Although traditional medicinal cures have been utilized for thousands of years and actually predate Western medicine, they have been referred to often as “alternative medicine.” This term has made many people believe that these treatments are somehow fringe or questionable, when in fact, they have been trusted for centuries. However, the last several years have seen a growing acceptance of “alternative” methods of treatment, even in conventional healthcare institutions.
Alternative treatments address the full spectrum of an individual’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental influences naturally and holistically. While Western medicine has relied heavily on surgeries and pharmaceutical remedies, natural treatments rely on disciplines such as chiropractic services, acupuncture, and hormone therapy to balance the body and heal chronic conditions.
The movement has been driven largely by patients who are tired of the “pill for every ill” mandate in the current medical system.
Natural and homeopathic treatments, while gaining momentum, is still facing resistance from many factions. Still, the writing appears to be on the wall. The people are shifting more and more towards a more natural way to heal their bodies and maintain their health.
Pain Relief at the Forefront
One of the most significant shifts toward holistic patient care has taken place in the arena of pain treatment. The opioid addiction epidemic, affecting millions of people in the United States annually, opened many eyes as to the dangers of pharmaceutical painkillers.
Alternative options embraced by natural and holistic practitioners include yoga and massage, meditation, anti-inflammatory herbs such as ginger and curcumin, and acupuncture.
In fact, experts often point to acupuncture as the best example of an “alternative” treatment that is now accepted even by conventional medicine. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine but backed by scientific research, acupuncture is becoming more accepted every day.
Some doctors are reporting an opposite phenomenon than we saw even 20 years ago. With more healthcare providers embracing natural and holistic methods, integrating them with more traditional methods, they sometimes get pushback from their patients who are programmed to believe pharmaceuticals are the answer to every problem.
However, most patients begin to notice benefits immediately, and can achieve weight loss, better sleep, more energy, and an overall sense of well-being. More doctors are understanding that lifestyle change and natural methods are the best avenue to longevity, with less dementia and immobility.
It’s Still a Learning Process
Regardless of all the progress, American medical schools still stress pharmaceuticals above all else. So if your physician does not recommend trying alternative methods for your pain or chronic illness, you may need to exert your rights and take control of your own healthcare. Once Americans embrace lifestyle changes – such as a change in diet, increased movement, supplementation, and intentional rest and relaxation – holistic practitioners expect a seismic shift in how we approach healthcare.
Medical health freedom has been in the news and on the collective consciousness lately, encouraging many Americans to seek out non-pharmacological ways to stay healthy.
Longevity Wellness Clinic employs a team of practitioners with over 50 years of combined clinical experience in functional medicine, Chinese medicine, and vibrational therapies. We treat a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses – such as adrenal fatigue, migraines, and arthritis – with natural methods, allowing you to live a more vibrant and healthy life, drug-free.
Call Longevity Wellness Clinic today if you are interested in exploring acupuncture, nutritional supplementation, or other holistic healthcare options.