WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?

Did it ever happen to you that you had a terrible headache and the best medicine you could think of was for someone wear boxing gloves to a big bang on your head, or you just feel like pulling your hair out? If yes, you have already thought of some alternative medicine!

No, alternative medicine isn’t about hurting yourself, but it definitely is about exploring some other methods of medicine other than swallowing the tablets. The reason for this is partly because of avoiding dependence to allopathic drugs, which can indirectly do more harm than good and partly because of man’s continuous curiosity to try something new. However, there’s no harm looking for new things if you can find something better to deal with your day-to-day health problems.

Much of the “alternative medicine” or “alternative healing” comes from the ancient medical wisdom. Some cultures use sharp needles to cure pain from body, some believe that herbs and shrubs can provide great relief, while some people will use a paste of mud on their body to cool down, or use an ice pack, hot water bottle, or simple massaging – all these methods surely are a form of medicine as it relieves pain and other ailments. However, these methods aren’t well known to the public as they are against the organized advertisement movements of traditional pharmaceutical products and hence fall under the category of alternative medicine.

Defining Alternative Medicine

It’s difficult to establish a single definition for alternative medicine. These days there are so many techniques and methods being explored and marketed that there are many names floating out there.

Be it Holistic medicine, natural medicine, complementary medicine, integrated medicine…they are all but aspects of alternative medicine. The common alternative therapies include aromatherapy, acupressure, yoga, message, music therapy, hypnosis, relaxation, meditation, ayurveda, naturopathy, nutritional therapy, and homeopathy as well. This point of alternative medicine is to see that all parts of an individual’s life are in sync and healthy.

Alternative Medicine System’s Point Of View

Alternative medicine systems say that health isn’t mere absence of disease. Life ought to be lived with enthusiasm, and absence of enthusiasm too is a sign of ill health. Every individual is different and has a unique purpose in life. Alternative medicine tries to ensure that this purpose of life is maintained, as a person without a purpose in life cannot function to the fullest of his abilities. One needs to be inspired and motivated to be able to live life fully.

An illness, in fact, might not be a cause of great worry. It isn’t just infections which cause sickness. A new thought process in one’s mind is capable of changing the entire personality. The great warrior king Asoka was so moved by the death and destruction in the kalinga war that he gave up everything and became a Buddhist reformer. Similarly, illness may present itself as an opportunity to change us into different, better human beings. Therefore alternative medicine tries to have an integral view of the person’s personality and various factors and emotions guiding his behaviour.

So next time, when you feel unwell, resist the temptation to swallow that pill, just sit back, relax and switch on your favourite music, go back in time, evoke sweet memories, analyse your path, redefine your goals, have a purpose to live for and you will feel your strength returning and realize that life is indeed beautiful – and worth living for!

THE HISTORY OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Alternative or holistic medicine was the beginning of the idea of medicine thousands of years ago. In these times, people would take into consideration many different factors before initiating a cure. They would consider not only the physical state, but the emotional and intellectual state as well. This form of medicine concerned itself not only with the physical problem, but with the problems of the "whole" self. This is what makes this form of medicine so much different from today.

The medicine that we use today is in high demand and in demand to fix whatever the problem is instantly. For the most part, the doctors that we see for our symptoms only look at the physical problems of the body and nothing else. This is only one of the many differences between the old medicine and today.

Alternative medicine has evolved from the beginning and has survived through the ages of pills and pain removers. There are millions of people today who still live their life by the alternative medical treatments. Alternative medicine includes massage, therapy, herbal tea, herbal medicine and more. Massage is one of the oldest and first styles of alternative medicine known today. There has been record of massage since ancient Egypt and the pyramids. Massage is something that many people take advantage of today, but many do not realize that they are using alternative medicine because massage has become so common.

Each and every culture and civilization had their own version of alternative medicine. With more than 5000 years of alternative medicine, there were many different treatments that were used. It was from some of these alternative medical treatments that we have our faster and more effective treatments today.
In European history there were two types of healers, the professional physicians and the folk healers. The folk healers lived in the lower class and healed the people of each village who could not afford the expensive physicians. These people believed in the folk treatment and it worked for them. This type of situation also occurred in many other cultures.

In the Western culture, philosophy was frequently used to assist the folk healers in their quest for a holistic treatment. Philosophy was something that told the stories of their lives. With a twist of philosophy and religion as well as belief, they easily found the best treatment available for whatever it was that was ailing the villagers of this time.

It did not take long for the folk healers and alternative medicine world to evolve into a new form of medicine: - the conventional ways that we know today. Each new century there was a new development in the world of medicine. These advances are what has brought us to where we are today in the medical world.

Just because we now have a more advanced or shall we say instantaneous form of medication, this does not mean that alternative medicine does not exist any longer. Alternative medicine is still surviving and still used by many people today. Massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal, humor therapy, meditation, and the list can go on and on. The only thing is, that some of these treatments have recently over the years become to popular that they are no longer considered alternative medicine and they are now supported by physicians.

The history of alternative medicine is as progressive and distinctive as any other historical adventure. Alternative medicine has survived through the years for one reason. It works. The theory of alternative medicine has been ridiculed throughout the centuries but the fact remains that these treatments work. They may not work as fast as the treatments that we have today, but they work. Holistically and naturally these treatments work. This type of treatment can be better for most people if they give these ideas a chance.
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS VS ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

There are not as many differences between these two types of treatments as you may think. There are however, quite a few large differences that may change your mind regarding whichever form of treatment you normally use.

Conventional methods of treatments are treatments that everyone has used at one point in their life. These conventional methods include treatments such as, prescription medication, scientific methods, x-rays and the list goes on. Everyone is familiar with these types of treatments and at one point or another has undergone one or more of them. Conventional treatment seems to have taken over the medical establishment. Some patients feel more at ease knowing they are taking pills and doing what their doctor tells them, some people do not need this. These are the people who prefer to use alternative methods of treatments.

Have you ever tried any alternative methods of treatments? Alternative treatments require a judgment call. It takes a big step for some people to move away from the conventional medical treatments and try something new. Sometimes a change in treatment is all you need to feel that much better. Alternative treatments include:

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Massage
Meditation
Homeopathy
Herbs

These forms of treatment have become more and more popular in the last few years. The use of alternative medicine and treatments are beginning to be used more and more when the conventional methods are found to be ineffective. There are many diseases, chronic pains and illnesses that are found to be incurable and even sometimes untreatable. This is when patients find themselves searching for alternative treatments to ease their pain. No matter what your paid is, anyone of the alternative treatments listed above can help. These methods are meant to not only ease your physical pain, but to also relieve your mental and spiritual stresses and tensions. It may be hard to belief but stress and tension can create and increase the pains of your disease. These alternative methods relief this stress, therefore relieving your pain. It is hard for some people to make this jump to alternative treatments, but in the past few years, alternative treatments has become not so far of a jump.

As you can see there is really only one single difference between these two forms of treatments. Conventional methods of treatments only focus on the physical ailments and nothing else. Where the alternative methods of treatments focus on the entire body and soul. Alternative methods do require a bit more work than the conventional methods. They require a lot of self
discipline. If you are not willing to put the effort in, than it is doubtful that you will see any results from these methods. Conventional methods take absolutely no work from you as the patient except going to your doctor and taking the medicine they prescribe for you. It is based on trust not belief.

For serious, even life threatening diseases or illnesses you may want to consider using both of these methods simultaneously. When deciding whether this is right for you, it is very important to check with your doctor before undergoing any alternative treatments. You want to avoid any negative interference. If used properly, you can live an enjoyable life
without stress and pain as well as controlling your illness with your conventional methods.

There are some great differences between these two forms of treatment, but if used correctly, they can compliment each other in a very positive way. Depending on why you want to use the alternative methods and what your pains or ailments are you can choose the right alternative method to compliment your illness in the best way possible. Sometimes different can be good!

Affirmations Software - Sculptor3.
Affirmation goal setting motivational software, for improved mental/physical health, personal growth.
PowerPause -The Fantastic Formula.
The PowerPause is a simple, 3 minute, 3 step formula for creating fantastic success in money, health and relationships.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”