(This article is the first of a five-part series on select alternative medicine modalities.)
If you are seeking ways to maintain and improve your health and well-being, you might be interested in learning more about alternative treatments. If we educate ourselves about ways to maintain good health and the options available for dealing with health issues, we can make better health decisions. Alternative treatments are treatments that are not based on conventional medicine, but rather on natural, holistic, or traditional approaches. They are sometimes used as part of the integrative medicine approach or to complement conventional medicine. Some treatments have been used for thousands of years, while others are recent innovations. God has given us plants, such as herbs and spices, for curative purposes. Many Bible verses refer to the use of plants for healing and treatment. These include 2 Kings 20:7, “Then Isaiah said to the king’s servants, ‘Bring some mashed figs and place them on the king’s open sore. He will then get well’”. This was when King Hezekiah got sick and was at death’s door.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular and widely used alternative treatments, and how they can benefit you. Any information on conditions, illnesses, diseases, remedies, and treatments available via this blog is intended for general guidance only and should never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – Acupuncture
One of the most ancient and well-known alternative treatments is acupuncture. It is one of the techniques used in TCM and involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, called acupoints, to stimulate the flow of energy or qi. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi is the vital force that regulates all aspects of health and disease in the body. When qi is blocked or imbalanced, it can cause pain, illness, or emotional distress. Acupuncture aims to restore the balance and harmony of qi, and thus promote healing and wellness. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as chronic pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, allergies, asthma, digestive problems, menstrual disorders, infertility, and more.
Quantum Biofeedback
Another alternative treatment based on balancing the body’s energy is quantum biofeedback. Quantum biofeedback is a technology that uses sensors to measure the electrical activity of the body and brain and then provides feedback to the user through sounds, images, or vibrations. The feedback helps the user to become aware of their own physiological and psychological states and to learn how to modify them. Quantum biofeedback can help with stress reduction, relaxation, pain management, mood enhancement, cognitive performance, and more.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient type of holistic healing that originated in India and is still widely practiced in some parts of Asia. The word Ayurveda means “science of life”, or “knowledge of life” and is based on the idea that health and wellness depend on a balance between the mind, body, spirit, and environment. Ayurveda uses various therapies, such as herbal medicines, special diets, meditation, yoga, massage, and cleansing techniques, to restore this balance and prevent or treat diseases. Ayurveda may have some benefits for people who are looking for a natural and holistic way to improve their health and well-being. It may help with stress management, relaxation, detoxification, and general wellness. However, more research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ayurvedic treatments for specific conditions.
Iridology
A fourth alternative treatment that is popular and widely used is iridology. Iridology is the study of the iris, the colored part of the eye. Iridologists believe the iris reflects the health and condition of every organ and system in the body. By examining the iris patterns, colors, shapes, and markings, they can diagnose potential health problems and recommend appropriate treatments. Iridology can be used to detect inflammation, infection, toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, genetic predispositions, emotional issues, and more.
When abnormalities are found, the person is usually treated using natural or holistic approaches such as naturopathy.
Naturopathic Medicine
This is a system that uses natural remedies and therapies to help the body to heal itself. Herbs, massages, water treatments, acupuncture, rife treatment, and nutritional counseling are some of the therapies it embraces. This approach focuses on treating the whole person in terms of mind, body, and spirit and seeks to heal the root cause of an illness and not just treat the symptoms. It takes a lifestyle approach to create changes in the body. This includes diet, exercise, fasting, and stress management. Some naturopathic doctors succeed in treating patients with chronic conditions that do not respond to conventional medicine. I know of people whose medical doctors were surprised at their improvement or recovery after they used naturopathic approaches.
David wrote Psalm 51 after he had Uriah killed so he could have Bathsheba. He had been told by Nathan the prophet that God had revealed his sin and that he would be punished. He was in deep sorrow but as a consequence of his sin the child he had with Bathsheba died. In this Psalm, he is asking God to have pity on him, remove his sins, and cleanse him. His request in verse to wash him with hyssop for cleansing shows that it was something done in those days. Hyssop is an herb that has antiseptic and expectorant effects.
A Few Considerations in Using an Alternative Approach
Some types of alternative treatments are more effective in treating certain types of conditions, however, almost everyone can benefit from detoxifying their bodies as a necessary first step for some of these treatments. This will remove toxins from the body and allow herbal remedies to work more effectively. Getting rid of toxins from your body can sometimes provide startling results, especially if it is the underlying cause of the condition and symptoms.
Alternative treatments often involve the use of several modalities simultaneously to produce the desired results. The modalities used will depend on the nature of the condition and the severity. Traditionally, different regions of the world have focused on certain types. Ayurveda has its roots in Indian medicine, for example, while Traditional Chinese Medicine originated in China. Acupuncture is one of its oldest practices. The use of herbs as traditional remedies seems to be universal, with each country or culture leaning towards different types of herbs. This may be because traditionally they used what was available in their areas and passed that knowledge down from one generation to another. In addition to that, herbs are called by different names in different cultures as languages vary. The use of some languages, such as English, has become more widespread in the last few decades and some of these barriers are disappearing. It is also now easier to research these treatments and access herbs grown in other regions of the world.
Before you try any alternative treatment, it is important to research and read widely on the type of treatment or therapy and the experience of the practitioner who will be consulted. These methods usually require visits to your practitioner over some time. One difficulty is that many people do not educate themselves about what is involved and what to expect. They often expect immediate results although conventional medical treatment and medicines do not always provide immediate relief but require time for the effect to be experienced. Another complaint is that the alternative route is more expensive. This may not be true; People often do not include all of the expenses involved in being treated via the conventional route versus the traditional or alternative route.
For someone to be treated for a fibroid they will most likely visit their doctor to be diagnosed and referred to a specialist, usually a gynecologist or an obstetrician and gynecologist. They may be required to do diagnostic tests such as X-rays or other types of tests and scans, and often have to purchase prescription drugs. Depending on the size of the fibroid, they may be required to have surgery which will incur several charges. This will also be follow-up visits. In considering the costs, all of these charges are often not taken into consideration because they are being paid to different professionals and facilities.
On the other hand, a person may be treated by a naturopathic doctor who may also be an iridologist or an herbologist. The individual would be diagnosed using iridology and treated in a non-invasive way via herbal medicine and therapies. This can result in the fibroid being shrunk and expelled. These payments are being made to one person or entity and are not fragmented. It may therefore be seen as a greater cost when that may not be so.
Fibroids: The Case of Two Women
My sister-in-law had fibroids and chose the conventional approach. She had them removed by surgery. She had no confidence in the alternative approach and said it would be too costly. 15 years later she had to have surgery done again as more fibroids developed. She wanted to have children but was unable to. She has several nieces and nephews and a stepchild, so she is okay.
My friend on the other hand chose to go the natural route. She went through detoxification, changed her diet, took herbal medicine, and did therapy at home following the instructions of her naturopath. Within 2 months she passed out two fibroids. She had a child two years later. It is almost 30 years after the fibroid treatment, and she has not had any more fibroids.
Both had the fibroids removed. The conventional way in this case was far more costly and emotionally draining than the alternative approach. The alternative approach was non-invasive and produced the result my friend wanted. This is not to say that alternative treatment is better than conventional treatment, but just to point out that there are options.
Lifestyle Changes
Unless someone is committed to actively participating in their healing and making the required lifestyle changes, they may not get optimal benefits from an alternative approach. You may be required to give up sugar, salt, meat, or other things for some time. Some people are not prepared to do so. They want to have their cake and eat it, but maintaining good health requires us to make choices. They may also have simple therapies that they need to do at home. They may view those as chores and burdens.
Alternative treatments can offer many benefits for those willing to explore them with an open mind and a critical eye. They can complement conventional medicine or provide an alternative when Conventional medicine fails or causes unwanted side effects. They can also enhance your overall quality of life by addressing not only your physical symptoms but also your mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. If you are curious about alternative treatments don’t hesitate to learn more about them and see if they suit your needs and preferences. If you want to use an alternative treatment, consult your doctor before. Also, inform them of any herbs or supplements you are taking.
Any information on conditions, illnesses, diseases, remedies, and treatments available via this blog is intended for general guidance only and should never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
Only select alternative treatments were highlighted in this post and will be discussed further in future posts. There are many other options to choose from, such as chiropractic, upper cervical chiropractic, rife treatment, kinesiology, tapping, magnetic therapy, various types of massages, hydrotherapy, hot and cold treatments, and herbal remedies taken as teas, tablets, drinks, tonics, or used for poultices. Essential oils are used for aromatherapy. Other techniques such as grounding are said to contribute to overall health. God has given us plants, other resources, and knowledge it is up to us to use them wisely.