Alternative Medicine: An Alternative to High Cost Healthcare in Tough Financial Times

Our health care crisis is in the news everyday now that President Obama and his administration are grappling with the complexities of the uninsured and under-insured in the US. His appearance on Meet the Press Sunday September 20, 2009 triggered yet further debate about the crisis over 45 million worried uninsured Americans face with fear.

In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as "a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The average individual would imagine this holistic definition as an unrealistic dream state. Too few people are truly considered healthy and those who are healthy are working hard to maintain it. Given the high number of obese people in the US, the number with heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol, and the stressful lives most lead, it is no wonder that the cost of healthcare and the lack of it provided to millions of people has brought us to the crisis state. This is a complex issue at the very least.

The answer or resolution is more complicated than the problem and just thinking about it can raise a person's blood pressure. Simple answers do not exist. So, many people, be they considered wise by some and desperate by others have relied upon Alternative Medicine to not only fill the gaps in health care but have found it to be a safe and effective alternative. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that half the US population utilizes Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and the numbers have risen steadily each year.

Debate is ongoing about the safety and efficacy(1) of Alternative Medicines such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, and massage. In 30 years of study and application, as a serious proponent of CAM, I have found that the effectiveness of "herbal remedies" for example, varies with the quality and freshness of the product and the deliberate combination of appropriate herbs. Whether industrially produced or formulated in one's own kitchen, freshness and purity are key components to effective treatment with herbs.

Furthermore, it is often an ignored fact that herbs work better in combination with other herbs and skeptical people get discouraged when a single herb does not produce the desired result. An herb is considered food not unlike vegetables and just as one does not eat a steady diet of one food, carrots for example; one needs to combine herbs together in specific proportions in order to gain the most benefit(2). With regard to the effectiveness other recognized alternatives, i.e. acupuncture and massage, it of course depends on the skills and training of the practitioner. Acupuncture is more recognized than ever before as an effective treatment for many musculoskeletal problems as well as internal problems.

If you have not already considered a holistic approach as an alternative to high cost health care...now may be the time to do some investigative work. Countless educational websites exist which explain the benefits and use of alternative methods. Of course the holistic approach is a lifestyle of mind, body and spirit programs combined to address the whole person. Save money, save yourself, even address your children's health issues, and maybe just maybe, with an alternative to no medical coverage, begin to find that dream state the WHO defined as health..."a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Maybe someday the US may become as progressive as Sweden and even begin offering Alternative Medicine Health Care Insurance. It would definitely safe millions in health care deficits.

Reference:

1.The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, Mowery, Daniel PH.D (1986) Keats Publishing

2.Herbal Combinations: The Natural Harmony of Combining Herbs Elkins, Rita, M.H. (1996) Woodland Publishing