Alternative Medicines – Should You Try It

A lot of us, especially in India turn to Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) when standard medicines prove ineffective at reducing pain or curing diseases. These treatments are generally cheaper than regular treatment, and some are in demand as they don’t have side-effects, while others are sought for their affordable treatment cost. However, this integrated treatment is generally not covered by health insurance providers, for the simple reason that it’s not regulated by an organization.

But a few years ago, IRDA regulation suggested that health insurance companies should provide cover for non –allopathic and alternate methods of treatment. To popularize the use of natural methods in treatment, the Government of India also formed the Ministry of AYUSH an abbreviation for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Sidda, Homeopath and few other alternative medicines systems in November 2014.

Here’s all you need to know about these relatively old methods of treatment.

Why You Should Go For It?

Holistic treatment is the call of the day. While allopathic treatment concentrates on physical wellness, the role of alternative medicine is to address mental and spiritual needs of a patient.Several studies have suggested that alternative medicine can be highly beneficial and works as a coping mechanism for patients suffering or recovering from terminal illness such as cancer, liver sclerosis etc.

Many use it alongside modern treatments to improve the latter’s effectiveness, and to reduce side-effects. More and more people opt for alternative treatment today because of its holistic nature. Still others seek these as a means to increase their consciousness and spirituality.

Art and music therapies, mindfulness are used to decrease the symptoms of depression and even critical illness,by stimulating the release of endorphins and opiates by natural methods.

Here are Different Types of Alternative Medicines

1. Acupressure

Practitioners use their hands, feet, and elbows to put pressure on and stimulate certain points in the body to soothe pain and give relief from chronic aches. They believe that meridians—or pressure joints—hold the key to your vitality, and create unbalance when blocked. Some chemotherapy patients are encouraged by modern physicians to take up acupressure to avoid nausea after radiation therapy.

2. Acupuncture

This traditional Chinese technique uses thin needles to stimulate specific points on body, depending upon the condition being treated. Expert practitioners use these thin needles to penetrate your skin.

Acupuncture is believed to revitalise your energy and health holistically. It helps in relieving chronic pain like headache, back pain, osteoarthritis. People who are conscious about their health and fitness frequently use acupuncture sessions to relieve muscle tension.

3. Reflexology

The science of reflexology is based on the theory that specific points on the human body correspond to different organs. By effectively massaging these points, you can unblock the meridians of the organs associated with those points.

For instance, to optimise the functioning of your bladder, massaging the arch of your foot would help. People seek reflexology to minimise the symptoms of cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, or asthma.

4. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is used to enhance psychological and physiological wellbeing using essential oils extracted from flowers, roots, leaves, bark, stem, or any other part of the plant. They are recommended to help you reduce pain, enhance your mood, and stimulate cognitive function. Therapy may involve inhaling essential oils, or massaging them onto your skin.

Each oil has a specific purpose in this alternative practice, which promotes relaxation and reduces pain, anxiety, and depression.

5. Chiropractic

This is a therapy often suggested by doctors to complement regular treatment. Chiropractic massage therapy focuses on the disorders of musculoskeletal system and nervous systems. Chiropractors apply controlled pressure on the affected area, and perform ‘adjustments’ to restore vitality and mobility.

They generally help you heal the head, joints, legs, neck, back, and other parts prone to inflammation and hypo-mobility (or fixation). Chiropractic helps you loosen muscles and ease pain to improve physical function.

6. Homeopathy

The alternative medicinal therapy of homeopathy was discovered almost 200 years ago by a German doctor who thought like would cure like. It’s recognised by the WHO as the second largest therapeutic system in the world.

Homeopathy uses your body’s innate healing powers to cure your illnesses and increase well-being. It is supposed to heal you spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally without leaving any side-effects.

7. Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a comprehensive series of treatment techniques like nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, behavioral changes, and acupuncture.

Practitioners are trained in both traditional and western forms of healing to detect and understand the disorder in its physical, mental, and spiritual manifestations. This technique has a holistic approach towards healing your body.

8. Reiki

Reiki is a form of energy healing in which the practitioners heals the patient by transferring life force energy. If you’ve been plagued by sickness and stress, this therapy might help you relax and recover faster.

Reiki treats the whole body, instead of targeting one specific disorder or condition. It is also used in conjunction with other treatments to aid recovery and address side effects.

Dealing with Alternative Medicine Bills

Despite proven effectiveness of alternative medicines in treatment, several health insurance agencies do not offer health cover for it. In order to get cover for alternative medicine bills, patients should visit a Government hospital or centres recognized by Quality council of India and National Accreditation Board of Health to receive treatment.

To get the most out of alternative health care, its best to opt for a healthy balance of traditional and complementary alternative medicine.