Healthy Living

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative Medicines

 

Alternative or complementary medicine is generally used to maintain or improve well being and treat health problems in ways that your regular doctor might not. Examples of alternative medicine are naturopathy, homeopathy and acupuncture.

Even though alternative therapies may be helpful in improving health and treating some illnesses, it is really important that you always check with your doctor first if you or your baby are sick. You should also always check with your doctor first before you decide to try any alternative therapies or medicines. Listed below are some pros and cons to think about before starting to use alternative/complementary medicines.

Pros of Alternative/Complementary Medicine

  • Provides a personal, holistic and balanced approach to looking after your health.
  • Provides an alternative to what regular doctors, medicines and hospitals usually do for patients.
  • Provides information about over-all health and well being which may help you feel more in control over your health.

Cons of Alternative/Complementary Medicine

  • There is little scientific research on the safety and effectiveness of some alternative and/or complementary therapies.
  • Some complementary therapies may not react well with usual medical treatments.
  • Some complementary therapies are expensive and not covered by provincial health plans or private health insurance.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is based on the idea that the body can heal itself naturally. Naturopathic medicine tries to improve health, prevent disease, and treat illness with the use of organic foods and physical activity. Living a balanced lifestyle is a key part of the naturopathic way of healing and staying health.

For more information on naturopathy visit the website below:
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa104756spec/sec1.htm


Homeopathy

Homeopathy, like naturopathy, is based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. A key idea in homeopathy is that symptoms of sickness, like having a sore throat or a headache, is the body’s way of making itself better. The homeopathic way of dealing with health and healing usually involves the use of homeopathic medicines, or remedies.

For more information on homeopathy visit the website below:
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa104729spec/sec1.htm


Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that has been used for centuries. It is based on the idea that there is energy, called chi or qi, flowing through your body. Chi is thought to flow through your body along energy pathways called meridians. Acupuncturists believe illness happens when the flow of chi is blocked at any point along a pathway. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe acupuncture unblocks and rebalances the flow of chi for better health.

For more information on acupuncture visit the website below:
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa77639spec/sec1.htm


For more information on alternative/complementary medicine visit the websites below:

BC Health Guide – Alternative Medicine
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa63785/sec3.htm

BC Health Guide – Complementary Medicine
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa63785/sec1.htm

BC Health Guide – Should I use complementary medicine?
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/dp/topic/tx1097/dp.htm

 

 

Sources:

BC Health Guide:  Naturopathic Medicine. http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa104756spec/sec1.htm
BC Health Guide: Acupuncture.
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa77639spec/sec1.htm
BC Health Guide: Homeopathy.
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa104729spec/sec1.htm
BC HealthGuide: Should I use complementary medicine?
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/dp/topic/tx1097/dp.htm
The Alternative Medicine College of Canada.
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa63785/sec3.htm