A couple of decades ago if you asked a medical doctor for their take on alternative medicine, they probably would have had a disparaging opinion. However, today, the word on unconventional treatments has completely changed as more patients seek out alternative therapies and treatments to combat specific medical issues and increase their overall health well-being.
In fact, certain research indicates that nearly half of all Americans have sought out some form of alternative medicine, making it an industry worth many billions of dollars. Medical insurance companies are even starting to cover certain alternative medicine treatments.
What Is Unconventional Medicine?
Unconventional medicine generally refers to any sort of medical practice or treatment that is outside of the realm of mainstream traditional (also referred to as Western) medicine. Here are some other terms that are interchangeable with unconventional medicine:
- Alternative medicine
- Natural medicine
- Unorthodox medicine
- Fringe medicine
- Holistic medicine
Unconventional vs. Traditional Medicine
Traditional or Western doctors usually focus on the symptoms of medical conditions that are already present. While alternative medicine practitioners also treat symptoms, they usually have a more holistic approach to health that takes lifestyle and other factors into account in order to also identify the cause of medical treatments, not just the after effects.
Another big difference between Western doctors and alternative specialists is medication. People who practice unconventional medicine may suggest herbs and supplements to patients but unlike traditional doctors, they do not prescribe medication.
Types of Alternative Medicine
There are many types of unconventional medicine practices. Some of the most popular include:
Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that is based on the idea that we all have a qi, or life force. Sometimes our qi can become blocked or imbalanced, leading to disease or pain. TCM practitioners help address this blockage.
The most common types of TCM practiced in the Western world are acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. In acupuncture, needles are inserted in certain points of the body to help correct a patient’s specific qi imbalances. In Chinese herbal medicine, herbs are used to treat disease and other conditions.
Acupuncturists are probably some of the most highly educated practitioners of alternative medicine. To become an acupuncturist you must go to acupuncture school for at least 3 years, although it is common for acupuncture programs to last for several years longer than that.
Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that is centered on the science of scent and herbs. Aromatherapists use essential oils to help enhance physical and emotional health. These oils are administered through scent or through skin absorption via creams, steams, body oils, compresses, and face masks.
Homeopathy: Homeopathic doctors, known as homeopaths, believe in our body’s internal ability to heal itself from diseases and other medical conditions or imbalances. Homeopaths use very diluted natural substances made from plants and minerals to help treat ailments.
While there is a lack of specific medical evidence that makes a direct connection between the use of aromatherapy and pain reduction, many people in the medical field agree that aromatherapy can promote a sense of calm and relaxation that may help lessen feelings of pain.
Integrative Medicine: A New Take on Health
As alternative approaches to medicine have grown in demand, popular opinion among both doctors and patients has shifted from the idea that natural medical practices are in opposition to Western medicine. Instead, many people are starting to see alternative medicine as going hand in hand with traditional medicine.
As a result, medical treatments that were formerly known as unconventional medicine are now commonly being referred to as integrative medicine since they are increasingly being combined with Western medical treatments to create a fuller picture of health for patients.
When integrative medicine approaches are combined with traditional medicine treatments, this is referred to as complementary medicine, or CAM, which stands for “complementary medicine and alternative medicine.”
The Benefits of Integrative Medicine
Integrative treatments can help address a lot of the same problems that a typical medical doctor would address, but one of the biggest differences lies in the methods of treatment.
For instance, while a medical doctor might prescribe pain pills after a back surgery, acupuncturists would instead use acupuncture needles to treat the pain. These two treatments are not mutually exclusive. A patient might be prescribed medication and their doctor might suggest an alternative medicine treatment as a supplement to prescription medication.
A benefit to this approach means that patients may be able to rely less on prescription medications, which can sometimes have a risk of addiction. In fact, some believe that the current tragic opioid crisis may have helped fuel today’s larger acceptance of alternative approaches to medicine.
Aside from pain management, many people believe that integrative medicine can help alleviate or reduce lots of other medical conditions, including but not limited to the below:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Blood pressure
- Cancer side effects
- Headaches
The Risks of Alternative Medicine
Like all forms of medical treatments, there are some risks involved with alternative medicine,
Even though practitioners of holistic medicine rely on natural treatments there could still be a risk of side effects. For instance, some herbs can interfere with prescription medications or may increase the risk of certain medical conditions.
If you have a serious medical condition and decide to rely only on unconventional medicine to treat it, then you may be putting yourself in danger. For example, it can be very risky for a cancer patient to forgo a recommendation for chemotherapy in favor of only alternative treatments. For this reason, today many medical experts suggest an integrative, complementary approach that combines Western practices and holistic medicines.
There are also some situations where it is probably best to go straight to a traditional doctor. For instance an emergency situation like a broken limb would warrant a trip to the hospital, not the acupuncturist.
Above all, make sure to consult with your medical doctor about any alternative medicine that you would like to explore. They may even have suggestions on the best sort of integrative approach for you. You should also make sure to let your alternative medicine practitioners know about any prescription medications you are taking and any traditional medical treatments that you are undergoing.