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Essential Lessons Regarding Alternative Medicine London Ontario Residents May Benefit From

By Edward Allen


Abbreviated as AM, alternative medicine is just, as the term suggests, an alternative to scientific methods of treatment. Its major setback is the inability to provide proof of efficacy in form of patient trials or research. The argument advanced by mainstream medicine is that one only stands to benefit from placebo effects of the treatment. If used in conjunction with conventional medicine, the patient may have the notion that they are improving yet what they could be experiencing is minimized side effects of the main drug. We will look at some of the key features of alternative medicine London Ontario people can learn from.

One of the common tools of trade in alternative medicine are foods and related substances found in the natural environment. Some of the foods believed to have medicinal value include flaxseed, fish oil and omega three fatty acids. Plants believed to have healing properties include fungi and herbs. This trade may also involve the use of animal products in conjunction with plants. Of note is that they are administered in form of powders, juices or tablets and not as raw plants. Unfortunately, some of these products could be toxic to the patient.

Pseudoscience incorporates higher power to bring about healing, at least that is the general belief. In bio field therapy, super powers are directed deep into the tissues of the patient, thereby providing wholesome healing. Additionally, electromagnetic waves and chiropractic therapies are utilized. While these same concepts are applied in physical science, they have no foundation whatsoever in alternative medicine.

Belief in religion is also a key concept in alternative therapies. It is based on prayers and faith to restore the health of the patient. Relying on religion alone can be detrimental to the patient as there is no evidence to back its use. This mainly work if it is supplemented with conventional treatment. Faith may be of benefit because it gives hope to the patient and even facilitates scientific treatment. This is evidenced by the fact that such individuals to be more compliant with their drugs.

Needless to say, complementary medicine is not without challenge. Adverse effects that occur in AM may be difficult to contain because there are no documented studies to guide treatment in case of unexpected events. Mainstream treatment takes the day because it is proven, more organized and it has provisions in case of any emergencies.

The other challenge of AM is delay in treatment which is normally caused by a patient not having total trust in pseudoscience. Minor ailments may respond to AM probably due to placebo effects. In instances where the individual gets a major illness, total reliance on the same pseudoscience may result in delayed diagnosis and deterioration to a point where salvage may almost be impossible.

Common side effects of these therapies include undesirable drug interactions, allergic reactions and organ damage. Damage to organs is common when using herbal medication. The liver and spleen suffer the most when it comes to chronic use of herbs. Some patients may be allergic to the medicinal preparations. This can be life threatening especially in a case where such is not anticipated and also in situations where the antidote is unknown.

When all is said and done, alternative medicine should be regarded only as a last resort. This is attributed to the fact that it has no proof and it is only based on mere belief. It is also known to cause side effects that may not be dealt with properly owing the fact that protocols may not be available in such cases.




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