Using Alternative Healthcare

With the rising cost of insurance and healthcare, it's time to find alternative ways of caring for ourselves and our loved ones. This does not mean that care will be substandard by any means. It simply means that there are healthier and better ways than using the medical professions. In many cases it will be just the opposite - a more natural way of taking care of your body than using drugs which only mask the problems.

In most cases, people in the younger years rarely, if ever need to go to the hospital except in cases of emergency like an automobile accident or having a baby. Generally the problems of all age groups are less severe and really there is no need to go to the hospital.

The first place to start is by taking a look at our nutritional plan. Just by staying more in tune with your body it will enable you to stay in better health year round. We all know the basics - fruit, vegetables, lean meats are the foundation, but by adding a few supplements, such as Vitamin C, Fish Oils w/ Omega 3's, Vitamin D3 and a general all purpose daily vitamin, you have now tripled your health protection. This routine wards off colds and flu, and all kinds of viruses in general. Keeping a healthy routine on a daily basis is the best way to go.

Now if you come across some minor cuts and bruises, or you find that your stress level is getting to extreme proportions which in turn raises your blood pressure, here are a few places to go to that will naturally help you with these symptoms.

Chiropractor - They are excellent way to relieve stress and muscle cramping and to get your body back into alignment so that you can move freely. If you have been already, you know what I mean. If you haven't, don't be scared off thinking they "crack backs," that's an old conception. What they actually do is treat muscles, joints and bones that have gotten out of alignment from a fall or injury, or simply from stress and everyday living. They are relatively inexpensive, out of pocket and if you have insurance there is only a slight co-pay. The benefits are innumerable because when your skeleton is in alignment of course the rest of your body will follow and you will feel good again. They often use electric stimulation, heat and cold and most have a massage chair or table to work out the kinks. Invaluable from the top of your head down to your ankles!

Massage Therapy - can very helpful, especially a deep massage that works on the muscles right next to the bones. These are the ones that get tight or slightly twisted, and cause much pain, especially if you have had some trauma like a slight accident or fall. They can cover your whole frame or just focus on one area that is giving you trouble. Massage Therapists can be found in a broad range of prices, but if you want to save some money, find a Massage SCHOOL in your town, and the students there "practice" on you and the school will charge a minimal fee, around $20 per hour. A typical masseuse will charge anywhere from $40 - $100 an hour.

One of the best things to do for yourself is to make time to exercise, someway, everyday. Thirty minutes is good amount of time to walk or ride a bike or swim every day - anything that will get your heart rate up and get your blood flowing throughout the body. Yoga is a good way to stretch out your muscles as well as doing the aerobic.

Finally, locate a health clinic in your area to handle the light sickness, cuts that need stitches and things of that nature. There is no need to go to a doctor and pay their fees or to go to the emergency room. The clinic rates are covered by insurance, except for co-pay, and if you do not have insurance, the cost is much less. Find one in your town, so that you know where it is when you need it.

So you can see that the over-rated, over-priced medical professions are not needed for most of the situations we come across in our everyday lives. If more people in this country would try this approach, our health care could be handled at lower costs and using much less of our time.