Almost everybody has tried it, but is alternative medicine really doing us any good?
A patient once told me she believed swallowing shark liver oil would prevent her from getting cancer, because sharks don't get cancer.
Belief is becoming a most important factor in a world where "alternative health" and wellness has become a major growth industry, offering endless choices.
Estimates are that 90% of people worldwide, and in New Zealand, use some form of healing practices options usually not provided by conventional Western medicine. From liver detoxification to biofeedback to colour therapy, many people are choosing a different route to wellness and recovery.
The most popular alternative therapies include naturopathy (natural body healing), chiropractic (spinal manipulation) homoeopathy (treating like with like), herbal remedies (use of natural plant substances), acupuncture (fine needles inserted into the skin) and traditional Chinese medicine (herbs, acupuncture and massage treatments).
But is this the stuff of quacks and witch doctors? Despite a wealth of available information, there is little or no strong scientific evidence and very little regulation about who and what is safe.
Herbal and natural medicines, although widely used, are not subject to the same scrutiny as prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Anyone can hang out a sign offering their alternative services. Claims that remedies offer cures are often exaggerations and can easily entice people, particularly over the internet.
However, alternative therapies based on ancient healing practices of creating harmony of the mind, body and spirit for total wellness not just physical illness are now widely embraced by the public.
Relaxation and hypnosis can reduce pain and speed recovery after medical procedures, massage therapy is offered in hospices to help reduce anxiety, acupuncture can minimise chemotherapy nausea and self-hypnosis can significantly reduce pain relief needs during labour.
If you are considering alternative treatment, get a correct diagnosis of your problem from your doctor first, gather plenty of information and carefully consider your choices.
If you are already having treatment, talk through your reasons for trying something new with your doctor. Some alternative practitioners are licensed, but many are not. So check out their qualifications carefully and ask what they know about your particular ailment.
Many alternative therapy successes are based on believing it will work a walnut in the pyjama pocket for leg cramps apparently does! Any therapy can cure or fail some of the people some of the time, so a mix of traditional medicine and alternative therapies may work very well together. But bear in mind that anything that sounds too good to be true probably is.
| DIY: 'ALTERNATIVES' |
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1 Let your GP know if you choose alternative therapies – some of them can affect your conventional treatments.
2 Always read labels and warnings on supplements and herbal products carefully. |
3 Buy locally, not off the internet; it is a minefield of alternative health choices.
4 Make sure your acupuncturist uses disposable needles sealed in a sterile package. |
(Published in the Sunday News, 20 September 2009)
More everybody MYHEALTH columns from Barbara Docherty
Barbara Docherty is a registered nurse and clinical lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Nursing, and writer for the everybody.co.nz website. The opinions contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsor. Copyright UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.
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