Common Ailments & Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine and natural remedies have been used for centuries to treat common ailments in people of all ages. Some of the most frequently reported maladies treated with these techniques include chronic headaches, stress, excessive fatigue, weight gain, thyroid problems, allergies, insomnia, back pain and indigestion, though complementary and alternative medicines are used for hundreds of other issues as well.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to Discovery Fit & Health, ancient Chinese medicine has played a fundamental role in treating a variety of illnesses and other health conditions in many individuals, offering suffering patients an alternative to potentially harmful and expensive medications. Sleep aids, for example, are a popular choice among men and women suffering from insomnia, but many of these chemical cocktails pose a serious risk of negative side effects and health problems over time. The use of acupuncture in patients with sleep disorders has yielded positive results, particularly when specific points of the body are included in the treatment. These points include the ear, the wrist and various places between the brows on the forehead. The result of an effective session include a feeling of calm sedation and a more relaxed body and mind.
Yoga, Hypnosis, and Guided Meditation
Though not often considered medicine, yoga, hypnosis and guided meditation are all forms of alternative medical therapies shown to be effective in cases of excessive fatigue, problems losing weight and stress. As the mind and body reach a point of ideal balance, the individual is free to relax completely into a state of purity and contentedness. Complementary to a regular meditation, yoga or exercise routine is a diet based on resolving qi deficiency. Practitioners of Chinese alternative medicine recommend that a person suffering from these types of problems balance their qi with a diet rich in grains, beans, lentils, nuts and leafy greens like spinach and kale. Excessive consumption of alcohol is strongly discouraged, as it clouds judgment and can cut off access points between the body and mind.
Thyroid disease and Alternative Medicine
Another common ailment in individuals of various ages, thyroid disease, continues to draw attention when it comes to the field of alternative medicine. Though severe thyroid problems frequently necessitate the use of prescription medications, a complementary regimen based in alternative practices may help to reduce the need for as many drugs. Various mind-body practices, such as meditation, and changes to the daily diet help to reduce the number of stress factors in a patient’s life, both physically and mentally. A mind and body that are aligned and balanced through the use of alternative methods are far less susceptible to hormonal and immunological disorders.
In many cases, alternative methods are preferable to over-the-counter and prescription medication, though a medical professional’s approval is strongly recommended before the start of any new regimen.