Increasing numbers of Canadians are seeking out alternative medicine. Because of frustration with Western medicine and its limited approach, people are looking for methods of treatment that will view them as a whole person.

Although many alternative/complementary/holistic healing methods are thousands of years old, the power of modern medicine forced them into the background over the last few hundred years. Many ancient systems of medicine have erroneously been represented to the public as ineffective, dangerous, and even compared to witchcraft!!

There is a place for modern medicine – when life-saving drugs or emergency surgery is needed, or to treat trauma (broken bones, etc.). However, Western medicine has no concept of a preventative approach and is seriously lacking in its ability to treat chronic health concerns.

In larger centers in Canada and the U.S., health clinics and some hospitals are taking the integrated approach of offering both modern and traditional holistic treatments and giving the patient the choice. But in some smaller and more conservative areas, the patient is often faced with choosing one system over the other when they are threatened by their medical doctors with a refusal of service. Patients often withhold information from their family physician regarding treatment from holistic practitioners out of fear of a backlash. Yet, doctors express frustration that patients don’t disclose that they are using natural remedies.

During our travels in Cuba, we toured a hospital accompanied by a physician friend of ours who practices in a small town near Santiago. A homeopathic pharmacy was found alongside the “regular” pharmacy, and acupuncture was being used in the physiotherapy department to speed recovery. Medical doctors in many third world countries without access to Western drugs will grow herbs and provide them to their patients with instructions for their usage. What a great model for our North American medical system!!

There will always be enough sick people to keep doctors and hospitals busy, as well as an increasing portion of our population seeking out alternatives. The solution that meets both of these needs is to offer integrated medicine where Western practitioners and holistic practitioners share information regarding their services and their patients with mutual respect for each other’s skills.

An example of integrative medicine might be represented by the following scenario. A patient falls and injures their shoulder. To rule out any fractures, the patient goes to the emergency department and has an x-ray. When the results show no fracture, the patient then can choose to seek care from an alternative practitioner such as Doctor of Chinese Medicine (for acupuncture & herbs to help the ligaments heal and to decrease pain), a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (for natural remedies to promote healing and lessen pain), a Registered Massage Therapist, Doctor of Chiropractic, etc. The doctor and natural therapist can communicate with each other, with the patient’s permission, regarding the patient’s progress.

It will be from public demand that this system develops. Patients have the right to choose and refuse any method of treatment that they desire without the threat that they may lose their physician’s care. We need to talk openly to our family physicians about the choices that we have made regarding our bodies.

A knowledgeable holistic health practitioner will have an understanding of the compatibility of any natural remedies they might prescribe for you with any medications you might be taking. Your individual constitution will be taken into account when recommending dietary changes that will help your progress. Your practitioner will acknowledge all aspects of your health – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

It is important to realize that medical doctors are specialists in their field, but for the most part are not knowledgeable about nutrition, vitamins, herbal medicine, acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, and other holistic treatments. When you are seeking care, please go to a professional in that particular field for advice about what their modality can do for you. No professional can be an expert in all fields and each practitioner deserves respect for their specialty.

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About The Author: 

Acupuncture & Natural Healing Centre
Acupuncture (Chinese, Japanese, Ear), Korean Hand Therapy, Moxibustion, Medicinal Herbs, Dietary & Lifestyle Counselling, Ear Candling, Bach Flower Remedies.

Contact: Lee Bothamley R.N. D.C.M., D.Ac.

Address: 568 N. Christina St. Suite D
              Sarnia ON, N7T 5W6
Phone: 519-336-7654, fax#
E-mail: paws@rivernet.net
website address: www.acupuncturesarnia.ca