Considering an Alternative Therapy?

Every medication or healing procedure that does not, strictly
speaking, fall under the category of conventional medicine is normally
referred to as alternative medicine, or alternative therapy.
Alternative therapy varies from conventional therapies not only in
origin, but also in practice. This form of therapy possibly based on
spiritual beliefs and folk traditions. Mainstream medical
practitioners are still hesitant to recognize alternative health
therapies merely because most of these techniques are yet to be
methodically tested in order to assurance their safety and efficiency.
Due to the lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of alternative
therapy, several physicians rather to call it non-evidence based
medicine; or some decline to recognize these alternative forms of
medicine or therapy, as medical therapies at all. Medical
professionals may take up this form of therapy only if their safety
and effectiveness is scientifically proven.
Tai chi for example, is a martial art, regularly resorted to as a form
of alternative therapy in order to reduce high stress levels. Other
forms of alternative therapy include reflexology, yoga, aromatherapy,
naturopathy, Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Homoeopathy and
acupuncture, among a wide range of other treatments. Magnetic therapy
is also a form of alternative therapy that uses static magnetic
fields. A lot of medical practitioners are of the opinion that
exposing certain parts of the body to such static magnetic fields
helps in the improvement o adverse medical conditions. It is
significant to remember that the magnets used during magnetic therapy
are of right magnitude in order to ensure that the do not affect the
blood circulation in any way.

It is difficult to test the efficiency of the magnetic therapy simply
because the magnetisms of an object can only be tested against iron.
Consequently it is hard to explicitly describe the exact method in
which the static magnetic field believed to be present, acts upon the
area to be healed. The concept of magnetic therapy dates back to
several centuries earlier. It is believed that Cleopatra wore magnetic
jewelry because of its healing energies. This type of therapy has
rapidly gained popularity in the last decade or so, and now it has
become a thriving 100-dollar industry. Alternative therapists
presently use magnets of standardized size and strength. One of the
most commonly used magnetic therapy products is the magnetic mattress
pad, which is generally used to treat ailments like insomnia, joint
pain, muscle spasm, etc.

It isn't easy to trust alternative therapy because of the absence of a
reassuring scientific base. Though, because of the growing popularity
of methods like yoga, meditation, tai chi, etc., it can be assumed
that such alternative methods of healing are greatly effective. Most
of these alternative therapies are used in conjunction with
conventional medication, and are often referred to as complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM). Alternative therapy, mainly like
magnetic therapy is naturally used to treat chronic ailments. While
therapies like yoga, magnetic therapy and aromatherapy are
considerably safe as they do not involve intake of medicine or any
other substance, alternative forms of medicine like Ayurveda and
Chinese medicine should preferably be taken along with mainstream
medication only after consulting a qualified physician, in order to
avoid possible side effects.