Alternative medicine has always received wide attention worldwide, because of its success in helping men to live a healthy life. This is why people prefer to go in search of alternative medical practitioners for a better healing result. This area is always under research and you can find a reliable treatment for all human health related issues.  

If you are looking for an alternative medicine practitioner in your area, the best place to search is through internet. Websites list the name, contact information and other basic and detailed descriptions of such practitioners in each area. These websites also allow alternative medicine practitioners to list their details in the pages so that users who are in need of this information can easily search and find out the relevant information for them.  

Most of such websites provide an easy to search interface for users. The websites will be so arranged that they can simply give the search criteria and wait for their most sought results. A country based or a sip code based search will be more comfortable if you want area based information.  

Another benefit of going for such a detailed research through internet is that, this information will be reliable. The websites will have trust worthy information and most of the websites take special attention to include the names of doctors who have a good reputation in the area of alternative medicine. This ensures that you are never cheated and you get help, treatment and suggestions from the experts in this area.  

Before going for a wild search, you can ask the opinion of experts or professionals. They can give you the names of reliable websites to get details of alternative medicine practitioners. You can even depend on customer reviews so that the end result you obtain will always be trust worthy.

 



By: dona

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Alternative medicine can be defined as any form of therapy, practice or treatment which is outside the mainstream or beyond the realm of the conventional.

More generally it can be defined as any approach or medicine which differs from conventional Western forms. Alternative medicine is often talked about in conjunction with Complementary Therapy and the umbrella term Complementary & Alternative Medicine or CAM is used.

As a general guide some of the more mainstream CAMs are acupuncture, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathy, reiki, reflexology & Yoga.

Alternative medicine in the UK is growing year on year and in 2006 it generated expenditure of 1.6 billion pounds. Large numbers of people choose to seek out alternative forms of medicine subsequent to a diagnosis from their GP or other traditional route. However in the main, research shows that people tend to use CAMs in parallel with conventional medicine. There is often resistance from GPs to recommend or refer a patient to an alternative therapy where they consider empirical evidence to be limited or non-conclusive and the research methods are not always standardised as with traditional medicine. There are also often funding issues relating to onward referrals within the NHS.

However, the CAM sector is responding to this criticism by adopting the standard research methods & evidence provision in line with the medical establishments traditional methods. This is largely assisting with the rapid growth of this multi-layered industry, alongside the continually growing wealth of positive empirical evidence.

Generally speaking CAM’s can be organised into five key areas, although it should be noted that there are number of areas where these overlap. These areas are -

Whole Medical Systems (WMS)

WHMS have been developed in the West – often with it roots in other medicine systems. Examples of this type of system are Naturopathy – helping or stimulating the body’s own in-built healing system by improving diet & lifestyle in conjunction with other CAMs such as acupuncture and massage. A good non Western parallel to this system is Chinese Medicine as is Ayurveda which hails from India and takes the holistic approach of treating the mind body & spirit via massage, yoga, herbs & meditation.

Another WMS which developed in recent years in the West is Homeopathy the practice of stimulating the healing system of the body by delivering minute amounts of certain elements or substances which in much higher doses would be detrimental or dangerous to a patient’s health.

Mind-Body Medicine (MBM)

MBM can call upon a number of techniques which are aimed at improving the symptoms & functions of the body e.g. meditation, Yoga etc. A number of therapies which historically where thought to be CAMs are now firmly placed in the mainstream such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming).

Biologically Based Practices (BBP)

BBP are derived from elements and materials which are found naturally such as vitamins for supplements, healthy foods for well being & detoxification and herbs helping with everything from pain relief to stress & weight loss. Biologically based practices in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer).

Manipulative and Body-Based Practices (MBBP)

MBBP work by manipulation, pressure and rubbing of soft tissues and muscles aimed at promoting repair, better health & flexibility. These type of therapy work by removing scar tissue, promoting oxygen flow and helping the removal of toxins and acids.

A number are further examples of therapies which are becoming less and less alternative and more mainstream. These include Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Massage & other body work such as Shiatsu and Sports Massage.

Energy Medicine Therapies (EMT)

EMT are believed to help the patient by tapping into the energy fields which cloak the human body and restoring balance, improving energy flow and clearing blockages. Examples of these type of therapies are Reiki, Chinese Medicine and Energy Healing.

So, why the growth in CAMs? Well, in recent years patients have gradually taken more accountability & responsibility for their health and are not as happy as maybe they once were to be told what to do or how to live. As a result they are becoming more autonomous and seeking out their own alternatives and solutions.

It is important to note they don’t side step mainstream traditional medicine but seek help from CAMs to complement their treatment. Part of the reason for this empowerment is the growth of the internet and the ease of access to swathes of information, research, forums and feedback available at a click on the World Wide Web. Recent research has shown that over 60% of internet users use the web to provide answers on health related issues.

In addition to the ground swell of the general public embracing CAMs, areas of traditional medicine are adopting and recommending alternative therapies. The NHS now has as 5 hospitals offering CAMs for patients and more and more health professionals such as doctors, nurses and mid wives are training in alternative therapies to offer within their mainstream practice.



By: Shaun Parker

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The numbers of those choosing to pursue treatment from alternative medicine practitioners seem to be on the increase as disdain grows with the existing medical methods of treatment. This is especially apparent in the United States although the trend has crossed the pond and is now becoming evident within the UK. Why this trend has occurred is unclear, but an overall dissatisfaction with Western medicine seems to be the primary cause; another reason why this growth in alternative medicine has occurred in the UK could be the large waiting lists for treatments.

A recent survey revealed that almost a third of people have chosen to use alternative medicine treatments. The survey was conducted with over thirty thousand people and can be considered the largest ever survey of its type revealing the extent of non conventional treatment usage. The results generally gave the impression that the use of alternative medicine was increasing, in comparison to other studies the trend was plain to see across the board.

Out of the alternative treatments used, prayer was the most popular with almost forty three percent of adults following this course. Although this is not a bona fide treatment it does reveal that people are increasingly turning away from conventional medicine. Other treatments have become popular such as natural medicines which took nineteen percent of the survey. More spiritualist forms of treatment such as meditation have also seen a sharp increase in the past few years. Understandably in a world of pressure to stay in shape diets such as Atkins and Zone have also seen an increase in usage.

Of the bona fide alternative treatments used it is herbal and natural medicine that has become the most popular. These types of treatment have mainly been used to treat recurring ailments where conventional medicine has failed to solve the problem. These conditions are the hardest to treat conventionally and hence the public is increasingly turning to herbal treatments that give relief. Doctors are worried by this news however; patients are now making decisions on how to treat their ailments and turning away from proven techniques. The conventional techniques are proven to be safe and while alternative methods may work, longer studies into their benefits and side effects have not been undertaken extensively.

Another reason for the growth in use of alternative medicine is due to the high prices of drugs, especially those on prescription. It was thirteen percent of people who gave this reason for their avoidance of regular treatments. In many cases herbal treatments are in fact cheaper and although they may not be scientifically proven many are still choosing to take the alternative route. Once again, concerns over the safety of patients is the doctors’ major response claiming that even though these medicines are natural, it does not necessarily make them safe.

These downsides can be negated however, fundamental whenever choosing to use alternative medicine is to undertake research into the product and any side effects that may be apparent. In addition it is advisable to find a practitioner who is not only knowledgeable on all of their products but also trustworthy with the patients’ health as their major concern.

Overall the survey reveals the trend that alternative medicine is becoming an evermore popular option for patients. In addition to the cost of regular medicines and disdain with regular treatments, another fundamental reason is peoples’ fears that the extensive use of anti-biotics can lead to degeneration of the immune system. Whether these fears are founded is as yet unclear but regardless it is still helping the cause of non-conventional practitioners. Whatever the reasons for this increased popularity, seemingly it will continue as more people choose follow this course of action when it comes to medical treatment.



By: Thomas Pretty

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Alternative Medicine: The Evidence Series Professor Kathy Sykes from Bristol University – shows acupuncture has a powerful and measurable effect on the human brain. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), as it is now known, was for thousands of years the only medicine available to us. However these traditional cures are now being treated with a whole new respect by the medical profession. Presented by Professor Kathy Sykes, this series produced by the BBC in conjunction with the Open …

For more and more people for whom traditional medicine has not produced the desired results or for those who consciously select to follow complementary and alternative medicine practices in comparison to traditional health ones, alternative remedies have come to the rescue. In fact, according to multiple studies, an outstanding one in three of all adults in the US (34%) has used some kind of complementary / alternative therapy in the past year.

For the other two individuals who have not decided yet to try any therapy that belongs to this type of health practice, or are not sure if they have done so in the past, it is important to understanding what complementary and alternative therapy is and why people select to use it.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), complementary and alternative medicine is defined as “a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.” But although these types of alternative practices are not taught in medical schools or implemented by certified physicians, the highest use of complementary and alternative medicine was reported by people between 25 and 49 years of age who had relatively more education and higher incomes.

Even more overwhelming is the fact that the vast majority (83%) of those who have used one or more unconventional therapy methods for serious medical conditions also sought treatment for the same health problems from a medical doctor although 72 percent of the survey respondents did not inform their medical doctors that they had done so. Why are people afraid to admit the obvious? Is in fact complementary and alternative medicine a “sin?”

The underlying philosophy of these approaches greatly differs from conventional medicine. In general, complementary and alternative therapies are based on the body’s innate ability to heal itself. By using natural methods instead of complicated conventional medical procedures, alternative health practitioners provide their healing services to those who seek to explore an unconventional therapy in addition to whatever their medical doctors have subscribed, advised or performed.

Moreover, since complementary and alternative medicine’s goal is to create optimum health, it focuses on preventing disease and helping someone feel better overall. In fact, it looks at the underlying cause of the problem and addresses the issue at hand from every perspective and not just by examining the symptoms of ill health. The most well-known healing therapies belonging to the complementary and alternative medicine practice are: chiropractic, aromatherapy, massage, mind-body therapies such as deep breathing exercises and meditation, energy therapies, Yoga, traditional Chinese medicine and practices, like the age-old practice of acupuncture, homeopathy and diet therapies based on the use of herbs and nutritional supplements.

If you have never tried complementary and alternative medicine, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to indulge yourself with a massage session or keep your dietary habits in control. Simple practices will let you enjoy a precious healthy status for years to come.



By: Jonathon Hardcastle

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Healthcare in the western world is experiencing a major shift in how people want to be treated and the treatments they choose to undertake. Seemingly patients are increasingly open to the idea of pursuing alternative medicine rather than the medical practises of established medicine. But what is behind this shift? Why are patients choosing alternative medicine over the regular variety and what implications will this have on not only the medical profession but also society more generally?

One of the most touted reasons for the increased use of alternative medicine is the increased cost of regular treatments. While in this country we have a nationalised healthcare system, in many countries around the world medical expenses are a major concern. This is why all over the western world; those who have to pay for medical treatment are choosing the alternative route instead of the conventional one.

The reason for this increase in cost is not due to medical staff receiving more money but instead a rise in the costs of supplies and operation. That said, the end result is the same, patients have to pay more for their treatments and understandably utilising alternative forms of treatment that prove to cheaper has become popular, especially when used over a long period of time.

Even countries that use a system of personal insurance to pay for medicine and treatments are experiencing this shift towards alternative medicine. The shift is a result of the fact that for minor afflictions and problems many policies are not paying out; as the patient then has to pay for their drugs, seeking alternative and cheaper forms of treatment is wholly understandable. As long as insurers refuse to pick up the tabs for patient’s bills, alternative practitioners will experience the financial benefits as people head to them in droves.

It may even reach the point where alternative medicine becomes the predominant form of treatment. Courses of naturopathy, hypnotherapy, yoga and chiropractic treatment are becoming evermore popular and challenging drugs and surgery as the primary means of treatment for a number of disorders. Doctors are already experiencing a downturn in patient numbers as they head instead to the alternative practitioners.

While this does not in itself worry doctors who are under high levels of stress already, one consequence is patients not telling their doctors of the treatments they have had for fear of disapproval. Understandably doctors want the entire picture of a patient’s past treatments, alternative or regular to work out a suitable course of action.

As peoples’ faith in western medicine clearly diminishes, alternative medicines are becoming popular for the relief they offer. This has worried doctors somewhat due to the fact that without a professional medical opinion it is easy to diagnose symptoms incorrectly resulting in patients undergoing treatments they do not need that could in fact harm their chances of recovery. The era of self diagnosis seems to be upon us, the ramifications of this have not yet been ascertained but if the fears of doctors are realised, a great deal of subsequent health problems may arise in the future.

The internet has played its own part in this rise of alternative medicine. As an information resource it is unrivalled but the questions remain over the quality of said information. If people continue to self-diagnose, the health implications could be great. Overall however if you are looking into using alternative medicine it is advisable to take a mixed approach. The knowledge of your doctor should not be ignored and is a far greater resource than the internet. By using this advice and finding a practitioner who is both knowledgeable and trustworthy is key to finding a healthy balance between existing treatments and alternative therapies.



By: Thomas Pretty

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