Do you prefer eastern medical treatment for example acupuncture or western medical treatment by drugs?
613311
I definitely prefer the eastern mentality towards healthcare: prevention and not treatment of the symptoms. I have not needed much healthcare, but have had acupuncture on several occasions, and it has definitely worked on me. Of course western medicine has also it's advantages and in emergency cases, medicines and invasive operation have saved many lives.  I only wish more emphasis were given on a healthy lifestyle, less stress, better eating habits, more excercise, to prevent many diseases from starting in the first place.  And I find it shameful of the Pharmaceutical Companies that they invent pills for every conceivable ill under the sun. This dependence on pills is just disastrous. Who knows what all these chemicals will do to our bodies in the long run.
978443
Traditional health care tends to treat the problem or symptom...not the cause. For example, if you are vomiting, you typically get prescribed something for the vomiting...not what is causing it. Maybe you are stressed and it is affecting your digestive system. The vomiting medication is treating the symptom...not the cause. \n\nTraditional doctors are quick to prescribe a pill, but not so quick to provide lifestyle advice. Of course, that is also the fault of the patient. Westerners have come to expect a pill to cure everything. We almost feel cheated if we don't walk out of the doctor's office without at least one or two prescriptions.\n\nOf course, when it comes to trauma or other types of major surgery, traditional medicine is the best.\n\nMany alternative therapies take a more "whole person" approach. They look at different aspects of your life that affect your health and make changes at that level.\n\nOne plus for traditional health care is that interventions have been intensively studied and refined. Unfortunately, traditional physicians are given very little training in alternative therapies and what is worse, they can even be sanctioned for recommending alternative therapies.\n\nA big negative is that traditional health care has become way too influenced by pharmacies. Another big negative is managed care. It breaks down health care into numbers. For instance, there are specific number of days you are supposed to be in the hospital for each ailment. Patient care has become very dehumanized.\n\nThe problem with discussing alternative therapies is that there are so many that fall under that general category. Some are very effective and some are sham. Therefore, you have to evaluate each one separately. Because research on these therapies is limited, you often have to go with your gut, so to speak.
88514
yes.but a little bit care is to be taken while using.\nfor some deises it is more preferable than other medicines.\nit is more famous in india.
755865
no, sorry..\nmedicine is only practiced in what is to be presumed a comassionate, yet ethical and moral way..\n\nif society as a whole could all walk into a doctors office and ask for oxycodone or morpheine for a stubbed toe or headache, we would be walking around with a society full of junkies...\ncertain meds have been tested and proven effective for specific disorders and afflictions, so those are what are acceptable and prescribed..
729372
Traditional health care  uses treatments that are scrutinized using the scientific method, whereas alternative therapies rarely are.\n\nIf you are prescribed a drug by a doctor, that drug has undergone a lot of testing to show that (1) it works and (2) it isn't too dangerous (although all drugs have side effects)  In addition, pharmaceutical companies are monitored so that you can be sure what is supposed to be in the drug is actually there, and in the amount specified.\n\nHerbal therapies rarely undergo any testing, and the purported benefits are anecdotal.  Ever heard of the placebo effect?  Granted, a lot of herbs DO have medicinal properties, but when used as "supplements", they are not subjected to the same tight standards that pharmaceutical products are.  Studies have shown that some herbal preparations contain less than half of what they are supposed to have, while others had many times the alleged amount.\n\nWith regard to the more bizarre alternative therapies, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that ear candling or cupping isn't going to cure anything.  It might make you "feel better" (again, refer to placebo effect), but there is no science behind it.\n\nScience is why traditional medicine keeps changing.  We are constantly learning new things, and adjusting our practice accordingly.
259402
It's the science of treating medical conditions with the use of drugs.  (As opposed to surgery or psychotherapy or physical therapy...)
400540
I think that your best option is to present both options to your patient. Present the medicines to them and tell them that there are side effects and how likely the effects are to occur and to what extent etc... then present the homopathic remedies that you know without a doubt are safe. If you are not 100% sure then it is not safe to present those options. Then have open dialoge with your patient and let them decide which option is best while still reserving the right to change their mind and try the other treatment if their chosen treatment isn't working to their satisfaction.
174599
You mean like acupuncture, reflexology, Shiat-su (spelling?), teas and herbs, etc? \nThat should help.
645401
I am a homeopath, and I would have any patient of mine do the allopathic treatment.  I would treat the patient as well, but emphasize that they must complete their course of antibiotics as prescribed, even though it's quite a long one.
655019
If your talking about overall, health benefits, yes.  \nHowever, this is based mostly on anecdotle experiences from people who had practised tai chi for health purposes.  While there has been considerable research conducted in China showing the health benefits of tai chi, I am not aware of any large-scale, rigorous studies conducted in the U.S.  Nevertheless, it is common for acupuncturists to prescribe either qi gong, or tai chi exercises, to accompany a patient's regular treatments.\n\nIf performed correctly, tai chi will facilitate the movement and flow of the life-force energy chi, or qi, in the human body.  There are 12 pathways, or meridians, in which chi circulates through, affecting the adjacent and surround organs, muscles, and tissues.  The movement and breath involved in tai chi, helps to unblock and clear any obstructions in these pathways, thereby ensuring health and overall well being.  If performed correctly, it is common to feel chi in the hands during practice, either in the form of a pulsating, heating, or electrical sensation.
206407
Yes!  First, you should go to your medical doctor and ask for a diagnosis.  Your M.D. might zone in on your gallbladder or liver.   If you don't have an emergency situation, then look for a qualified acupuncturist or practitioner of Chinese medicine (acupuncture is one part of Chinese medicine, which also includes herbs, massage, and more).\n\nAdditional Info:\nI couldn't find the link at the World Health Organization's Website, but the first link below gives the list of conditions treatable with acupuncture.  Digestive disorders are among them.  Go and get the tests done, but don't delay in finding yourself a qualified pracitioner of Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine.  I have included a link to NCCAOM where you can search for a therapist.
455857
This is something I've never heard of before...but, the human body is amazing in that everything is connected. Could be. If it is true, then I would recommend acupuncture to deal with it.
395284
I do, and as soon as I got treatment it helped me so much.\nI went to a doctor and he started to give me different medications.\nI don't like taking medications simply b/c I think our culture in America is too medication dependant. However, as soon as I found one that worked, I stuck with it.
116067
My theory is that what we call modern medicine ( pharmaceuticals ) are the REAL "Alternative Medicine" ... Herbs, accupuncture, vitamins, minerals and healthy diet are ORIGINAL medicine .... You might check into the NNFA about the main contraversies regarding what most people call alternative medicine
760394
I am an MD. The practice of medicine is largely an analysis of risk versus benefit. There are always risks with every intervention, and hopefully there are benefits or potential benefits to the same intervention. We never recommend an intervention unless the benefits outweigh the risks. One example might be that a patient of mine recently strained his back, and then asked me to prescibe high doses of adrenocorticosteroid for him. I told him that I did not think the benefits outweigh the risks in this instance. We tried some more conservative treatments and he did fine. On the other hand, another patient of mine was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a bone marrow cancer. In his case high dose adrenocorticosteroids were just the ticket. I hope this helps.
321123
When your only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.  Drugs are the only tool most medical doctors have for treating patients.  If they can't write a 'script' they do not know what to do.\n\nA recent editorial in the British Medical Journal (one of the top medical journals in the world) discussed a study that looked at the treatment recommendations that are considered 'standard' for 221 medical conditions.  The editors were literally 'shocked' to discover that every single one of the conditions included as 'standard recommendations for proper treatment' at least one drug! \n\nSimply, medicine today has literally gotten into a corner where it functions as if every disease is 'caused by a drug deficiency'.  Note: this is 'easy medicine'.  It works nicely into a 10 minute office visit which culminates with a prescription and a $125 charge.  Real medicine takes a lot more time and a lot more knowledge (and makes a lot less money).\n\nYou might want to consider seeing a Chiropractor or Naturopathic Physician or a medical doctor (small 'caps' are intentional) that is trained in Functional Medicine.  Real 'doctors' work with their patients to find and treat the cause of problems and do not resort to masking symptoms with drugs.\nBest wishes.
322492
My mother and my friend both had this malady around the same time.  (An amazing coincidence.)  But Mum had acupuncture and then electrical stimulation of the facial muscles, while my friend just waited for it to pass. My mother's face was perfect in less than a year, but my friend still has a sagging lip and runny eye.  So I think treatment is a better way to go.  All the best.