What is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative Medicine

Most of us rely on allopathic (read 'traditional') medicine for several reasons: lack of time, established medical practices, imposition by regulatory authorities and, last but not the least, Insurance dictum!

As Dr. Fatima mentions in her article 'Who is a doctor?', most ailments are not always the result of microbial invasion. There is a need to recognise the direct relation between the body and the soul and their interdependency. Most people in the third world know about this eternal bond and ties between the body and the soul and respect it. In fact, the Indian traditional medicine systems involve concepts such as life force; balance; the integral relationship between body, mind, environment and nature; importance of tongue and pulse evaluation for diagnosing illnesses; yoga; meditation; and other adjunct breathing exercises.

In this fast paced, modern age where most of us face situations resulting in stress trying to meet impossible deadlines, one should realise there is a need to look at alternative methods for curing illnesses - most of which turn out to be chronic. There are numerous, so-called 'non-traditional' methods of curing ailments. Most of them may not be known; and most of those known may not be 'approved' by regulatory boards. But the fact that they had been in practice from ages establishes the fact that they do cure ailments; otherwise they would have long past been discontinued.

It may be worth noting that not all methods of cure are applicable to every body on earth - some constitution types may not be suitable for some approaches. Moreover, it may not be 100% possible to intervene and 'neutralise' negative states between the mind and the body! Also, remember that it is not possible to correct inherited genetic mutations just by focussing our thoughts on them! (There are rare instance of such feats, but that is not in the scope of this article.)

It is strongly advised to approach an experienced practitioner in the respective profession.

The Term 'Alternative'

The term 'alternative' refers to therapies, practices, methods recommended in place of mainstream care. It may be worth noting here, that alternative need not necessarily mean that one gives up dependence on mainstream practice totally. More often than not, most alternative medical practices may be used in a complementary or even a supplementary role.

It is the general notion that alternative practices are unproven - if proven, they would not remain 'alternative', they would be accepted in mainstream. Most of the alternative systems had recognised internal forces and energy spots thousands of years ago and work with them. These abstract internal 'power-houses' are not covered under modern scientific terminology. Many alternative practices appear strange, primitive, or irrational to those raised in modern societies where understanding the body and the world rests on scientific proof.

Lack of research in these practices as they are already considered 'taboo' by the world of Christian Science, is one primary reason. While less and less research is being done in this direction, the world is focussing attention on isolating genes that supposedly cause most illnesses. So much so, that this 'technology' is being applied to agriculture (transgenic crops) and dairy industry (hormones feed better yield of milk) - the results of which we are experiencing as stubborn allergies and ailments in mankind.

Most alternative practices remain unchanged across millennia in contrast to modern science and medicine, which continually grow and change through constant research. According to science, what was relevant yesterday, may not be valid today! Here is a quote that is making its rounds on the Internet, prodding the consumer to open their heart and question themselves - 'Where are we heading?':

Medicine over the ages for a simple digestive complaint:

5000 BC - Here, eat this root.

1600 AD - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.

1850 AD - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.

1940 AD - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.

1970 AD - Those pills are useless. Here, try this meditation.

1985 AD - Pills and meditations are humbug. Here, take this antibiotic.

2000 AD - That antibiotic is harmful. Here, eat this root.

Caution

There is a possibility that some contraindications could exist in certain combinatory situations. For instance, In cases where a person is taking aspirin for whatever reason, care should be taken to reduce the intake of ginger, as it acts as a catalyst for medicines while being a blood thinning agent. Aspirin itself has blood thinning propensity - combine this with the catalytic effect from ginger - and the result could be internal bleeding - or, severe aggravation of ulcers etc.

With this caution in mind, we shall briefly consider each alternative practice in demand worldwide.

The healing process could be acheived from the following 'routes':
Metaphysical
Dietary control
Mind over Matter
Bodyworks
Sensory routes
Resetting the system

We shall be continually adding content to these pages. Please keep visiting this section for constant updates.