that are most hazardous to your health and the health of your family happen right at home. Pyrethre: Pest Terminator History Oregano Supplements : An Effective Natural Treatment for Fungus and Other Ailments What's the big deal with oregano? Many of you have eaten foods containing oregano, or even sprinkled it on your pizza, without knowing its healing powers. In a comparative research, oregano topped the list of healthy herbs according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. According to, Shiow Y. Wang, Ph.D., the study's lead researcher and biochemist, herbs with the highest antioxidant activity belonged to the oregano family. In general, oregano had three to 20 times higher antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied. Nature, An ADHD Natural Treatment My mother's warning; "You are going to rot your brain out..." still rings through my mind whenever I spend too much time in front of the television set. Drugstore Hemorrhoid Medications There are many drugstore and alternative Internet products for treating hemorrhoids. Most of the products are not made to cure or eliminate hemorrhoids but to give you temporary relief of itching, pain, swelling or bleeding. I don't recommend using any type of product that is not natural or that comes from a drugstore. Homeopathy: A Natural Health 101 Article What It Is Why Choose Naturopathic Medicine? Naturopathic medicine is a system and philosophy of medicine that has been around for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Before the advent of 'conventional' medicine, which uses a wide variety of drugs and surgical procedures, almost every doctor learned how to use herbs, minerals, homeopathy, and other natural methods to treat disease. Since the early 1900's and with the discovery of antibiotics, usage and public knowledge of naturopathic medicine has declined. This was most likely due to the 'quick fix' nature of many of the new drugs developed and increased safety of surgical procedures. Pain Relief: Is There an Alternative? Do you rely on Vioxx, Celebrex or Aleve (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs) to ease pain? If you suffer from inflammatory arthritis or pain due to injuries, you probably are familiar with one of these drugs. No doubt you have also heard recent reports linking some NSAIDs with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Belonging to a class called Cox-2 inhibitors, the drugs in question work by reducing inflammation and pain, while having a minimal effect on stomach bleeding and ulcers. But several studies have raised questions as to the long-term consequences of using Vioxx, Celebrex, Aleve and, possibly, other drugs in this classification. What are the facts and do you have an alternative for pain relief?
|
| home | site map | |
© 2006 www.elearn-university.org |
