|
  |
|
|
Complementary and Alternative Therapies - Making an Informed Choice
There is no doubt that many recoil at the thought of conventional treatments and invasive surgery due to the risks involved, turning instead to alternative therapies that may help. However when considering such therapies, it is crucial that the consumer is able to make an informed choice through accurate and reliable information. The recent controversy and debate surrounding the side effects of alternative therapies calls for a sensible approach when choosing a treatment, therapy or practitioner. This article does not condone or condemn any particular approach but aims to add clarity to the debate by providing definitions of commonly used terms, and suggests questions you should ask and information that you need so that you can make an informed choice. COMMON DEFINITIONS ORTHODOX TREATMENTS are generally widely practiced and prescribed by the medical establishment including GP’s and medical specialists. They have normally been clinically tested on thousands of patients with both benefits and side effects being well known. ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES are used instead of conventional treatments. Other terms of reference may include unproven, integrative, holistic, unconventional or non-traditional treatments. They may claim to stop progression or cure disease. There is generally no proof that they work as most have not been scientifically tested, and side effects are not always well known. COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES are generally used alongside conventional treatments and unlikely to cause any harm. They are often used to relieve pain, manage side effects and enhance general wellbeing. These could include counselling, massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga and meditation. INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE is the growing area of integrating holistic and complementary approaches to healthcare with conventional medicine pursing whole person care. QUESTIONS TO ASK ¨ What is the suggested therapy and how will it help?
¨ What are all the potential risks and side effects?
¨ What are the practitioners qualifications?
¨ What experience does the practitioner have in treating my specific disease or disorder and what have the results been?
¨ How many people have had this treatment? Can I speak with them?
¨ Has the therapy been tested in clinical trials?
¨ Have the findings been published? Can I read them?
¨ What is the cost? Is it affordable?
¨ Can this therapy be combined with my conventional treatment?
¨ How long should I have the therapy and how will I know it’s working? WHEN TO BE CONCERNED ¨ If a claim is made to cure all diseases.
¨ If you are told to stop conventional treatments.
¨ If it costs a lot of money
¨ If the practitioner has no qualifications.
¨ If the practitioner cannot back up their claims.
¨ If the ingredients of a treatment cannot be provided. Use your intuition, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always inform your general practitioner, specialist or pharmacist of any additional treatments including vitamins in case there are contraindications or dangers involved when combining therapies. For example, certain herbs can increase the effects of antidepressant drugs, or prevent heart medications from working. By being informed and taking a sensible approach to your health care, you can proceed with treatments in the safest possible way. Here’s to good health…..
|
|
 |
|
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Complementary and Alternative Therapies - Making an Informed Choice" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
|
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
