Health Alert 102
Forget HMO’s, co-pays, referrals, dangerous prescription drugs, and unnecessary operations. Many Americans have had enough. They are rejecting this insurance and drug company domination of their and their doctor’s choices. Many of you have written to me with a new interest in alternative medicine.
In this letter you’ll read how the surge in alternative medicine could affect your healthcare. I’ll also give you some resources for finding your own alternative health professional.
* Alternative Medicine Explosion *
The term alternative medicine can describe a wide range of health care options. They include: nutritional supplements, chiropractic, massage therapy, herbology, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, healing touch and many others. There is a mounting and massive body of evidence proving the safety and effectiveness of many of these therapies. This is empowering a movement for more alternative therapies.
The AMA estimates that Americans spend over $30 billion on alternative therapies every year. But you don’t need statistics to prove it. Just look on any drug store shelf. There are more supplements and vitamins than there are drugs.
So what does this rush of alternative popularity mean for your healthcare? It means that you can assume more responsibility for your health and wellbeing. With alternative options, you have a greater ability to control the direction of your healthcare, not your doctor or your insurance company. Because of growing popularity, alternative health therapies are becoming easier to find.
* Finding Alternative Help *
I don’t consider myself an alternative practitioner but an integrative physician. In other words, I practice both mainstream and alternatives. I do however, frequently refer to several types of alternative providers.
I’ve found that the very best way to find a practitioner of alternative health is by reference or “word of mouth”. Many of my current patients were looking for an alternative approach when they learned about my practice through a friend who happened to be my patient.
Another good way to find an alternative health professional is through licensing boards like:
• American Board of Holistic Medicine ( www.amerboardholisticmed.org)
• The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture ( www.medicalacupuncture.org)
• National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance ( www.acupuncturealliance.org)
• American Association for Oriental Medicine ( www.aaom.org)
• American Institute of Homeopathy ( www.homeopathyusa.org)
• The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage ( www.ncbtmb.com)
The Life Extension Foundation has an alternative practitioner directory online. The directory is not comprehensive, but it could be a start in the right direction. You can find it at www.lef.org/doctors/doctors.html.
Of course, you can look through the yellow pages. But be careful. Some “Johnny come lately” practitioners are jumping on the alternative medicine bandwagon just to make a buck. Do your homework on any professional you select.
Set up an initial consultation with the practitioner. Discuss your views on health and medicine. Make sure that you and the practitioner have similar views about wellness. Ask for proof about the effectiveness and safety of any treatment before you start it.
Remember, good practitioners should provide you with scientific studies, reading materials, and patient references when you ask for them. Just because something is alternative doesn’t mean that it can’t be explained.
And most importantly, make sure you communicate well with and feel comfortable with your alternative practitioner.
Al Sears MD