Alternative And Complementary Treatments For Obesity, Diabetes, And More

Alternative and complementary medicine are of such interest to the medical establishment that the National Institutes of Health has an whole agency allocated to scientific research into non-conventional treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) uses technical research to explore complementary and alternative curative techniques, including natural treatments plus other practices mentioned below.

The phrase alternative medicine refers to health care techniques that are used instead of mainstream medicine. For illustration, making use of a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing radiation and chemotherapy is alternative medication. Complementary medicine is not the same as alternative medicine. Complementary medication is used together with mainstream medication. Using nutritional supplements for diabetes in addition to conventional medical treatment is an example of complementary medication.

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a range of medical systems. Eastern cultures have used long-established Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and acupuncture for centuries. Homeopathic medication and naturopathic medication are very recent alternative medical practices.

Mind-body medication utilizes techniques such as meditation, art, mental healing, and dance to enhance the mind’s ability to affect the functioning and healing of the body. Clinical depression may responds well to these techniques.

Food supplements, herbs, and vitamins are natural remedies used in complementary and alternative therapies. For illustration, research shows that leaves and flowers of the hawthorn tree are safe and effective for treating mild heart failure. Flaxseed oil can be used to treat arthritis, while ginger decreases pregnancy-related queasiness and vomiting. NCCAM continues to research the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease.

Chiropractic, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulation involve moving certain parts of the body to re-set alignment, relax the body, and support curing ability. Energy medicine uses invisible energy fields for healing. Reiki, therapeutic touch, and the utilization of electromagnetic fields are examples of energy medicine. Reiki is a 20th century Japanese healing art in which the practitioner places his or her hands just above the body of the individual being treated. In addition to promoting overall health and well being, Reiki can give relief from the side effects of mainstream medical remedies such as radiation and chemotherapy.

NCCAM finances studies on complementary and alternative approaches to obesity and weightloss. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the USA, touching kids as well as grownups. Many health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, that had formerly been seen mostly in grownups have now become common in kids and adolescents. The complexity of obesity warrants a multi-faceted line of attack to deterrent and treatment.

The NCCAM urges those who are using complementary, alternative, and natural treatments to tell their doctors. Doctors need to have knowledge about other remedies because of possible conflicts with traditional therapies. As an illustration, certain natural remedies interact with prescribe medicines and can produce unwanted sides effects.

There is another reason to talk about complementary and alternative treatments with MD’s. Increasingly, MD’s educated in conventional medication understand the healing power of other approaches. A lot of them are knowledgeable about complementary and alternative therapies and willing to work with patients who are interested in using natural remedies and treatments and other non-mainstream ways of curing.