complementary medicine

A growing number of people have become interested in alternative medicine to treat illnesses. Alternative medicine as a practice has created a significant amount of controversy both inside and outside the traditional medical field. Alternative medicine refers to a treatment or substance that is unproven under the application or accepted scientific standards. The most common types of alternative medicine include herbs
supplements
therapies and activities that are outside traditional medical practice. Some of these raise questions about their safety and effectiveness.

Acupuncture
massage
meditation
herbal tea
and plant extracts are popular among devotees of alternative medicine
but many traditional doctors believe these treatments are ineffective or even dangerous. Alternative medicine has become increasingly popular as more people face the aches
pains
and illnesses that accompany aging. In some cases
individuals have not obtained a cure with traditional medical approaches and turn to other options to treat their illness. In still other cases
people feel very strongly that natural methods of treatment are better than traditional medicine
so they look for answers from alternative practitioners instead of the family doctor.

There are risks associated with alternative medicine. Some of the risks arise through the use of untested
ineffective
and even unsafe substances. The manufacturers of these substances sometimes exaggerate the claims of their effectiveness. They may misrepresent the science related to the material to convince consumers to buy the product
even if its use can endanger a person’s health.

Some herbal remedies are advertised as being able to improve memory
raise metabolism
or cure cancer and heart disease. In reality
the remedies may cause harm if taken at high doses. Another risk is that someone with a serious disease like cancer will not receive traditional and proven treatments
preferring to use alternative methods that may not be effective. In these cases
people are risking their lives. Sometimes
patients may be using alternative treatments
but not telling their doctors about them. This can lead to dangerous drug interactions. If a traditional doctor is unaware of the substance a patient is taking
medications that produce harmful interactions may be unknowingly prescribed.

It is possible to recognize potentially risky alternative treatment. If a treatment sounds too good to be true
it probably is. While this is a clich้
it is often very true in situations involving alternative medicines. Be careful of products labeled ‘miraculous’ or ‘ancient remedy.’ If you are thinking about treatments such as acupuncture or reflexology
check the qualifications of the practitioner before being treated. Ask about the training received
and research the treatment to determine if it has been scientifically tested and found to be effective.

It’s a good idea to ask your doctor about an alternative treatment you are considering. Trained medical professionals have the experience and education to help you make safe decisions about your health.