So first of all, what exactly is alternative medicine? To me it is the use of health care approaches to replace conventional medicine. These types of approaches could include chiropractic, naturopathy, and homeopathy, among others. For example, this could mean using herbs instead of prescription drugs, or visiting a chiropractor or homeopath instead of your family MD.

I wish I had used alternative medicine earlier instead of relying only on my doctor and medicine. When I was about 14 I injured my knee. The knee cap was knocked off the regular groove and was stuck on the side of my leg. It took a cortisone shot and a good yank by the doctor to get it back on track. Ever since that day I have had a floating knee cap. I suppose that surgery is inevitable, but I have been seeing a chiropractor as well as physical therapist to keep the muscles strong enough to keep it in place. I developed arthritis in that knee and need cortisone shots to relieve the pain. I also take glucosamine to help replace the cartilage and condroiton that claims to keep the joint flexible. I think a combination of tradition medicine supplemented with alternative medicine is working for my knee.

When my two oldest children were young, we lived in a tropical climate. The children got sores on their gums and were unable to eat for some time. I took them to the doctor and they were diagnosed with thrush. The doctor gave them some treatments but they were not getting better at all. I was worried they might die. I took them back several times to the doctors because they were unable to eat, sleep and I also was missing my sleep. I finally had them taken to a local witch doctor that put some noni, burned coconut and other herbs on the babies’ gums. It made them scream in pain, but within a few hours you could already see that it was getting better.

I believe that in certain circumstances alternative medicine can work better than traditional medicine. This is because of my experiences. I think they can complement one another and support each other. I think the general attitude towards alternative medicine is changing to a more positive one. I think those who provide alternative medicine see themselves as facilitators in regards to a person’s physical and mental well being. If the patient believes in the treatment, and has seen an improvement, they are more likely to continue. There is sort of a stigma about taking multiple medications as well as the cost and possible interactions.

If massage helps a person to de-stress, I think it is a good treatment, rather than wait until it becomes an emergency where they need multiple medications.  Chiropractic adjustments can also keep the body in optimal alignment so it can function properly. Many medical doctors think it is a waste of time and money, but they have no answers when you have a back ache or constant headaches without ordering plenty of tests and experimenting with different drugs. I believe it is best to try the noninvasive and alternative medicine and treatments first and then if they do not work, the patient then can go to his physician. I think other methods should be tried before surgery is done.