Complementary and alternative medicine is all about hippies and crystals, right?
Not so fast—complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, is a heavily researched and respected type of therapy that’s been proven to help many patients. You can include many elements of CAM in your health routine, even if you’re also taking traditional medications.
CAM includes therapies like Chinese medicine, dietary supplements, therapeutic massage, and reflexology. They can all be safe, as long as you talk to your doctor before starting to make sure they won’t interfere with your other health treatments.
Want to find out more? If so, here are five things to know about integrative health.
1. It’s All About the Mind-Body Connection
CAM is all about integrated health and wellness with the body and mind. One of the things patients love about it is the holistic approach as a way to improve health, rather than being solely dependent on big pharma medications.
2. It’s Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea
While we can all benefit from natural health remedies, not everyone is interested in trying them out. Some people are very focused on traditional medicine and not willing to try it out—even though both traditional and complementary medicines can be used together.
3. Herbal Medicine Is More Powerful Than You Might Realize
It’s easy to dismiss herbal medicine, but it’s serious stuff—many herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to treat common ailments and illnesses.
Plants like ginkgo, for example, can help with brain health, memory, and fever. Echinacea, ginseng, and garlic are other powerful herbs for improving health—click here for more information on herbal medicine.
4. Acupuncture Is One of the Oldest Natural Health Remedies
Did you know acupuncture is not only a type of alternative medicine, but it’s also one of the world’s oldest? Acupuncture originated in China and has been used since around 6000 BCE.
It can help with everything from headaches to menstrual cramps, depending on where the acupuncture is applied.
5. Your Doctor Can Help You Get Started
Want to try out complementary medicine but don’t want it to interfere with other health treatments? If so, simply talk to your doctor.
They can recommend complementary therapy types that will best suit your overall health and medical needs. There are many gentle forms of complementary medicine to start with, such as yoga or reiki massage.
Try Out Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Yourself
Are you curious about trying complementary and alternative medicine? If so, there are plenty of ways to get started!
You might want to book in for a massage, learn more about herbal remedies, or make an appointment with an acupuncturist. Then, talk to them about your ailments and health concerns and they’ll be able to make specific recommendations for you.
There are many ways to benefit from CAM while also undergoing traditional medical treatment, so get started today!
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