(as published in the Syracuse Post Standard, June 21, 2011)
Many migraine sufferers and patients with back pain choose acupuncture to relieve their pain. Breast cancer patients are finding improved outcomes from meditation as they go through chemotherapy. Both acupuncture and meditation are considered “complementary” therapies, as are yoga, reiki, therapeutic massage and similar therapies. They don’t replace traditional medical treatment – they supplement it.
You might take echinacea to help fight a cold, or glucosamine to relieve knee pain. These and other herbal supplements like ginseng or fish oil are considered “alternative” remedies, and are sometimes chosen in place of pharmaceutical drugs your doctor might prescribe.
Of course, most of us who choose complementary or alternative therapies do so without our doctors knowing about it. In fact, when we visit the doctor and are asked what medicines we have been taking, some of us intentionally withhold that information. We don’t want our doctors to be upset with us.
That can be problematic and may even be unnecessary. More and more doctors are recommending certain CAM (complementary and alternative) treatments for their patients. Some medical practices are evolving into “integrative” practices where treatments are proposed based on what they believe will be helpful, regardless of whether it’s considered traditional medicine, or CAM.
Integrative medicine combines the best of both worlds of treatment approaches. If a CAM therapy can be useful, it may be recommended. But pharmaceutical drugs and surgeries will be options, too.
We patients don’t really care what a therapy is called or who developed it. We just want something that works. Unfortunately, not enough of our Western, traditionally trained doctors know enough about Eastern, complementary and alternative therapies and therefore won’t recommend them. Further, the doctors who know the least may be very vocal and intimidating about their disdain for the ones we might like to try.
If you have interest in CAM therapies and are in search of a new doctor, be sure to inquire about a doctor’s willingness to discuss or prescribe the types of therapies you are interested in as you make your first appointment.
If you like the doctor you have now but so far he has been unwilling to discuss integrative therapies, then ask if he will partner with you to learn more about them. If he says no, then it may be time to find a new doctor, one who is willing to explore possibilities for improving your health through integrative care.
………. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON THIS TOPIC ………………
Why Won’t Health Insurance Pay for CAM?
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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