Learning to Love Alternative Medicine
photo by migraine chick
I realize I’m on a Barbie kick recently. I’m not sure why.
So glad you all enjoyed this month’s Q&A. I always think learning about the person behind the blog is fun. And I can’t always work details into each post—though I’m sure I could have figured out a way to tell you about my former CIA dreams at some point. (By the way, good thing I chose writing. I don’t think I’d be much of an agent without the ability to run. Or walk.)
Today I was thinking about alternative therapies. Don’t ask me why. I’m not sure how my brain works half the time.
Anyhow, I was never a big believer in alternative medicine. Up until a few years ago, I swore by pills and tried-and-true treatments to cure me. I looked to Western medicine first for my knees, too. I tried icing and anti-inflammatories. I tried physical therapy, which I still do. And ultrasound. And cold laser therapy.
That’s when I schedule an appointment for acupuncture. Here’s where you’d expect me to say it cured me. (Let me just imagine that for a minute, mkay? A little longer…) OK, I’m back from that fantasy. I’ll get this out of the way fast: It didn’t work.
But that’s not my point. The point is that it took daily excruciating pain to get me to open my mind and get an alternative treatment. Since then, I’ve gone on to try prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma injections. They’re on the fringes of current medical therapy, but they’re helping me.
I went through this entire process with my allergies, too. I tried every medication available, but couldn’t get past my constant nasal congestion. And then the magic of Twitter clued me in to oregano oil. Taking the supplement helps me breathe. Ahhhh…
And here’s where you’d expect me to say it cured me. But that would mean that the thick cloud of cigarette smoke coming from my neighbor’s place stopped flooding mine. (Let me just imagine that for a minute. A little longer…) OK, fantasy over. Sadly.
I think I’m past the point where I believe Western medicine is the only cure for my ills. I think there are safe alternative treatments just as there are safe modern treatments. There are also risky alternative and modern treatments.
What do you think? Do you believe in alternative therapy? Why or why not? Have you gotten any alternative treatments? Did they work?
28 comments
Oregano oil? Who knew!
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Tracey Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Joanna–Yeah, you can either mix the liquid into some water and chug it or take pills. I chose the pills because I’m not a huge fan of the taste of oregano. The crazy things you learn from the world of Twitter.
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I haven’t ever had acupuncture but my Dad has and he swears by it!!! So does my grandpa. He gets is whenever he is feeling off. The man is 89 years old and still plays tennis every morning. That says something right?
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I have ALWAYS wanted to try acupuncture. I had a hip injury for a year and tried electro-acupuncture (with the needles, but it “shocks” you), but it wasn’t the same and um, didn’t help at all. Tina on Carrots and Cake has a post about acupuncture today, actually!
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Tracey Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 9:04 am
Holly–I saw that. I think we’re on the same page today.
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ugh…i left a comment on your yesterday post and lost it twice and frustratingly gave up
stupid computer…i fear losing this…so will be quick!
i think western medicine is not dependable…but i feel the same about alternative too…for a while i thought alternative was the superiour…but in the end that seems like a scheme to get money too…it all fails me! i suppose its an individual hting.
And yep, I agree with your views on Rubin (novel as per my post)….she kinda comes off as goody-preppy like and can be annoying…bigtime!
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I haven’t personally tried any alternative medicines but I find them fascinating. I’d definitely be up for trying something!
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I have big time lower back problems – 3 herniated disks. One thing that definitely worked for me was the routine shown in the book “Pain Free,” by Peter Egoscue. He addresses various body parts, from head to ankles. It definitely helped me – anyone dealing with pain in a certain part of their body should check it out.
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Tracey Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Samantha–I’m going to check that out. I’ll try anything to heal my knees. Thanks for the recommendation!
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I have given up on Western medicine! After countless doctors who have no idea what to do with me I really want to try acupuncture. I have heard so many people who are literally cured by it! Don’t give up on it Tracey…maybe you just need to find another acupuncturist (is that a word?)
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I have more faith in alternative therapies than most western medicines. I went through years of trying to figure out an allergy problem, and then after tons of searching and word-of-mouth, I was finally led to my current doctor who has helped me sooo much. I am now taking a lot of natural remedies that have really helped with a lot of problems that stem from an allergy I have to mold. I’ve also tried acupuncture. No, it didn’t cure me, but I definitely believe it helped with rebalancing my body. But another thing I really have faith in is that if you don’t believe in whatever is being instrumented, practically nothing will will work.
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I do believe in the use of alternative therapies, with caution and moderation (I feel the exact same way about Western Medicine too!). I feel the same as you about acupuncture—-it did not work. I didn’t enjoy it at all, but I know several people who love it. So I think my conclusion about all of this is that, like most things, we all have different affinities for different things—just like some people are carb people and some people are protein people….some people are acupuncture people and some are qi gong!
Some natural herbal and food treatments have helped me a lot with health issues (MSM, camu camu berry, etc)….and actually fixed issues caused (I think) by western meds.
My nephew had warts all over his hands for 5 years (he’s 6). We treated him on suggestion by the herbal pharmacy with some kind of herbal pills and soaking his hands in water with epsom salts everyday……4 months later, the warts are all falling off!
So maybe sometimes it takes longer than western meds…
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Tracey Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Lisa–That’s really interesting about the warts!
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You know, I really don’t know anything about alternative medicine, but I believe that trying it can be beneficial (so long as it’s safe for you). I have friends who swear by more holistic approaches and shun Western medicine entirely. Everyone has to figure out what works. The hard part is that when you’re in such a tough situation and experiencing a lot of pain (as you have with your knees), you’re willing to do just about anything that will ease that. I have faith in all sorts of treatments and practices, exploring new paths to health and wellness seems like a great option.
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I do acupuncture on my clients! I’m no chinese herbalist that’s for sure – only have the basic levels…it’s expensive…:(…but the results are like anything – varied and mixed. It’s amazing though how it’s always the grown men who are scared of the needles..;)
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Tracey Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Eat Move Love– My doctor told me that her female patients handle PRP (as in a giant needle full of blood platelets, ouch) so much better than men. She said it’s hilarious how much of a big baby a man will be compared to a woman getting the same treatment.
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I’m currently undergoing acupuncture for a car accident (physical therapy and massage therapy only got me so far) and it is definitely helping. For day to day pain relief though I swear by hot (not necessarily Bikram) yoga. I wonder if that’s even possible with your knees?
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Tracey Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Sarah–I’ve been trying to get back into yoga. There are some poses (including ones that involve kneeling) that I can’t do, but I’m doing them at home to help get back into it. I guess I’ll find out, but I think it’s helping with my muscle tightness at the very least. Yay for Downward Dog.
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I swear by aromatherapy. And essential oil therapy. A little orange oil in the morning for energy, lavander for sleep, arnica for muscle aches and bruises, bergamot for lady problems and so on. Love me some alternative medicine.
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I’ve not really tried alternative medicines, but I have taking any medication so if the opportunity and need arose I’d be open to it. We live in a tiny town so I’m sure there are a lot of people here who don’t even know what acupuncture is!
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I believe in massage, that’s for sure! I’ve never tried much else other than herbs and some of those are magic!! Cinnamon for diabetes, as I’m sure you know…brilliant! And ginger for tummy aches…ahhh
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I gave up on most Western medicine a while ago, because nothing was working for me. Then again, I’ve been trying some alternatives and I’m still not seeing a huge difference. I’m going to stick with it and keep trying though. I would like to try acupuncture as well, I know a lot of people who swear by it and say that it truly helps their pain. The thing is that everyone is different, and what works for some people does not work for everyone else. I’ve experienced this, when people highly recommend a treatment that worked for them, and then it does nothing for me. I guess you just have to find something, anything, that works for you.
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my mind is officially OPEN OPEN too.
Im uber allergied and people keep telling me acupuncture is the way to go.
Im in.
finally.
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I think that western medicine has its place in emergency care but not in wellness. While working for a chiropractor I discovered a whole new world of natural health and alternative treatments which is now how I live my life. I use chiropractic, PT and A.R.T. but Acupuncture is something though I still have not tried….but hear great things. Maybe some day.
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I need to look up that oregano oil. I’m a firm believer in natural/herbal remedies. Already taken Bromelain for nasal inflammation. It a pineapple extract that acts as a natural steriod.
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Tracey Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Yum Yucky–I took bromelain for my knees a while back. I didn’t notice a difference, but they were in pretty bad shape so maybe that’s why. I’ve never heard it used for nasal problems. That’s interesting.
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My mom is a total believer in acupuncture. We recently went to China and listened to a talk at an Eastern medical school that focused strongly on herbal supplements and acupuncture. She recently finished her first month of acupuncture for migraines and “a weak stomach,” and so far swears by it. I can’t even begin to imagine all of the problems that doctor would find with me.
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Tracey Reply:
May 16th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Alex–That’s interesting. My mother gets horrible headaches and I’m trying to get her to try acupuncture for them. I’ll have to show her your comment!
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