Jan 21, 2011

How Alternative Medicine Fits into Today’s Society

Think you don’t know what alternative medicine is?  It’s more common than you think, and now has a firm place in the world today.  Certain therapies not formerly thought of as legitimate medical treatments are now being used on a more frequent basis to treat a variety of ailments, quite often with endorsement from the medical community.  Some of the more common types of alternative medicine treatments include:

•    Massage therapy
•    Aromatherapy
•    Hydrotherapy
•    Acupuncture
•    Herbal Remedies
•    Meditation
•    Spiritual therapy

More than likely, you are familiar with many of these treatments; maybe you have even experienced a few yourself.  Many of these treatments are not only used to treat many common health problems, but are used by people all over the world in order to achieve total well-being.

For thousands of years, the treatments deemed alternative today were standard practice.  And now, people seem to be turning to these optional therapies when they are in a health crisis, or if they feel they have nowhere else to turn.

There are factions of people throughout the world who prefer to take advantage of the natural effects that alternative medicines and therapies offer, rather than depend on synthetic drugs to cure or prevent ailments.  Herbal medication have the benefit of being completely organic, or from the earth, and often provide equivalent remedies to prescription drugs.

Alternative medicines and treatments have become part of the fabric of our society today.  While many of these therapies are meant to be used as a treatment for a health problem, some are used by people as simply a method of relaxation or reward.  Chief among them is massage therapy.  Massage has become incorporated into the routines of many individuals in today’s society as a means of stress reduction, rather than pain relief.

Meditation is another form of alternative medicine that has become an integral part of many lives in today’s society.  With its roots steeped in ancient spiritual history, meditation acts like massage in that it provides a release for stress and anxiety.  In order to perform mediation correctly, though, you should learn as much as you can about it first.  Many people enjoy this type of alternative therapy a great deal because of the personal control they have when performing it.  Many individuals in today’s society highly recommend meditation as a type of alternative medicine.

The stresses of today’s society have led some to cry out for change.  Many find solace and healing in alternative medicine treatments.  The natural treatments and calming effects of many of them are exactly what many people have been searching for in order to reduce their stress.  The average person is forced to deal with a large amount of stress on a daily basis.  Alternative medicine and treatments bring relief to the stresses and anxiety that people of today’s society feel weighed down by.

In today’s society, we see a great deal of stress, anxiety, and illnesses.  Alternative medicine provides a viable option to traditional medicine that aids people in the maintenance of their well-being in their busy lives.  Massage therapy and meditation are two common treatments that people can turn to, that can also have a positive effect on today’s society as a whole.  As we move forward in society, you will continue to see a shift towards more acceptance of alternative medicine and therapy.

Identifying The Different Forms Of Herbal Medicine

Although there are a lot of positive things to be said when it comes to herbal medicine, is still an undeniable fact however that what we proof we have is not yet enough to make taking herbal medicine completely safe.

Hence, when you’re about to try out herbal medicine please make sure to check with your doctor first if what you’re doing wouldn’t be harmful to your body. Secondly, it’s better to be able to identify the different forms of herbal medicine so you’d know if what you’re taking is the real thing or not.

Essence - This is also one of the most popular forms that herbal medicine takes. Herbs in essential oils are processed through cold pressing or steam distillation. This form of herbal medicine is popular because a lot of people prefer to enjoy massages with the use of essential oils because it supposedly helps them relax more easily.

Pills and Capsules - People who violently resist the idea of taking herbal medicine in its raw form may find other products of herbal medicine in the form of pills and capsules. Herbal medicine is ground into powder to take this particular form. Usually, with this form of herbal medicine, the medicinal purpose is general and not meant to be a specific cure. Ampalaya capsules, for example, are taken simply to help improve your diabetes.

Infusions - This process involves the delicate parts of a plant like its leaves, seeds and fruits. The process simply takes several minutes to finish.

Poultice - There are some situations that require patients to take herbal medicine in the form of poultice. In this case, the herbs are macerated or chopped into tiny pieces and are then directly applied to the skin. After this, a hot, moist bandage is used to cover the area.

Raw - It’s like going back to the primitive past when you’re required to take this particular form of herbal medicine. Not only is the process somewhat undesirable, the taste of it leaves nothing to be desired as well. Many healthcare professionals, however, advise people to steep these raw herbs into tea because it’s said to release its healing powers effectively.

Tinctures - Herbal medicine in liquid form.

Decoctions - This process involves the extraction of certain parts of a plant like the berries, roots and herb-bark. This process usually takes 45 minutes till an hour and a half.

And now that we’re done with the list of forms of herbal medicine, we do hope that you benefit greatly from whatever herbal medicine product you’re taking!

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Alternative Medicine

If you have rheumatoid arthritis you may have often thought about seeking an alternative health practitioner, but have not known how to approach the matter. You may be considering alternative medicine now for your arthritis, because you have been treated unsuccessfully for years by conventional medicine.

Having been treated for rheumatoid arthritis over a lengthy period your condition may be rather advanced, that is not to say that alternative medicine would be unable to treat it, but rather the treatment would be slow and steady in order to avoid any aggravation of your arthritis.

Unfortunately patients often expect fast results from their chosen alternative practitioner, however, this will most certainly not be the case, for years of taking prescription drugs will have more than likely left you in a debiliated condition.Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with prescription drugs fails to treat the cause of your disease, it only treats symptoms, this results in suppression, and you spend the rest of your life with intermittent flare-ups and exacerbations of your disease with no cure ever in sight.

Rheumatoid arthritis is considered to be an auto-immune disease, with an unknown cause. This diagnosis rather absolves you of all responsibility for your disease, having received your diagnosis you then proceed unquestioningly to commence a regime of potent drugs for your rheumatoid arthritis without doing any research on the disease yourself.

Have you ever asked why your immune system has decided to attack you, rather than protect you? If you gave this some serious thought you might decide to make some lifestyle changes in order to help your immune system regain it's innate intelligence. You may ask what lifestyle changes you might have to make in order to regain your health. Basically there really is only one change, and that is your diet. The answer is simple, eat fresh organic fruits and vegetables, eliminate fast foods, highly processed foods, aspartame, MSG, saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, cigarettes, alcohol, diet sodas, and all other sodas.

If you would prefer to keep your rheumatoid arthritis, your junk diet and prescription drugs then that's your choice and you will undoubtedly pay for your choice with lifelong sickness. However, if you make the effort to change your diet you will reap the benefits, and you will be richly rewarded with vibrant health.