Increasing numbers of Americans are trying almost anything to get well and feel well – including goldenseal pills, reflexology, magnets, imaging, and hypnosis. It seems traditional medicine's views are changing, too, with healthcare providers beginning to incorporate non-traditional medical modalities in the treatment of disease.
To quote from an American Consumers League brochure, "Never before has there been such a provocative and promising mix of traditional and nontraditional medicine. Many health authorities are genuinely excited about the merging of traditional Western medicine, the ancient treatments of Eastern cultures, and emerging therapies."
Common Terms
Many terms are used to describe healthcare that is outside the realm of allopathic medicine as conventionally practiced in the United States. Some are derogatory: unproven, irregular, quackery. Some are hopeful or supportive: natural, wholistic. Others are neutral: non-traditional, unconventional. Included in this last group are the terms alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine.
Some conventional physicians practice integrative medicine, which combines mainstream medical therapies with other therapies that have substantial, high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. For example, a doctor might recommend an antidepressant and counseling for someone with symptoms of mild depression. Instead of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a doctor might suggest St. Johns wort. Numerous studies list guidelines for use, warnings, and side effects of this herb.
While alternative medicine and complementary medicine both use natural remedies, such as herbs or acupuncture, they are different from one another. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has defined them:
- Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. For example, someone might use acupuncture to manage pain following surgery.
- Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. In this case, someone might treat their cancer with a special diet, instead of with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
5 Categories
There are five major types of alternative or complementary therapies, according to NCCAM.
1. Alternative Medical Systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years).
2. Mind-Body Interventions use a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered out of the mainstream in the past have become mainstream (for example, cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered alternative or complementary, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
3. Biologically Based Therapies use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, herbal products, and the use of other natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using Cats Claw to treat sinus congestion).
4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Examples include chiropractic manipulation and massage.
5. Energy Therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:
- Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.
- Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct current fields.
Mainstream medicine is hesitant to incorporate a new treatment modality into standard practice without substantial, large-scale, high-quality scientific evidence of its safety and effectiveness. When the weight of evidence clearly indicates a particular method of treatment works well and is at least as safe as other accepted treatments, the non-conventional method goes mainstream. Examples include recommending regular exercise for health, the use of folic acid supplements to prevent certain birth defects, and patient support groups for emotional wellbeing.
Larger numbers of health care providers recommend alternative therapies such as yoga or massage, but many seem hesitant to prescribe an herb in place of a proven pharmaceutical. It should be noted, though, that pharmaceuticals have side effects. Many are minimal or rare. Some don't show up immediately. As soon as a serious risk is associated with a drug therapy, its use is discontinued and an alternative is sought.
When it was determined that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) presents serious health risks that outweigh the benefits of use, the scientific community began looking at black cohosh, red clover, hops, don guai, flax seed, and dietary soy as alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms.
How to Decide
Some natural treatments have been effectively used for centuries. But in most cases, no scientific studies have been conducted. Not all alternative treatments work, and a few are outright dangerous. Just because a particular product or treatment has a claim made about it, it doesn't make it so.
It's best to talk with your healthcare team before using any non-traditional product, technology, or treatment. You might want to get a second opinion. Legitimate healthcare providers would not be offended by such a request.
Let each healthcare provider know all the prescriptions, vitamins, and herbs that you're taking. Dangerous drug interactions can happen between drugs and herbs just as they can between various prescription medicines.
Beware of advice that recommends a huge amount of vitamins or minerals as a treatment. Be skeptical of unproven alternative therapies and unrealistic claims. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Certain physical conditions make alternative treatments dangerous. For example, people with osteoporosis must be extremely careful with massage therapy because of their thin bones.
Ask Questions
Ask as many questions as you can about an unconventional treatment or therapy you're considering. Research the effectiveness of the treatment. Here are some questions you might want to ask:
- What does the treatment involve?
- How long has this treatment or therapy been in use?
- What benefits can be expected from this therapy?
- What are the risks associated with this therapy?
- Do the known benefits outweigh the risks?
- What side effects can be expected?
- Why does it work?
- Have any studies been done on this treatment?
- Why does the provider think it will work for you?
- How much does it cost?
- Will the therapy be covered by your health insurance? (many are not)
- What is the duration for the treatment?
- Will the therapy interfere with conventional treatment?
- Is the provider willing to work with your primary physician?
- Is this therapy part of a clinical trial? If so, who is sponsoring the trial?
If you choose to go the alternative or complementary medicine route, make sure the provider you choose is reputable. Contact the appropriate licensing board, check out the provider's credentials, and talk to patients who've received the particular therapy you're considering. |
