While many Americans often look to Western medicine as their primary form of health care, more and more people suffering from common illnesses such as migraines, back pain, high blood pressure and anxiety are turning to what is known as alternative medicine. Even if you’ve never heard this term, you probably know someone who is seeing a chiropractor or has tried acupuncture; Both are forms of alternative medicine Rapé. Continue reading to learn more about these treatments, what they can and cannot do for you.
What is alternative medicine?
Alternative medicine is a type of medicine that is used as a complement to traditional medicine. Contrary to Western medicine practices, alternative medicine practices tend to rely on natural remedies such as herbs, and focus on mind-body practices rather than pharmaceutical medications for treatments. Although these practices are not the most recognized in the United States, some alternative treatments have existed for thousands of years. If you come from a traditional Mexican or Latin household and used herbs, teas, and other natural products from the nearby botanical store, you are already using alternative medicine!
Different types of alternative medicine
A 2012 study found that chiropractors, natural products, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques are the most popular alternative medicine services Americans use.
Chiropractor
More than 22 million Americans visit a chiropractor every year. Chiropractors provide body adjustments to help align the spine and other parts of the body. Many people associate chiropractors with “cracking your back,” but chiropractic treatments can include massage, heat, ice, and gentle exercises.
Some traditional doctors have raised concerns about the effectiveness of chiropractic treatments, but studies indicate that the treatment can be effective for back pain, neck pain, and reducing the frequency of headaches. Many chiropractic practices have reviews on Yelp, with pages and pages of positive comments from patients who claim to have received life-changing benefits.
Natural medicine
For thousands of years, people around the world have consumed natural products such as cranberry, ginseng, and garlic in pills, powder, or tea for medicinal reasons. Today, millions of people in the world use these products for high blood pressure, high sugar and cholesterol. Drinking black, green or oolong tea regularly has also shown healthy benefits such as lowering blood pressure or giving more energy.
Acupuncture
You’ve probably seen people with needles in their bodies on TV, and you’re wondering what benefits that can have. This is acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, with which specialists insert very thin needles into the person’s skin to level the life energy or “qi” of the body.
Research has shown that people who regularly see an acupuncturist have complained less about lower back pain, knee pain, migraines, and tension headaches. If you’re wondering if it hurts, some patients say they feel a slight sting, sting, or tingling sensation when the needles are being inserted. But in most cases, the pain disappears quickly.
Relaxation methods
Another popular alternative medicine practice is the use of relaxation techniques, such as Tai chi, Qigong and hypnotherapy.
Tai chi is a Chinese martial art practice that many people exercise to help them with their meditation, lower their blood pressure, and reduce their stress.
Qigong is a recognized practice for the mind, spirit and body similar to Tai chi. Studies have shown that the practice is likely to treat osteoporosis, but more studies are needed.
Hypnotherapy is a method through which the hypnotherapist guides the patient through a trance-like state to provide treatments for anxiety, phobias, drug abuse and sleep problems.