Alternative Therapy For Menopause - and Perimenopause

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the use of synthetic or natural
female hormones to make up for the decline or lack of natural hormones
manufactured in a woman's body. HRT is sometimes referred to as
estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), because the first medications that
were used in the 1960s for female hormone replacement were estrogen
compounds.
Alternative therapy for menopause became popular due to the kinds of
risks associated with HRT and ERT.

Advocates assert the use of all natural treatments that are very safe
and effective, especially when compared to HRT and ERT.

These include the use of proper vitamins and minerals, eating and
exercise, and a regular use of 100% natural plant based supplements to
reduce or eliminate hot flashes, night sweats, and other kinds of
symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause.

Alternative therapy for menopause requires a regular effort and
vigilance to be effective.

Half measures won't do. Women who limit their intake of fats and
salts, increase their use of fresh fruits and vegetables, cut out
smoking, and who drink only in moderation represent the hallmark
definition of alternative therapy for menopause.
In addition, finding the perfect supplement to augment these efforts
is an extremely important component of alternative therapy for
menopause.

Many willtake for granted that 100% natural plant derivative or herbal
menopause supplements are free of side effects, especially dangerous
side effects. This of course is just not true. Dangerous poisons and
toxins are also "natural," and it cannot be assumed that "natural"
automatically means safe.

The most recent research indicatesthat the phytonutrients found in
flax seed and flax seed derivatives are extremely effective at
treating common menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night
sweats and mood swings.

Encapsulated SDG lignans are an all natural plant based menopause
treatment supplement and would be a main ingredient in a safe
alternative therapy for menopause.

Alternative Therapies To Help With Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are quite a common condition and something that many
people will suffer from. Conventional medicine offers a number of over
the counter remedies that will treat the symptoms but will not really
address the cause of the problem. For that reason alternative
therapies may be able to offer you the solution you are looking for.
In this article we are going to consider what haemorrhoids are and
also alternative therapies that could be of real benefit to treating
them.
What are Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids is a condition where the veins around and inside the
bottom become swollen and can suffer bleeding. People who suffer from
them can have itching in the bottom area as well as pain in the same
area especially when sitting down. You could also suffer pain while
passing stools and also see blood on the toilet tissue or in your
stools. Many people find that if they treat the symptoms the
haemorrhoids will clear up on their own. However if you want to speed
up the process then you may want to try some alternative therapies to
help.

Alternative Therapies for Haemorrhoids

There are a lot of therapies that people will claim are useful for
haemorrhoids however some of them are better than others. We have put
together some details of the most effective alternative therapies for
haemorrhoids and some information about how they can help:

1. Herbal Medicine - this is one of the oldest forms of medicine and
there is a lot of documented evidence to suggest they can help
haemorrhoids. In addition they have the added benefit of being easily
available from pharmacies and health food stores. Some of the herbs
that are thought to have a direct effect on haemorrhoids include witch
hazel, butcher's broom, horse chestnut and Japanese pagoda tree. It is
thought that herbs can not only offer your relief from your symptoms
but can also help to clear up the haemorrhoids when used correctly.
2. Acupuncture - this is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that
works on energy flow, meridians and acu-points in the body. By
stimulating the correct points with needles then energy can flow
freely around the body and bring it back to health. Although in the
western world we may not understand acupuncture a number of studies
have looked at its effectiveness on haemorrhoids. The results have
been so promising that it has been endorsed by the World Health
Organisation as a treatment for haemorrhoids so is definitely worth
considering.

3. Homeopathy - this is relatively controversial particularly
considering the fact that it will no longer be available on the NHS.
However a lot of people have experienced significant help from
homeopathy and so could be worth trying. It works by prescribing
medicines that contain elements that cause a condition to help fight
it which is the complete opposite to the way conventional medicine
works.

Conclusion

There are a large number of alternative therapies out there and so it
is important to find one that works for you. We have put a list
together of ones we believe to be effective that does not mean there
are not others. If you are going to use alternative therapies then it
is important to do your research on how the therapy works. It is also
a very good idea to do your research on a practitioner and make sure
they have the relevant qualifications and experience to treat your
condition.

Alternative Therapies for Fibromyalgia: Myofascial Release & Massage

There are many alternative therapies for Fibromyalgia and each
individual may be affected differently by each therapy. A therapy
that works well for one may not benefit another as much or at all. It
is important to know what is available to you that can help better
your quality of life and help you manage your pain.
I have tried several different therapies and there are a few that
really helped and one in particular, was a life-saver! My hope is
that you can find a therapy that you can add to your conventional
treatment and gain freedom of movement and freedom from the stress and
depression that are caused by Fibromyalgia.

Integrative Medicine: The idea was developed to help medical and
other health professionals to expand their practices by and
integrating accessible effective Complementary/Alternative Medicine
(CAM) protocols for the treatment of their patients. This would bring
patients more complete care and give them all the help that is
available to improve their overall health. Some of the therapies
included are: Energy Therapies (including CMU Technology), Herbs and
Supplements, Nutrition, Lifestyle Strategies, Biochemical Approaches
and Structural, Movement and Mind-Body Therapies.

In this article, I will cover two structural, movement and mind-body
therapies: Myofascial Release Therapy & Massage Therapy.

Massage therapy helps with Fibromyalgia because it gently works on the
soft tissues (muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments). Massage
increases circulation of blood to tight, sore muscles & increases
muscle tone. It is sometimes used in conjunction with ultrasound or
with the application of heat and/or cold packs. Massage is also often
helpful in removing built-up toxins such as lactic acid, and to help
re-educate muscles and joints that have become misaligned.
Massage also helps the movement of lymphatic fluid (removes body
wastes, toxins, pathogens), to release muscular tension, maintain
proper musculoskeletal structure and function, internal organs, the
central nervous system, the immune system, the endocrine system,
mind/body integration, and energy flow to promote healing and
emotional well-being.

Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique that
provides sustained pressure into myofascial knots to eliminate pain
and restore motion. To understand what Myofascial Release is and why
it works, you need to know what fascia is. Fascia is a thin tissue
that covers all the organs of the body. It is actually one structure
that exists from head to foot without disconnection. Myofascial
Release treats taut bands in the muscle by releasing the uneven
tightness in injured fascia. I was treated with the John Barnes method
of Myofascial Release after a car accident that inflamed my
Fibromyalgia symptoms and led to the discovery of myofascial trigger
points. Even if you do not have Chronic Myofascial Pain, you can
still benefit greatly from this therapy.

There are many more alternative therapy options out there and I will
continue to provide information about them in hopes of giving you and
your doctor the ability to make an informed decision about what
therapies might work for you.

Alternative Therapy In Health And Medicine

Alternative medicine is a term used for various medical solutions or
practices of curing or preventing a particular ailment by physicians
or non-physicians, as an additional to or apart from the conventional
medicine. It is projected that a little over 33% of the United States
population are practicing some form of alternative medicine that is
mainly included of remedies derived from several different types of
traditional and ethnic therapies.
Those therapies have diverse practice and/ or product based guidelines
that are not a part of conventional or the usual medical practices.
This alternative implementation include meditation, acupuncture,
prayer, herbal or botanical supplements, chiropractors, massage
therapy and other natural medicines.

Alternative Medicine typically have practices like metaphysical,
spiritual, religious and non-European medical treatments and other new
techniques that are developed for healing various diseases. The
promoter of Alternative Medicine claim that alternative therapies give
services to public that are otherwise impossible through conventional
medicines. This covers parts ranging from patient empowerment,
providing medical treatments based on bio-psycho-social model of
individual health, alternative methods for pain management and stress
reduction etc.--these are usually not included under conventional
medication.
The other usual features that differentiate Alternative Medicine from
Conventional medicines are presented below:

-Alternative Medicine is considering the physical, social, spiritual
and mental well being of an individual while providing treatments,
whereas conventional medicines are aimed only towards the physical
arena of an individual.
-Alternative Medicine stresses on health maintenance by following idea
of a healthy living like healthy diet, regular exercise, positive
outlook, body hygiene, moral and spiritual values, sexuality, social
relations etc. Thus the individual is kept aware about maintenance of
overall health- including the inner self.

-Alternative Medicine has a quaint philosophy of its own, with
inexpensive ways of treatment and diagnosis, and tries to stay away
from the unnecessary surgical and diagnostic interferences as far as
possible and does not involve intake of strong pills to a great
extent.

-Alternative Medicine has no side-effect or is substanced only minimal
side-effects

-Alternative Medicine is the only traditional system of medical
treatment for certain particular diseases such as degenerative
diseases, collagen disorder, problem related to joints and bones and
psychosomatic disorders for which there are not much alternatives
available in conventional or contemporary medicine.

More and more people nowadays are health conscious. Some even try
alternative therapy in health and medicine just to achieve the healthy
body they desire. Well, that scenario just proved that health is
really a wealth.

Healthy living comes when good diet and health program is considered.
Physical fitness depends on your diet. Proper diet will result to
fitness. When it comes to health diet fitness programs these three
elements are going to keep you on the road to healthy living with a
good diet and a regular fitness program.

Purchasing and Promoting an Alternative Therapies Small business - Useful Suggestions!

Do you've a wish to be self-employed and also a passion for Option
Therapies? If so, you could possibly be trying to buy an Alternative
Therapies small business. This type of business can offer significant
perform flexibility, wide variety and income opportunities. Shopping
for an Option Therapies enterprise may well be a perfect alternative
to suit your needs.
Must I start out a brand new organization or get an established small
business or franchise?

If you are starting a brand new Option Therapies business from
scratch, it obviously calls for greater than just a notion and
funding. To be profitable, you will need to create brand recognition,
possess a sound small business program, a great location, additionally
considerably far more. While beginning a brand new company may be
useful and profitable, you might determine that shopping for an
existing business or franchise has a lot more positive aspects to
supply. When generating these decisions, you'll need to consider quite
a few factors to improve your chance of results and also to minimise
the threat of failure.

When acquiring an enterprise that is certainly already known and it
has customers, you've got a benefit and may not have to outlay as
considerably funds on start-up costs since people today are already
conscious the small business exists. It could also offer location
rewards and existing workers with expertise, information and knowledge
to assist operate the enterprise if you take more than.

There are many points to take into consideration when exploring
corporations available for sale and ahead of generating any last
decisions to purchase a company. This involves conducting the
important due diligence and looking for professional assistance from
company valuation experts to set up the current value of the small
business. Typically, due diligence on organizations available for
purchase is conducted by accountants and attorneys to look at the
monetary and legal matters.

Promoting an Alternative Therapies business - why need to I consider
buying your business?

Folks buy positive aspects, not features. When you finally realize
this fundamental concept, the entire artwork of attracting and selling
a prospective buyer tends to make additional sense. Your prospective
buyer wants to know how to recover their expenditure and commence
generating dollars quickly. So, you will really need to display
them...
How quite a few shoppers you have on your database

How much income they devote

Why your buyers retain returning

And what your earnings margins are

You need much more men and women to consider recognize of your advertisement...

Your advertisement needs to possess a persuasive headline. Imagine
studying a newspaper without any headlines... you basically wouldn't
study it... would you? Study reveals 80% of prospective buyers only
study the headline. When they do not study the headline, they will not
read the rest of your ad. Your headline requires communicating to your
prospect using a benefit they recognise instantaneously. Your headline
wants to make a promise towards the reader, and when attainable make
use of a picture of yourself or your company in operation. People take
a look at photos ahead of them look at headlines.

You'll need far more men and women to read your advertisement till the
finish...

Use brief sentences, it is the way in which we talk and it keeps
people's interest. Use daring print and sub headlines where proper,
you will find it retains men and women studying your material towards
the really finish. Explain the advantages of your company for your
potential buyer, not just the features. Show folks why they really
should get your company and never somebody else's. Use bullet factors
to highlight the benefits of why your company is such a superb buy.

Holistic, Alternate Therapies

Alternative therapies can be holistic, dealing in a person's physical
and emotional well-being or complementary and focus equally on
preventing health problems.
Chelation therapy
Chelation therapy is a process involving the use of chelating agents
to remove (clawing out) heavy metals and waste metabolites from the
body. It detoxifies, improves metabolic function and blood flow
through blocked arteries throughout the body. The opened-up vessels in
heart may substitute for bypass surgery and angioplasty and
rejuvenates the heart; for the brain prevents strokes, improves
memory; improves joint pains, intermittent claudication; improves
vision especially noticed in diabetics and generally improves by
reducing oxidative stress. Intravenous adminstration procedures give
better results than oral route adminstration.

Osteopathy, Chiropractic and Craniosacral therapy
• Osteopathy emphasises on the inter-relationship of the body's
nerves, muscles and bones.
• The chiropractic views the spine as the backbone of human health.
• Craniosacral alignment of the spine deals in correcting its displaced parts.
• Treatment is through manipulation or adjustment of the spine, from
skull till the end of the spine.

Energy therapy (Reiki, Pranic healing, Faith healing)

Pranic Healing
Pranic healing is the transfer of subtle energy from one person to
another. Prana is a Sanskrit word literally meaning 'life-force' the
invisible bio-energy or vital energy that keeps the body alive and
maintains a state of good health. In pranic healing, cure is affected
by simply removing diseased energies from the patient's invisible
energy body and transferring fresh vital energy (prana) to the
affected areas with the use of hands.
Reiki
It is a form of spiritual healing for the treatment of physical,
emotional and mental diseases. The practitioners of Reiki believe that
diseases are a
matter of the life force being disrupted. A channel of energy ("Ki")
guided by a universal spirit or spiritual nature ("Rei") flows through
their palms to heal a person wherever it may need healing. Reiki heals
by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charging
them with positive energy and allowing the life force to flow in a
healthy and natural way.

Healing Touch Therapy
Healing touch is a specific type of touch therapy that has been used
to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. Healing touch has
been proved to reduce stress and help with pain management. The
relaxation and stress relief brought about by healing touch therapy
may stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms. The therapy uses
a gentle hand motion either on or above the skin to 'smooth' the
body's energy field. Often, the patients relax so completely that they
fall asleep.

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine

Just because the media doesn't think favourably about alternative
therapies in health and medicine (why would they, they depend
enormously on revenue gained from drug advertisements), doesn't mean
to say that they are not hugely successful in the areas they treat.
Take homeopathy. Did you know that homeopathy can heal poisonous snake
bites? And cataracts? And cancer?

Well, to be strictly honest, homeopathy doesn't do the healing. It
frees those blockages within you, so that you can heal yourself. It
does this by treating you, not the disease you have. This is unique in
health and medicine, let alone alternative therapies in health and
medicine.

Few people are aware of the enormous scope homeopathy has. It's kept
well hidden by vicious media attacks. This is totally understandable
when you realise that homeopathy is low cost. That anyone can do a lot
of good using a few common remedies at home, without knowing very
much.

This is a huge threat to the lucrative profits of the big
pharmaceutical industry.

But does it help you?

Let's look at a few examples.

A woman was suffering from a cerebral stroke and in a coma. After a
month of futile treatments, doctors declared her case as hopeless.

Luckily for her, a homeopath was brought in.

Her unique symptoms before and during the stroke were taken.
She was given a common homeopathic remedy, one which is found in all
first aid kits for home prescribing, regularly. Within two days she
was moving her eyes, blinking and made efforts to speak. After one
week she talking, moving her neck and asking for food. Within one
month she walking with support. Shortly after,
Let's look at another case.

A newly trained hospital doctor was given the job of overseeing the
hopeless cases of hepatitis C. With little to do and an open mind, he
began searching for something outside the scope of medicine, something
perhaps within the scope of alternative therapies in health and
medicine.

He discovered that alpha lipoic acid (an antioxidant) was a great
healer for toxic livers. After giving his patients this supplement,
they all recovered.

Sadly his colleagues couldn't afford this to come out, as it
threatened their careers and their reputations.
Ref Dr. Berskson's book 'The Alpha Lipoic Acid Breakthrough'

Yet another case showing how thorough practitioners have to be when
using alternative therapies in health and medicine.

A young medical student was taken seriously ill suddenly. She visited
doctor after doctor. She was prescribed everything from antibiotics to
antidepressants and everything in between. Not one doctor asked her
what had changed in her life just prior to becoming sick.

Eventually she worked it out for herself. Since starting at
university, her diet had changed from good home cooking to eating hot
dogs on the run. Once she eliminated the hot dogs and their sodium
nitrate preservative from her diet, she fully regained her health.

Take control of your own health. Look beyond your comfort zone for
health care and nutrition. Have an open mind. You'll be amazed at how
healthy you can become.

Migraine Alternative Therapy As Great Option In Taking Care Of Migraine

Migraine is one problem that affects many individuals today.  Headache pains caused by this problem can absolutely make people defocused in doing their daily tasks.  It's a problematic condition that can cause people to look for ideal solutions that will help in taking care of this problem especially since they can occur on a regular basis.  Just like other medications for different conditions, migraine also has to help them treat this issue without taking usual medications.  Among the most common alternative treatment for this problem includes acupuncture and biofeedback.  Even chiropractic treatment can also be helpful in dealing with migraine problems among people.  The main focus of these migraine alternative therapyoptions includes taking care of stress in order minimize the symptoms of migraine attacks. The good thing about this alternative treatment is it's helpful or people with migraine problems of all ages.
Acupuncture is one migraine alternative therapy that has been known for years.  Ancient Chinese medicine use needles in order to alleviate various medical problems including migraine headaches.  They believed that it has the ability to increase energy while removing things that may cause its flow to be disrupted within the body.  By putting things in balance, the body will receive utmost health and without the need to take in prescription medicines.  The only problem with this option is the fact that other people may incur allergic reactions with the use of needles.  Chiropractic treatment utilizes massage in order to take care of pain problems.  On this approach, it aims to promote good blood flow within the body.
The good thing about these migraine alternative therapy options is they can go well with other alternative choices in order to be more effective.  For instance, aromatherapy is among the top alternatives chosen by people.  Just like other approaches, it also has the ability to relieve stress, which is among the causes of migraine.  Diet change can also be helpful in taking care of migraine.  Migraine headaches can also be triggered by different food like those with caffeine found in coffee.  Using these alternative options can also be a great help for migraine therapy without too much side effects.

Alternative Therapies For Bronchial asthma Therapy -- Biofeedback Holds Guarantee

Are there powerful alternative therapies for bronchial asthma? Several research workers believe biofeedback holds promise as a way to help asthma attack individuals.
What is biofeedback all about? It requires measuring a person's system processes like center rate, blood strain, galvanic skin response, etc and delivering this data to the person in actual time. This creates awareness of these processes and in turn, can support the individual acquire conscious handle more than associated system functions. 

For instance, scientists have proven that a person can consciously effect his heartbeat. In simple fact, some research at the Nationwide Institutes for Health have indicated that patients can be trained even to reduce their blood pressure. 

Biofeedback instruction is component of what is known as complementary and Alternative Therapies medicine (CAM). It was Dr. Neal Miller, a neuroscientist at Yale who initial mentioned that it is achievable to exert conscious regulate more than automatic entire body features. The scientific and healthcare establishment of the time scoffed at his statement and held that such issues are difficult.
Nonetheless, subsequent study by a number of groups has proven that regulate above unconscious entire body functions is indeed possible. Numerous people have found relief from migraine utilizing biofeedback teaching. Some researchers are studying the possibility of using biofeedback as the primary treatment for higher blood pressure issues. 

How does biofeedback apply to asthma?

In the course of an bronchial asthma attack, the muscle tissues around the airways are inflamed and contracted. If these muscle tissues can be relaxed, air would flow much more freely into the lungs and the distressing symptoms of bronchial asthma would be alleviated. Biofeedback techniques train the patient to accomplish just that. 
inhaling and exhaling patterns. The Society for Applied Psychotherapy and Biofeedback says that 'barrel breathing' is a single these kinds of pattern. This is when the asthmatic takes in a deep breath and then doesn't totally breathe out. Instead, they take many shallow in and out breaths without having emptying their lungs totally. 

As a result, their lungs can't be refilled with fresh air because they never empty completely when inhaling and exhaling out. 

Making use of a method referred to as pneumographic biofeedback, asthma attack sufferers find out to recognize their altered center rates that occur in the course of barrel deep breathing. And they find out to alter their breathing pattern to reduced their cardiovascular rate as nicely as increase oxygen intake. 

Some studies have concluded that this kind of biofeedback cure not only lowered the signs and symptoms of bronchial asthma but also brought down lung inflammation and resistance to regular inhaling and exhaling. The center beat variability biorhythm treatment has also resulted in lowered medication use and greater pulmonary function. 

The National Institutes of Health advices bronchial asthma individuals who desire to use biofeedback instruction to perform with a competent trainer and to maintain their medical doctor entirely informed. The latter is crucial simply because asthma attack sufferers ought to be monitored on a regular basis and medicine may possibly will need to be adjusted from time to time. 

How Alternative Therapies for ADD and ADHD Are Helping Children and Adults

Alternative therapies for ADD and ADHD are gaining in popularity, especially as parents better understand the potential dangers associated with the medications that have traditionally been prescribed to treat these conditions. If you know anything about Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall, you know that in many instances, these prescription drugs can do more harm than good. It's even possible that these types of drugs have addictive qualities. Unfortunately, they get more attention than alternative therapies for ADD and ADHD and proven natural remedies that have been shown to help with these conditions.
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are characterized by an inability to focus attention, a tendency to become bored easily, an inability to control impulses in the case of ADHD, hyperactivity. ADD and ADHD are common in children, especially boys, and among other problems, these conditions hinder the development of relationships with teachers, parents and even other children.

Several alternative therapies for ADD and ADHD are available, but one in particular that has been proven to be of benefit contains these all-natural remedies for add and adhd:

Ginkgo Biloba, an herb, which has many uses but when used to treat ADD and ADHD it helps improve the body's circulatory system. This in turn increases the amount of blood that flows to the brain.

Skullcap or Scuttellaria Laterifolia is an anti-spasmotic and a nerve tonic. It contains flavonoids, tannins, bitter, minerals and volatile oils that work to alleviate symptoms of depression as well as reduce excitability levels.
Centella Asiatica, which is also known as Gotu Cola is effective at improving concentration and the ability to concentrate for longer periods. It accomplishes these tasks by revving up the nervous system and the brain.

Hawer which also is known as Avina Sativa (or Green Oats), and in particular its flavonoids, minerals, vitamins D, E, B1 and B2, saponins, alkaloids, wheat protein, carotene and steroidal compounds is an effective nerve tonic that helps remedy nerve exhaustion. 
German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) has a calming effect and helps reduce nervous tension.
Other ingredients found in this comprehensive natural formula include Aspalathus linearis (also know as Rooibos), and Urtica urens. Rooibos works on what more and more people are beginning to understand as a main trigger of ADD/ADHD and that is a nutritional imbalance. This imbalance causes a significant fluctuation in blood sugars. When blood sugar levels are not maintained, the imbalance brings on symptoms such as mood swings, an inability to concentrate, general irritability and restlessness. To function properly, the nervous system needs the minerals magnesium, iron and zinc.

Rooibos supplies these minerals when the diet doesn't. Rooibos also help improve the functioning of the liver so that toxins are more effectively removed. Rooibos also promotes a calming affect. Finally, this ingredient helps strengthen the immune system and that in turn helps strengthen a child's tolerance to foods that cause allergies.

Alternative Therapies for Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the situation in which, thyroid gland is underactive. The thyroid gland is responsible for the metabolism in the body. This important gland is situated at the middle of the neck at front side. Disturbance in the metabolism affects the entire body system and therefore, this disease is to be controlled as soon as possible. There are couple of ways to keep thyroid gland in normal state with normal functioning. Apart from the supplement of the thyroid hormones, some of the alternative therapies, which can keep thyroid gland healthy and can keep thyroid hormones within normal level.
Diet is what comes first in mind as safe method to treat and to control any disease including hypothyroidism. If you restrict your diet from the beginning, it will not only prevent all the diseases but will also keep thyroid gland healthy and to function normally. Foods that depress the thyroid glands' activity should be avoided. The food such as soy, beans, cauliflowers, cabbage, broccoli, mustard greens etc can depress thyroid activity one or the other way.

One should also avoid refined foods, sugar and dairy product in abandon. Give up wheat, caffeine and alcohol when you are suffering from hypothyroidism. The food that is to be taken is essential fatty acids. Take 1000 to 15000 mg of essential fatty acids three times a day. This helps the thyroid to produce normal level of thyroid hormones.
It is proven by researches that vitamin C, vitamin B complex, vitamin A and vitamin E are very beneficial for thyroid hormone production and thyroid gland's health. Take these all vitamins regularly but the caution here is, one should take all vitamins in proper dosage as less or over dose will be harmful to the body. Along with the thyroid functions, essential elements like L-tyrosine and calcium are also effective. Many dieticians recommend selenium and iodine.

There are many herbs, which are proven to have good effect in hypothyroidism case. For example, the tea or a tincture that is made up with horsetail (Equisetum arvense), oatstraw (Avena sativa), gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is said to be very beneficial in hypothyroidism. Some of the herbalists advise Kelp (Laminaria hyperborean), Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) and irish moss (Chondrus crispus). They not only help in production of good quality thyroid hormone but they also keep the quantity under control. 
Another good concept to treat hypothyroidism is something called contrast hydrotherapy. This is the therapy in which, there is cold and hot applications. These applications are applied alternately to neck and the throat. It is said to be stimulating for thyroid glands. The ideal method is to keep the hot application for three minutes and then applying cold application for about one minute. The entire procedure is repeated three times as a set and there should be two to three sets each day to gain maximum benefits.

Alternative therapies do help in preventing and treating hypothyroidism. However, this therapy is not to be considered as first line therapy.

Top 3 Alternative Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

If you've been diagnosed with  rheumatoid arthritis, the single best way to fight the disease is with medication. Still, as effective as RA drugs are, they can't do everything.
EXERCISE

There are several complementary treatments out there that can help you control RA symptoms. Exercise is at the top of the list, even though the prospect of exercising may seem painful - the right kind of activity can help prevent RA-related pain and improve mobility.

Physical activities that relate to flexibility include Range of Motion (ROM) exercises and stretches. ROM exercises help maintain or restore normal joint movement and relieve stiffness. Weight-bearing exercises can help keep your bones strong. Physical activity also heads off depression, which can plague anyone coping with a chronic condition, including RA.

Arthritis causes you not just pain; it also causes your joints to be severely stressed. Maintaining flexibility and strength is very important. The best way to do that is to exercise. You have to choose an activity that you enjoy doing most, and remember not to overexert yourself. 
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting on a new exercise program.

FISH OIL

Fish oil has been at the foreground of popular arthritis treatments recently. It helps relieve your painful arthritis symptoms as well as works to reduce inflammation. 

Fish oil is derived from cold-water oily fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids – DHA and EFA. Your body can use omega-3 fatty acids to make a chemical known as resolvin D2, which fights inflammation. Because arthritis pain involves inflammation, fish oil can help to relieve pain and symptoms over time. 
Fish oil also has almost no negative side effects as compared to traditional over-the-counter medications and prescriptions. While fish oil cannot repair or reduce existing damage, it offers relief in several other areas.

RA patients in the studies that found fish oil helpful took high doses, typically 3-4 capsules..

HEAT & COLD THERAPY

Heat or cold therapy works by stimulating your body's own healing mechanism. Heat dilates the blood vessels, stimulates circulation, and reduces muscle spasms. In addition, heat alters the sensation of pain. You can use heating pads, heat lamps, warm bath or heated wash cloth.
Cold compresses reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels. While cold packs may be uncomfortable at first, they can numb deep pain.

When using moist heated wash cloth therapy, make sure the cloth is not so hot that you burn your skin. Find a temperature that you can comfortably tolerate, whether using a bath or spa therapy. You can also use moist heat anytime you want additional relief from arthritis pain.

But as with exercise, don't overdo it; talk to a healthcare provider about how to use heat and cold safely. 

If you do try alternative therapy for RA Pain, try only one at a time and give it a 4-6 weeks trial to determine its effectiveness. However, if you experience any adverse side effects, report it and discuss it with your healthcare team.

Acupuncture as an Effective Alternative Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic neurological disorder that generates a wide range of symptoms. Most people with fibromyalgia complain about recidivating muscular pain, rigidity of joints and a generalized state of body weakness. Although these manifestations may point to rheumatoid arthritis, clinical examinations can reveal any signs of physical damage in people with fibromyalgia.
Due to the fact that most medical treatments are unable to overcome fibromyalgia, the disorder is considered to be incurable. However, this belief is far from the truth. Although fibromyalgia is a serious disorder with a pronounced chronic character, there are actually effective means of treating it. Acupuncture has proved to be a very reliable form of therapy for fibromyalgia, providing symptomatic relief and preventing the recurrence of the disorder.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that has been successfully used to treat various illnesses for thousands of years. This oriental therapy can relieve most of the symptoms generated by fibromyalgia in a relatively short period of time. Acupuncture can quickly restore physical and mental balance, improving the overall health of the people who follow this form of therapy.
Acupuncture can quickly ease fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. This form of alternative therapy uses needles to stimulate various nervous centers of the body. In Oriental medicine, it is believed that the internal activity of the organism can be influenced by activating certain points on the body. These points are referred to as "acupuncture points" or "acupoints". Therapists use acupuncture needles to activate specific acupoints on the body, correcting the activity of the entire organism simply by stimulating the nervous system.
This ancient Chinese practice is very benefic for people affected by fibromyalgia. Acupuncture inhibits fibromyalgia pain by stopping pain impulses from reaching the brain. This form of therapy can also regulate the body's production of hormones, increasing the levels of serotonin, endorphins and encephalin, which have a very important role in relieving pain. Acupuncture can also improve the blood flow, restoring muscular tonus. Furthermore, acupuncture can help people with fibromyalgia relax, inducing them a state of comfort and wellbeing.
The majority of people affected by fibromyalgia admit that they have experienced an amelioration of their symptoms after only a few sessions of acupuncture. The first symptoms that can be relieved with the means of acupuncture are muscular pain and weakness, rigidity of the joints, and fatigue. After a month of ongoing therapy, acupuncture can also reduce stress, depression and mental confusion.
Chinese therapists claim that acupuncture works on multiple levels, healing the body, mind and spirit altogether, helping people re-achieve their balance. Oriental therapists also state that acupuncture stimulates and increases the vital "chi" energy, improving the overall health of the organism.
Acupuncture is very benefic to people with fibromyalgia and it can quickly alleviate their symptoms. In present, this form of therapy is probably the most effective means of overcoming the disorder.

Alternative Therapy For ADHD – Are You Sure You Are Giving Your Child The Best?

Treatment of ADHD can be very patchy and a lot depends on the education of the parents, the doctors and the teachers. These are the main stakeholders in the game and they all can play a vital role. But an alternative therapy for ADHD is often viewed with some hostility and suspicion, which is most unfair in my view.
Far too often, all the three stakeholders are seeking an easy way out in over prescribing the psychostimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall. These may provide some short term relief in lessening symptoms such as lack of attention and concentration, restlessness and hyperactivity.

But now lots of medical research is flagging up some uncomfortable questions about the efficacy of these meds and indeed their safety. The work of Prof. Alan Sroufe has been a key element in this regard. He works at the Minnesota Institute of Child Development. He is firmly convinced that although Ritalin has been widely used now for over forty years, there have been no long positive effects and that they are not really the way to help children to manage their ADHD. 

He also argues that the fact that they have been overused is an alarming signal which show we have understood very little about the real issues in ADHD. 
It is at this point that we should pay much closer attention to alternative therapy for ADHD. Whatever treatment option we choose, we should be aware that it is just one element in a complex range of factors. There is the home environment to think about, routines, physical exercise, diet and above all helping children to become aware of what the behavior issues are. 
There is much at stake here as Dr. Russell Barkley has pointed out in a seminal work which was published some years ago. The figures are startling because we now know that a child with ADHD is actually more at risk of the following:-

•    up to 40% risk school self exclusion
•    up to 70% are at risk of having no or very few friends
•    up to 80% risk under performance at work
•    up to 50% are at risk of displaying anti social behavior.

Lingam Massage - Alternative Therapy To Address Impotence

While there are various body massages that offer enormous physical gains and health benefits, the lingam massage aka tantra lingam massage is the route through spirituality, discovering and differentiating the soul and the self.
Lingam massage is known as a spiritual tradition and has its origin rooted in India and invented some 4000 years ago as a way of live celebrating union of the body, and the emphasis is given to the union of body with the heart, mind and the soul. The massage is in fact a form of yoga and is also prescribed for those who suffer from issues of impotence and urinary incontinence. It should be noted that the massage is not a recommendation for size gains and things thereof.
Lingam massage should be regarded as an alternative therapy for treating impotence issues arising from premature ejaculation.
Not every spa and massage parlor is qualified to offer the lingam massage, and it is only qualified massage therapists and centers offer this rare form of exercise where in pressure is applied on a man's genitals and the deep tissues will be manipulated once the pressure reaches the points extremely cautiously in a structured form. The massage is initially approached as a reflexology technique. It is known that reflexology has many benefits including improving the blood circulation, reducing the stress (remember stressed mind can result in breakdown of immune system resulting in several medical conditions), stimulating the nerve functioning and eventually revitalizing mind and the body.
The person who opts to receive the lingam massage therapy will also have to comply with certain rules as prescribed the therapist. Chemical-loaded oils are a strict no in the massage and the benefits are far from felt if cheap organic chemical lotions are used. A qualified lingam massage therapist would only use recommended special oils derived from herbs and start gently applying pressure. These oils will leave no side effects on the skin unlike the synthetic lotions do. While the direct benefit of the massage is treating PE problems it also de-stresses the mind and the body to a greater extent just like some other body massages.
The massage receiver will be made to lie on back with pillows or cushion under the head. A pillow is placed under his hips to rise his hips and then the legs are spread with knees bent. Before starting the actual therapy the receiver is taught some deep breathing techniques so his mind is calm and tension free. The therapist will then apply the herbal oils and give the massage gently first through the legs. The receiver will be asked to continue relaxed breathing as long as the massage is given. It is after the prescribed amount of time of massaging that the person experiences union of body and soul.

Alternative therapies for health and treatment

Reiki is an alternative therapy in health and medicine. Reiki is faith healing. Reiki is a form of spiritual healing.
In the West, Reiki is practiced very much as a form of complementary medicine, where practitioners give Reiki 'treatments', though with Reiki it is also possible to treat yourself, which cannot be done easily or comfortably by people who practice, for example, Indian Head Massage or Reflexology! Reiki is largely seen as an oriental version of spiritual healing, based on the laying on of hands and the channeling of a form of energy, or a "spiritual" energy, and this energy can also be used for the benefit of the practitioner.
When Reiki was taught by its founder in the 1920s in Japan, what was being taught was a spiritual path, a self-healing method, a path to enlightenment, so Reiki has certainly gone through an interesting journey during the last century, to end up now being presented to the world as a treatment technique, and we will find out how this happened later.
So most Reiki practitioners will treat other people, they will treat themselves, and they will also follow a simple set of 'rules to live by' that were set down by Reiki's founder, Mikao Usui. The system was made available to people from different religious backgrounds, so you do not need to be a Buddhist, or a Christian, or follow Shinto, or have any religious beliefs, in order to benefit from the teachings and the practices. Reiki is 'neutral'. Reiki is all about moving more into a state of balance on all levels, achieving more balance in your life. Moving into a state of balance may involve the resolution of some health problems, it may involve a change in beliefs and attitudes, it may involve making decisions that have been put off or ignored for a long time, and a realisation of one's true values and priorities in life. Reiki is all about change: change for the better, finding out what is right for you in your life and making decisions to move you closer to what is right for you.
The successful practice of Reiki involves committing some time, regularly, to invest in yourself through working with energy to achieve more of a state of balance. The beneficial effects of working with Reiki develop over time, they build cumulatively, and the positive changes that you can experience through working with Reiki are governed by your commitment to working with the system. You invest in yourself and you reap the benefits.
Learning Reiki does not mean that you are committing yourself to becoming a Reiki practitioner, and many people who learn Reiki do so because they are looking for some benefits for themselves, and they are looking to be able to do something to help their friends and family members as alternative therapy for health. Some people take Reiki First Degree and stop there, though most people seem to go on to second Degree level. How far you progress with the system is up to you, and how much time you invest in working with Reiki is up to you.

Discover Alternative Therapies and Medicine

Allternative health/medicine is a branch of healing methodologies used by various peoples the world over for the treatment of illness, pain management, and accompanying symptoms.  Alternative health practitioners believe in the close interrelation between body, mind, and spirit and the relationship between these that form the groundwork for holistic health.
Alternative healing is based predominantly on the "natural healing model" which emphasizes the use of natural herbs, foods, exercise, and energy healing or indigenous therapies to promote health. They are generally non-invasive and nature based and can include anything from aromatherapy, acupuncture, acupressure, magnetic therapy, yoga, meditation, and many other techniques used by civilizations for thousands of years.  Many modern cultures continue to use alternative treatment to complement modern medical treatment as these traditions are steeped in cultural traditions and/or because of the high cost of Westernized medicine and pharmaceuticals; and, because they work. In fact, Dr. Andrew Weil, a prominent American medical doctor, is popularizing a growing form of Western medicine called Integrated Medicine. This new way of thinking is a beautiful marriage between traditional and indigenous therapies, modern energy healing, and Western medicine.
Why is it called complementary and alternative medicine?
Thousands of years ago, these were the only known treatments prior to the discovery of penicillin, antibiotics, and all other modern medical treatments used in medical institutions today.  Alternative Medicine is the original medicine. However, the advent of modern medical treatments pushed aside the use of these types of therapies but they are now coming back due to the short-comings of modern medicine to provide healing in many circumstances (especially when dealing with chronic pain and illness) and the revolutionary discoveries in quantum science. These quantum studies are once again starting to validate indigenous and alternative therapies and, when used alone or in place of conventional treatments, they are known as complementary and alternative medicine.

What is holistic medicine?

Many of these alternative medicine treatments emphasize the interrelation of the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health that are what make up whole person. These parts of the human condition when in harmony create a state of health in the individual. When one part of the system is thrown out of balance or "falls apart" then the other two are forced to overcompensate and over a period of time they too also fail or are deeply affected – hence the reason for using holistic health treatment. Holistically speaking, the part of the person that is in illness can be healed by building up or strengthening the other parts thus taking the pressure off the ill part and allowing the it to heal more effectively. For example, a stressed out and overworked body can be healed by alleviating mental or emotional stress thus letting the body function more readily and to rest more easily. As we know, a stressed mind leads to a stressed out body.
Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice.  Most of these practices evolved way before the discovery of conventional medical approaches.  However, many alternative medical systems have been developed in Western cultures within the last century, including homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine.  Systems originating from the East and popularized as modern alternative treatments are traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine.

Mind-Body based therapies utilize various techniques aimed to enhance the mind's capacity to stimulate natural healing, affect bodily functions, and alleviate symptoms.  Many, if not all of these, are rooted in healing practices that came from cultures existing thousands of years ago. Often, they were first used in Eastern cultures and have become mainstream. Practices such as the many forms of yoga now practiced all around the world are good examples of this. Other alternative therapies of this kind are meditation, Reiki, Pranic Healing, hypnosis, and emerging therapies that use creative media (art, dance, and music) such as art therapy, movement therapy and sound or music therapy.

Manipulative and Body-based techniques that are considered alternative therapies are Alexander Technique, Rolfing or Structural Integration, Cranial Sacral, and chiropractic. It's important to recognize that chiropractic care just a few years ago was looked upon as dangerous and fringe medicine.  All types of massage from Thai to Swedish and everything in between also fall under this category.

Biological Based Therapies make use of substances naturally found in nature including herbs, foods, and vitamins and plant and animal matter.  The popular use of dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal products, including other natural medicines fall into this category. Scientist are constantly proving that certainly foods, vitamins, minerals, etc. are useful in fighting disease such as the broccoli cancer connection or the wine heart attack connection. Often, indigenous food, mineral, vitamin therapies have a 50/50 track record in their effectiveness such as the debunked idea that shark fin can cure cancer or the successful re-discovery of anti-oxidant foods for alkalizing the body.

Energy Therapies intend to target the energy fields that are found all over the human body. These are often referred to as Chakras and the quantum scientist Candace Pert is using the Scientific Method to map and further understand these energy centers with us. These therapies aim at manipulating bio-electric fields or currents within the body through the application of pressure, manipulating the body, or even needles (as in acupuncture). It is thought that the body has a steady even flow of energy moving through it and when an illness occurs this flow is either decreased, diverted, reduced, or overly stimulated thus causing disease. Qi Gong, Thai-Chi, Therapeutic Touch, and Reiki are examples of this natural health therapy.

34$ Billion dollars a year! That is what Americans spend every year on alternative therapies and that too out of pocket

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine classifies Alternative therapies into five categories -
1. Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative medical systems are built upon 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 in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine.  Systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
2. Mind-Body Interventions
Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to augment the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered complementary and alterative medicine (CAM) in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques continue to be considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
3. Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies.
4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body such as chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.
5. Energy Therapies
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:
Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that ostensibly surround and penetrate the human body. Certain 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.
Alternative therapies presently account for roughly 11 percent of the total spent out-of-pocket on all health care, according to a survey of 23,000 Americans, from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.
Most of these expenses -- an average of $122 per person in 2007 -- go towards "self care," or treatments such as homeopathic medications and fish-oil capsules that people buy without a health practitioner's counsel, the study found.
Both Chinese and AmericanIndian medical practices depend on many medicines, including plantmedicines. The doctors who use these plants need training in how to identify the plants, prepare themedicines and use the medicines suitably. Chinese and AmericanIndian remedies can also depend on healing touch that is used to ease pain and cure diseases. Both approaches to medicine are very practical, depend on the plants that are at hand and share some of the same elements of philosophy.
Ayurveda, recognized as new age medicine now originated in the Vedic tradition of India. A traditional holistic health care system, ayurveda has been practiced in India for more than 5000 years. Based on the principle of eternal life, this ancient Indian science of healing seeks to re-establish the harmony between the body and the environment.
It is essential for researchers to conduct scientific studies of alternative therapies and establish their safety and effectiveness. It is important to increase the awareness of the American public.

The Facts Regarding Ethical Issues with Alternative Therapies

No matter what the ailment, condition, or disease, every patient has the right to choice regarding the treatment, even if this means not taking treatment that could be life saving. There are always concerns with having any treatment or taking any medications. Ethical issues with alternative therapies do not necessarily have to be looked at in a negative way.
In fact ethical issues regarding alternative therapies should be thought about as merely just another piece of information to allow patients to make their mind up about the treatments. Any information, positive or negative, surrounding a treatment is a positive thing for the patient. Knowledge is always necessary when making decisions about treatments. Alternative therapies are often used instead of traditional treatments, but are also used frequently in combination with traditional treatments. Therefore, there is knowledge regarding the therapies, the use of the therapies, and how they can affect the traditional treatment. 

Some of the existing ethical issues with alternative therapies exist specifically around the area of diet pills and supplements. The concerns about taking supplements of any kind are that they are not regulated like food and prescription drugs are. They can word things differently and market them differently. 
However, equipped with this knowledge people seeking the use of a diet supplement or any herbal supplement are less likely to jump into taking something without doing the necessary added research. In addition, some of the treatments and therapists that administer the treatments are not governed or regulated by any national body. Therefore, qualifications are unknown or not met. With this information people can research the technique as well as the technician and can make a decision based upon the credentials that are found. 
Ethical issues with alternative therapies definitely come into play when people involved closely with the traditional medical system, for instance a stay in the hospital, who want to use alternative therapies. The nurses, nursing aids, as well as the other medical staff, have to be aware of the interactions between the two types of medical treatment. 

Therefore, the knowledge regarding the ethical issues with alternative therapies as well as the benefits and consequences need to be known by the patient and medical professionals. Ethical issues with alternative therapies are just another tool for people to equip themselves with before making a decision about their health and the treatment. Alternative therapies are often an excellent way to gain some relief from a condition or illness when there is the possibility of religious or other belief system values preventing traditional medical treatments.

Alternative Crohn's Disease Therapies And Cam

Diet is not the only way to reverse, cure, and control symptoms of
Crohn's disease. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is
another method that many patients are finding effective in controlling
this ailment. CAMs are practices, systems and products that are not
considered part of conventional medicine, but rather are used in
conjunction with conventional Crohn's disease treatments to help ease
the system. One such therapy useful in treating and said by many to
cure Crohn's is probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms,
usually good bacteria that help rebuild a person's immune system.
These good bacteria can be types of organisms, yeast or algae, and are
available in different types of food supplements. Another CAM
treatment that can be used is acupuncture. The practitioner would
concentrate on the areas that are afflicted and use the needles in the
appropriate positions along the body. Other types of Crohn's disease
treatment include: behavioral therapy; hypnosis; meditation;
relaxation therapy; and biofeedback. The success of a CAM in helping
the symptoms also depends on how much a patient believes in the
therapy. A type of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease
therapies continue to be explored in case studies and research labs in
hope to rid this chronic disorder of the digestive tract that can
affect everything from the mouth to the anus. The majority of patients
with Crohns disease have irritation of the intestines, a break down of
the microflora, usually focused in the smaller of the two. It can
affect the colon, although any part of the gastrointestinal tract can
be harmed. Doctor's have not yet been able to determine the exact
cause of Crohn's disease and are less open minded to alternative
therapies. Some things that may cause it can include a weakened immune
systems, genetics, and environmental hazards. There is a possibility
that the inflammatory bowel disease is part of the body's defense
mechanism. There are a number of symptoms that are associated with
Crohn's disease, ranging from mild to severe. They include diarrhea,
abdominal pain or cramping with fever, bleeding from the rectum, and
appetite and weight loss. Fatigue is also a common symptom and other
bodily organs can be affected. Children who develop Crohns may have
delayed growth and sexual development problems. Fistulas and fissures
in the body can also develop as a result from Crohns disease. There
are five types of Crohns disease and depending on which part of the
body is affected and the severity of the symptoms will determine how
severe a case a patient may have. Two often the more severe the case
of Crohn's the more patients seek out alternative Crohn's Disease
therapies when conventional medicine doesn't work. Because of the
nature of Crohn's disease, a proper diet and alternative medicine
therapies may go a long way to controlling the symptoms and severity
of each individual patients case and even provide a cure. Diets high
in protein (especially from oily fish such as salmon and tuna) help
fight the protein deficiency caused by diarrhea. Complex carbohydrates
found in vegetables and fruit provide needed fiber. Patients are
advised to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine. Omega-3 fatty
acids and food rich in potassium should also be consumed as part of
the diet. If a patient is considering use a complementary and
alternative medicine to treat their symptoms of Crohns disease, they
need to discuss each option in detail with their primary care
physician. With a firm game plan in hand, may sufferers of this
debilitating condition can find relief from alternative therapies.
Published at: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=203046&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

Do Alternative Cancer Therapies Work?

Many people facing cancer choose alternative cancer therapies. These
alternative cancer treatments are sometimes chosen in lieu of
traditional treatments and sometimes they are taken in conjunction
with the more traditional cancer therapies like chemotherapy and
radiation. Deciding upon a course of treatment for cancer is a
personal decision that shouldn't be reached lightly. If you are
dealing with cancer, you should thoroughly research alternative
treatments and discuss them with your doctor so you can choose the
best option for you. Dietary changes are among the most popular
alternative cancer therapies today. This includes juice fasting like
the Gerson Diet and Hallelujah Diet which emphasize the consumption of
freshly juiced raw vegetables. The Budwig Diet is another popular
alternative cancer treatment where you eat specific foods, namely
cottage cheese blended with flax oil in order to bring about healing
in your body. The idea behind using diets to treat cancer is that a
proper diet will nourish your body and allow it to become strong
enough to defeat cancer. In addition, some foods are known to feed
cancer cells, like sugar, and some foods are known to fight cancer,
like broccoli sprouts. Green tea is another popular food used to treat
cancer and prevent its occurrence because of its reported antioxidant
abilities. Other alternative cancer therapies involve the use of
certain cancer fighting herbs. One of the most widely known herbal
formulations is known as Essiac and is taken in tea form. It is a
combination of Indian rhubarb, slippery elm, burdock, and sorrel.
Other herbs thought to fight cancer include red clover, turmeric, saw
palmetto, wheat grass, and pau d'arco. Mind body medicine also plays a
big role in alternative cancer therapies. Using techniques like
meditation to help relieve stress and visualization to kill cancer
cells calls upon the powers of your mind to help your body fight off
cancer cells. You can buy guided visualization CDs or download them
from the internet that walk you through a meditation where you
visualize an army of white blood cells destroying cancer cells in your
body. Mind body techniques can assist traditional treatments and do
not interfere with them like other techniques might. Even though herbs
might be all natural, they still have a medicinal effect upon your
body and can interact with each other and with prescription drugs.
Therefore, it is not a good idea to consume herbal remedies blindly.
More is not necessarily better. Before you begin alternative cancer
therapies, you should discuss what you plan to do with your doctor to
make sure your chosen therapy will not have harmful side effects based
upon your individual medical condition. You may find that your doctor
is not supportive of your decision to use alternative cancer
therapies. In that case, you may want to seek advice from a holistic
health care provider or herbal healer. You may even want to change
medical doctors. Remember, it is your body and your health is your
responsibility. While you want to make an educated decision, your
course of treatment is ultimately up to you. Published at:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=470946&ca=Cancer+Survival

What Alternative Therapies Work Best For Osteoarthritis?

A recent review article appearing in Medscape (Evidence for the
Efficacy of Complementary and Alternative Medicines in the Management
of Osteoarthritis. Vijitha De Silva; Ashraf El-Metwally; Edzard Ernst;
George Lewith; Gary J. Macfarlane) shed light on a rapidly growing but
mysterious – at least to traditional practitioners- method of medical
treatment. That is the field of complementary, better known as,
alternative therapies. In our practice, most patients will readily
talk about alternative therapies they are trying or hope to try in the
future. Often, they ask my opinion and ask about which types of
alternative therapies I would recommend. One of the biggest shortfalls
of treatment today in rheumatology is the lack of effective treatment
modalities for osteoarthritis. All therapies currently considered
"conventional" are designed to alleviate symptoms. They do absolutely
nothing to control the progression of disease. Osteoarthritis is not a
benign disease in that it is a key cause of disability in adults and a
leading cause of missed days from work. So… one argument raised by
many patients is this… 'Why should I take a chemical pain killer with
all the potential side effects when I can take an alternative therapy
that does the same thing without the side effects?" And I have no good
response to that question other than, "You have a good point."
Nonetheless, it is nice to have a review article that has examined the
therapies and provides some evidence, albeit sparse, that some
therapies work while others are still, in the drawing board phase. The
article mentioned above exhaustively examined numerous studies. They
concluded that capsaicin gel and S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) had
credible data supporting their use in osteoarthritis. They also felt
there was sufficient evidence to possibly support the use of
frankincense, MSM, and rose hips. Unfortunately, there was not enough
clinical trial data to advocate the following: ASU, CMO, green-lipped
mussel, pine bark extracts, SKI 306XI, vitamin B complex, ginger and
homeopathy. One flaw is that there are few well-controlled studies
looking at these types of therapies. The major reason is that it is
extremely difficult to secure funding to look at therapies that are
not produced by a pharmaceutical or biotech company. As the director
of a leading arthritis research center, I can vouch for the difficulty
in obtaining any type of grant that is not tied to a drug in
development. One key point, the authors made in the above referenced
review is that there were very few side effects associated with these
alternative therapies. These included heartburn, gastrointestinal
upset, and heartburn. There is a dilemma here because many alternative
therapies have, over time, proved their worth. These include
chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, hypnotherapy, and the
like. On the other hand, there are alternative therapies where the
evidence is lacking. For every treatment that eventually proves its
worth, there are probably ten that are bogus. But how do you tell? In
all honesty, you can't. And that is why you have to rely on your
doctor as well as your own response to the treatment. Remember… the
placebo response for arthritis remedies can approach forty per cent.
That isn't all bad if the aim is to get symptom relief. Nonetheless,
if it is a treatment with potential harm associated with it, be very
wary. Published at:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=837025&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies