Are we, as patients, sure there isn’t a better way or a less expensive treatment other than what the doctor has prescribed. What some patients are beginning to understand is that doctors don’t always know the best way to treat an ailment. Often patients are afraid to ask questions. It is your right as a patient to ask as many questions that you may have about your diagnosis, treatment and drugs. Many times there are other treatments for your ailments other than prescription drugs, and medical testing. Always ask what the prescribe treatment is for and why it is necessary. Sometimes an over the counter drug such a aspirin can be a lot better for your pain then a prescribed medication and there may be less side effects. It would also be a lot cheaper.
There are alternative forms of health care other than orthodox care.
Alternative medicine is any form of medicine that remains outside of the realm of modern medicine.
Naturopathy, chiropractic and homeopathy are examples of alternative health care. Holistic is therapy that treats the whole person, body and mind as opposed to focusing on the part of the body where the symptom occurs. Self care and prevention of illness are stressed.
Natural is any therapy that relies on the body’s own healing powers. These include herbal remedies, diet and water therapies. Alternative healthcare means participating in your own care and accepting responsibility for you own wellness, for instance preventing heart disease and obesity by eating right and exercising. Having a positive outlook has also been known to speed up the healing process.
Many patients feel disappointed because their doctors did not give them the emotional support and reassurance they needed. Doctors are trained to deal with specific symptoms or illnesses and are less comfortable when a pill or procedure is not available to fix the problem. Natural practitioners, who take a more holistic view of health, tend to spend more time listening to patients concerns and many use a battery of hands on techniques that are therapeutic.
Choosing an alternative or natural treatment does not imply that you reject orthodox care especially in a health emergency such as bone fractures, chest pains or high fever. Alternative medicine does not have to replace orthodox care but can be use along side of it.