Alternative medicine, friend or foe? - please debate

[evolution]

Has anybody been cured of disease or illness or had an improvement in health and wellbeing as a result of 'alternative' practices e.g. nutrition, special diet, aromatherapy, herbalism, shiatsu (the list is endless)? Does anybody think that some or many of these practices are fake? What works and what doesn't?

[Scarlett]

I am convinced that I have been helped by homeopathy many times. I also have done a detox diet, which has truly remarkable results. I am totally switched off by doctors. Whenever I go, they only prescribe painkillers. All the things I have wrong with me have no cure. The doctors seem to know very little, and the homeopath and nutritionalists seem to know a great deal. I have tried both, and the "alternative" practices win my vote every time.

[Lindy Loo]

I agree Scarlett. I've used several alternative therapies in the past with great success, but still use the GP for some things. My last 'alternative' treatment was osteopathy with accupuncture for a frozen shoulder. It helped a great deal, and far less painful than the steroid injections from my GP.

[Wraith]

I have removed dairy products from my diet to try and reduce my sinus problems and to help stop my migraines. For the past few years it has worked wonders.

I have also tried t'ai chi breathing excersises to help my asthma, and again I noticed vast improvements. Whilst practicing the breathing techniques regularly I was able to go without any of my medication for nearly a year. Unfortunately, due to one reason or another, I no longer practice them and have gone back to my medication.

[evolution]

Thanks for the info everyone! I started a nutritional therapy course last week and am interested to know what people think. Has anbody had any bad experiences?

[nicola_red]

Homeopathic tablets really helped my severe PMT, of course the effects could be psychological but it seemed to work so I didn't mind either way.

[jills]

I have a friend who is a reflexologist. A couple of years ago she got a job at a cancer hospice to work with the patients there, many of whom were terminally ill. She got the job because a survey had shown the positive affects that reflexology can have on people with pain and the charity running the hospice decided to spend some of their hard earned money on a part time reflexologist. My friend loved the work she did, because many of her patients told her that their sessions with her helped them cope with their pain, or even just left them feeling more relaxed, and able to get through the day in better spirits. Some even managed to reduce their pain medication. Hope you enjoy your course, you sound keen and excited by it, which is lovely. x

[buchanan]

Chinese Herbalist sorted out the terrible eczema I had a number of years ago. I was in a bit of a state but a combintion of a foul brew (and I mean really foul) and cream was really effective.

[dadasupreme]

I can say something about this as its my line of work. Be careful of practices that might harm. I dont believe in reflexology... however do you know of anyone who dislikes a foot massage? I dont believe in Tai Chi, but isnt it a known fact that if you breathe deeply, concentrate and perform "exercise" you re going to feel relaxed and more energetic? the list is endless. Lava/Stone Massage - arent heat and massage (whether with stones or whatever) a form of muscle relaxants. Thus YES alternative treatments DO work, but make sure you arent being scammed. I have a lot to say about this, but im limited!

[evolution]

On a visit to China last year I noticed that Tai Chi is a really big thing there. It's perfectly normal to see large groups of people doing it in the city parks so they must get something from it!

[CiderMonkey]

My boyfriend's mum recently passed her reflexology qualification and whilst doing her course often practised on the family. One evening whilst practising on me she asked if I had been having problems with my shoulder as she felt something odd in that part of my foot. I HAD had an aching shoulder that day (think i'd slept on it awkwardly), but i hadn't told anyone so there was no way she could have known. I was also out at work all day so it's not even like she may have seen me rubbing it or anything and picked up from that. So i beleive there's certainly something in it!

[louby_lou]

I used to suffer with psoriasis on my knees and elbows really badly and I'd seen my doctor on numerous occasions and nothing he prescribed seemed to work. I then tried a treatment calle Hydra Detox which rebalances the body's bio-energy (chi) and it cleared up completely!

[Yeah Bee]

"ordinary" medecin once started as alternative medecin. There are many things we can learn about other cultures. Sometimes we can't find "scientific" evidence on the reason but that shouldn't stop us, maybe it is just a placebo-effect but it is an effect. But we must crack down on  some of the mumbo-jumbo cuz that can not only hurt people but also decive them. But traditonal medecin isn't a foe if it has been working for thousends of years why bother arguiing about it, it is your choice to believe it isn't it?

[bagboy]

I am currently training as a holistic therapist. I prefer the term "complementary therapy" as most therapies should in general be used as an adjunct to mainstream treatment. The exception here is TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine which is a genuine alternative approach if you choose to go that route. The therapies and practices I engage in are very useful as a way of improving health, but I would never claim to diagnose or cure disease, only registered medical practitioners are able to make that claim legally.

[kopend]

i have heard acupuncture can cure most things, and there are a few different types.

[herbalcures]

Ayurvedic herbal preparation that is very effective in relieving excess flatulence, stomach gas, stomach pains and abdominal bloating. It is very effective in cases of distension and heaviness in the stomach. It dramatically reduces acidity in the stomach . Used in India for the last 55 years
Contents

Each ml. of Amritdhara solution contains:

Ajwain ( Carum Copticum) extract: 0.200 gms.


Pudina (Mint) extract: 0.050 gms.

Clove oil: 0.002 ml.

Camphor: 0.400 gms.

Eucalyptus Oil: to make 1 ml.



Ajowan is a very effective herb for relieving indigestion flatulence and spasmodic disorders.


Mint extracts have excellent carminative and digestive properties. They provide quick natural relief from stomachache, gas and indigestion

Camphor, in small doses camphor warms the stomach, stimulates secretion, increases peristalsis and expels flatus.


Clove oil stimulates peristalsis.


When combined in predetermined proportions, they work wonders on stomach health.

How it works

A few drops of Amritdhara help normalize the peristaltic movements - a major cause of stomach discomfort. It is effective in healing stomach bloating and stomach heaviness caused by excessive gas formation.


Directions for use

For stomach pains, stomach gas or indigestion, add 3-4 drops of Amritdhara to lukewarm water and drink. May be taken thrice a day or even hourly in case of acute cases.

Soon after intake, you should experience a relief in symptoms such as an urge to release stomach gas, or a subsiding of stomach pains and abdominal bloating.
Available at www.globalstore.tk

[bkknowles]

I don't know of ANY "disease" thats been cured by alternative OR traditional medicine. There have been treatments etc.. but no known cures that I am aware of. As far as health improvements through alternative medicine, I can personally say that St. John's Wort is an excellent antidepressant/mood enhancer. In fact, it is the #1 antidepressant recommend from European doctor's over ANY of the prescription antidepressant. Acid reflux, otherwise known as heartburn, can in fact be treated with apple cider vinegar, which really came as a surprise to me but when you learn what 'acid reflux' ie: heartburn truly is it makes complete sense. Acupuncture, Reflexology, massage, chiropractic therapy, etc., etc., etc are all great treatments that do many things for people. All of which rejuvenate the body and spirit. All of the above relieve tension, stress and increase blood flowcreatinga healthier body. Doctor's today are to involved with drug companies. They are just legalized drug pushers that don't take the time to find the solution to the problem they would rather band aid it. A better question, in my eyes, would be what was the last disease that was CURED through traditional medicine? Not treated but CURED?

[society]

Although this is not an answer to your question, it's a great question. I wish there would be more interesting and thoughtful questions like this one where we all can learn something from.

Please don't misunderstand me about the other questions posted, because there are no stupid questions.