Best Natural Treatments For You

Have you ever wondered the treatments for some diseases way back the ancient times? They don’t have the modern medicines which we could easily buy over the counter. What do you think the people of the old days do? Here are some of the most famous alternative treatments dug up from our history. It is still being practiced today. You might want to experience some of these.

Acupuncture
Do you want to experience a bit of Chinese alternative medicine practice? For some, this might be for the brave. Can you imagine yourself being inserted by thin needles? If you are not intimidated by the procedure, go ahead and try it.

Ayurveda
If you are someone who would like to be one with nature, I would suggest that you try Ayurveda. They believe that balance is the key to have a well body. There are 2 objectives of this method. One, it aims to protect one’s health. Second, it tries to decrease the diseases and other dysfunctions that one is experiencing.

Herbal Medicines
Those who are scared to take ‘modern medicines’ might want to try the old – fashioned herbal medicines. Some people are actually afraid of taking modern medicines because they think that it is filled with chemicals. Hence, they look for the more ‘natural’ ones. I can’t see anything bad if one wishes to have herbal medicines. Just make sure that you know how to properly prepare it. Otherwise, it can be dangerous for you as well.

Hypnosis
OK, so you think that this is a big joke. It really isn’t. You see, hypnosis is also a form of alternative treatment. They call this Hypnotherapy. It is commonly used when a mother is about to give birth. They use it in order to decrease anxiety or pain. However, these are not for everyone. If you are not willing to participate in this method, you might want to consider other alternative treatments.

Massage
Good news to those who always go to massage centers or spas. Generally, massage involves pressing of muscles and other soft tissues. If you are having troubles with your back, go for a massage. But of course, we are not saying that everyone should engage into these. Some people experience discomfort after having massage sessions.

I would still recommend that you consult your doctor before having one of these alternative treatments. At least you will know if it is cohesive with your current health plan. Viamedic website is a source where you can get medicines even at the comfort of your own homes.

Acupuncture is actually a gentle way to treat, despite the needles

Cheryl Truman of the Lexington Herald-Leader takes a look at acupuncture, an alternative form of medicine with practitioners across the state. "It's a really gentle form of medicine, even though there's needles," said Kathleen Fluhart, a nurse who first heard about acupuncture in the 1970s. "It just made sense."

There are 362 places on the body "where an acupuncturist can insert a needle to balance the flow of xi, or body energy, which in Chinese medicine flows in meridians throughout the body," Truman reports. Acupuncture can help treat sinus infections, allergies, fatigue and other side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, tendinitis and plantar fascilitis.

Treatment centers like Houston's University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Boston's Dana Farber Institute both offer acupuncture treatment to cancer patients. "It's not a cure-all, but it is so amazing for certain things," said Elizabeth Armstrong, who practiced internal medicine for 17 years before becoming trained, and opening a practice in, acupuncture. (Read more)

Acupuncture Is Popular with Patients but Insurance Does Not Cover It

From the NYTimes:

Because her insurer did not cover acupuncture, Ms. Kumar had to pay for the $70 weekly treatments she hoped would put her cycle on a more normal schedule.

Acupuncture remains a largely out-of-pocket form of health care. Sessions with an acupuncturist run about $65 to $120, depending on where you live (and some leading acupuncturists charge as much as $300). Most ailments require at least three treatments, while some chronic issues like arthritis might require biweekly or monthly sessions, depending on the situation.

In a 2007 survey, 3.1 million adults reported using acupuncture in the previous 12 months, up from 2.1 million in a 2002 survey.

References:

Patient Money - Acupuncture May Help, but You’ll Need to Pay - NYTimes.com.

Acupuncture can spread serious diseases: bacterial infections, hepatitis B and C, even HIV
Does traditional Chinese medicine have a place in the health system? http://goo.gl/RH04o

Image source: Needles being inserted into a patient's skin, Wikipedia, public domain.

Acupuncture can spread serious diseases: bacterial infections, hepatitis B and C, even HIV

To prevent infections transmitted by acupuncture, infection control measures should be implemented, such as use of disposable needles, skin disinfection procedures and aseptic techniques.

Acupuncture may be risky as needles are inserted up to several centimeters beneath the skin. In the 1970s and 1980s most infections associated with acupuncture were sporadic cases involving pyogenic bacteria.

There is a new syndrome - acupuncture mycobacteriosis - infection caused by mycobacteria that rapidly grow around the acupuncture insertion point as a result of contaminated cotton wool swabs, towels and hot-pack covers. There is a long incubation period and the infection usually leads to large abscesses and ulcers.

References:

Acupuncture transmitted infections. BMJ 2010;340:c1268.

Acupuncture can spread serious diseases: experts. Reuters.
Does traditional Chinese medicine have a place in the health system? http://goo.gl/RH04o

Image source: Needles being inserted into a patient's skin, Wikipedia, public domain.