Alterative Medicine: A Life Saver

Alternative medicine can be very healing and have just as much of an impact as traditional medicine. How do I know this? Four years ago I suffered a personal injury that left me in the most pain I had ever suffered in my life. A slip and fall accident severely herniated a disc in my neck and impinged upon my spinal cord. After a year of misdiagnosis, doctors discovered the true cause of my chronic pain. This was not before doctors had prescribed a kitchen cabinet full of pain killers, muscle relaxers, and anti-anxiety prescriptions that nearly made me a walking stoned zombie. While I followed the path of traditional medicine for the first year of my ordeal, it was clear to me that I needed to take control of my own health before I succumbed to steel rods and pins in my neck.

Enter alternative medicine. After extensive research I found two osteopathic manipulative medicine doctors who performed weekly treatments that allowed blood flow to the injured areas to facilitate healing. In addition, I underwent acupuncture treatments to help manage the pain. Finally, I sought the care of a nutritionist who worked with me to develop a supplement and nutrition plan to give my body the nutrients it needed to heal.

As it turned out, I did need two surgeries on my spine. But, I located a neurosurgeon specialist who was able simply to remove the portions of my damaged disc that were pressing on my spinal cord. No steel plates, pins, or rods were placed in my neck. The surgeon's philosophy was an alternative medicine theory (actually he was Chinese), sometimes the body just needs a little help to heal itself.

Some people may think that alternative medicine is costly. While it is true that most insurance companies do not cover alternative medicine treatment, often insurance companies have discount programs that substantially reduce the cost for these treatments. But, comparatively, I found that paying $55 for each treatment from my osteopathic doctor was far more effective in the healing process than standard physical therapy that cost me $50 per treatment which was covered by my insurance company.

Alternative medicine is not "hippie" medicine, it is based in the philosophy that the body can and will heal itself if given the right nutrients and care. While traditional medicine is often reactionary, or treats the symptoms of the disease, traditional medicine seeks to address the underlying cause. In treating the cause, amazingly the symptoms subside!

If you find that traditional medicine is not meeting your needs, consider investigating alternative medicine. It may improve your health!