No one disagrees that the evolution of modern medicine has been a miracle.
From the discovery of Penicillin in the 1920s to the development of the artificial heart; the advances and innovations that have come within the last century are stunning.
The resulting industry found within modern medicine is large and powerful with more than a quarter million physicians and over 5,000 hospitals in the U.
S.
alone.
World-wide total health care expenditures top $4.
5 trillion, $550 billion of that in prescription drugs.
Yet there are many who feel the "system" is broken-that it is focused more on profits than the patient.
This thought is exacerbated by mainstream medicine's resistance to new approaches such as preventative medicine, chiropractic practices and holistic and energetic healing techniques-despite some very convincing data and success stories.
The resulting banter between the two thoughts can leave the consumer frustrated and confused, wondering which philosophy to subscribe to.
How about subscribing to both? Why does it have to be one or the other? It doesn't.
But since those in traditional and alternative medicines don't live under one happy roof, it is unfortunately left to the consumer to navigate his way through the maze that is to become their road to recovery.
Amongst all the chatter, there are a few things you can believe, and a few you can't.
Here is your quick guide: Believe that Chiropractic is a legitimate way to help your body heal and prevent pain.
Chiropractics have been around for three decades and has gained acceptance even within the "traditional" medical community.
Believe that a healthy diet and regular exercise will keep you healthy and out of the hospital.
Believe that bacterial infections need to be treated with antibiotics.
There is no "alternative" equivalent.
Yes, your body's immune system may be able to trump the infection on its own, but the risk is so not worth it.
Believe that sometimes surgery is necessary, sometimes it is not.
Unfortunately some doctors jump to the surgery conclusion too quickly either out of frustration, lack of understanding or-God forbid-because it makes them the most money.
So it is up to you to understand what it is your doctor wants to do and why, and what the desired outcome is.
Then do your own research to see if there are alternatives to reach the same outcome.
A good example of an alternative to surgery can be found with those who suffer from back pain, particularly pain associated from a ruptured or bulging disc.
Western medicine's approach is to surgically remove the herniated disc matter.
The alternative approach is spinal decompression using a decompression table at a qualified chiropractor's office.
Decompression has saved thousands of patients from back surgery.
Don't Believe that just because something did or did not work for someone else, that it will or will not work for you.
Everyone is different.
Individual results will vary.
Don't Believe that all drugs are bad.
Some drugs may be necessary.
But of course when it comes to prescription drugs, less is more.
Don't blindly accept every prescription offered to you.
Also, don't blindly refuse to take them either.
Do your research.
Don't Believe all vitamins, minerals and supplements are good.
This is an unregulated area of the FDA.
As a result there are some false claims and overstatements of benefits.
Generally though, subscribing to a diet full of vitamins and minerals won't hurt anything...
other than maybe your wallet.
Don't Believe that just because your doctor doesn't bring up or endorse a certain alternative practice that it is not a good one.
Remember, doctors have gone to 12 years of higher education to learn a certain world view on medicine.
They are not likely to step out of that box.
Alternative medicine is gaining popularity for a reason-it can work.
You don't have to look very hard to find plenty of success stories from folks who "cured themselves" through alternative means.
From the discovery of Penicillin in the 1920s to the development of the artificial heart; the advances and innovations that have come within the last century are stunning.
The resulting industry found within modern medicine is large and powerful with more than a quarter million physicians and over 5,000 hospitals in the U.
S.
alone.
World-wide total health care expenditures top $4.
5 trillion, $550 billion of that in prescription drugs.
Yet there are many who feel the "system" is broken-that it is focused more on profits than the patient.
This thought is exacerbated by mainstream medicine's resistance to new approaches such as preventative medicine, chiropractic practices and holistic and energetic healing techniques-despite some very convincing data and success stories.
The resulting banter between the two thoughts can leave the consumer frustrated and confused, wondering which philosophy to subscribe to.
How about subscribing to both? Why does it have to be one or the other? It doesn't.
But since those in traditional and alternative medicines don't live under one happy roof, it is unfortunately left to the consumer to navigate his way through the maze that is to become their road to recovery.
Amongst all the chatter, there are a few things you can believe, and a few you can't.
Here is your quick guide: Believe that Chiropractic is a legitimate way to help your body heal and prevent pain.
Chiropractics have been around for three decades and has gained acceptance even within the "traditional" medical community.
Believe that a healthy diet and regular exercise will keep you healthy and out of the hospital.
Believe that bacterial infections need to be treated with antibiotics.
There is no "alternative" equivalent.
Yes, your body's immune system may be able to trump the infection on its own, but the risk is so not worth it.
Believe that sometimes surgery is necessary, sometimes it is not.
Unfortunately some doctors jump to the surgery conclusion too quickly either out of frustration, lack of understanding or-God forbid-because it makes them the most money.
So it is up to you to understand what it is your doctor wants to do and why, and what the desired outcome is.
Then do your own research to see if there are alternatives to reach the same outcome.
A good example of an alternative to surgery can be found with those who suffer from back pain, particularly pain associated from a ruptured or bulging disc.
Western medicine's approach is to surgically remove the herniated disc matter.
The alternative approach is spinal decompression using a decompression table at a qualified chiropractor's office.
Decompression has saved thousands of patients from back surgery.
Don't Believe that just because something did or did not work for someone else, that it will or will not work for you.
Everyone is different.
Individual results will vary.
Don't Believe that all drugs are bad.
Some drugs may be necessary.
But of course when it comes to prescription drugs, less is more.
Don't blindly accept every prescription offered to you.
Also, don't blindly refuse to take them either.
Do your research.
Don't Believe all vitamins, minerals and supplements are good.
This is an unregulated area of the FDA.
As a result there are some false claims and overstatements of benefits.
Generally though, subscribing to a diet full of vitamins and minerals won't hurt anything...
other than maybe your wallet.
Don't Believe that just because your doctor doesn't bring up or endorse a certain alternative practice that it is not a good one.
Remember, doctors have gone to 12 years of higher education to learn a certain world view on medicine.
They are not likely to step out of that box.
Alternative medicine is gaining popularity for a reason-it can work.
You don't have to look very hard to find plenty of success stories from folks who "cured themselves" through alternative means.