Evidence & Effectiveness
Based on the clinical trails, alternative medicine’s effectiveness varies differently and greatly in their own ways. These practices have proven the effectiveness of various clinical techniques that includes specific herbals therapies, acupuncture, while others like homeopathy and some more, are not likely supported openly and make the treatments more controversial (Saint Paul, 2011).
Each country is having different laws and regulations governing the use of alternative medicines. Some requires proper certifications or educational documentation to prescribe the medications. The inclusion of traditional medicine is promoted by the World Health Organization that has evidence. After assurement of effectiveness, another main issue is the Safety. Some alternative therapies are safe for the individuals, but some are risky for the health, even if used properly. For example, herbal products may create issue with prescription medications or can affect badly with adverse responses. Moreover, it is also not for to safe to postpone the traditional therapies by choosing untested alternatives, specially when the condition is severe, like cancer or clot (Demos, 2007).
Benefits and positive results of alternative medicine:
- Improved mental and physical health
- Chronic pain relief
- Holistic and personal carePreventative Health
- Preventative Health
Safety risks, limitations or concerns:
- No Scientific proof
- Improper training and Practice
- Delayed treatments
- Drug interactions of herbs
The combination of alternative and traditional techniques in Integrative medicine, has increased the popularity in the current years. The normal medical care clinics and hospitals are highly providing the therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, and medication, that can help individuals to get some peace in life. According to the surveys, mostly public is interested in holistic and natural therapies or treatments. Reflection on insurance, it is the one main obstacle in the completion of integration. The access to many alternative medicines is not largely available, if they are not sure. In addition, sometimes schools also play roles to provide little instructions on the prescription of alternative medicines, which hesitates the medical professionals. Alternative practitioners constantly do research into healthcare systems to avoid the obstacles coming in the way of alternative medicines (Boston, 2014).
Common Practices:
A wide variety of treatments are combined in Alternative medicine. The widely useable and well-known therapies and treatments are:
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Herbal medicine:- When the plant is used in medicines and herbs extracts for medicinal reasons is called herbal medicine. The herbs such as turmeric, echinacea, and ginseng are used commonly to balance inflammation and boost immune system.
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Acupuncture:- It is a TCM technique that is basically of putting small needles to the specific body areas to improve health system and to get relief from pain. It is used for the chronic pain, arthritis, and migraines.
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Homeopathy:- It is a system that can administrate the highly diluted variations of drugs that can generate symptoms in a healthy person.
Chiropractic Care:- It mainly focuses on the musculoskeletal health and spinal alignment. Moreover, particularly, in terms of back pain and neck, it modifies or reshape the spine to enhance body function and reduce pain or discomfort. -
Naturopathy:- It is a technique to provide a care in such a way that improve the individual’s natural healing ability. In addition, it is a mixture of natural remedies like nutrition counselling, detoxification, hydrotherapy, and homeopathy with today’s medical science by the doctors (Thousand Oaks C. S., 2011-2017).