Alternative Medicine Synthesis

Alternative Medicine Synthesis

Medicine has come a long way since it was first created; it has helped cure many illnesses and extended one's average life span. Throughout the last couple of years, alternative medicine has attracted plenty of attention towards itself. This is due to the fact that new ideas and styles are being introduced into the world each day. Regardless of all its growing popularity, what do we really know about medicine? Is it safe? What studies have been conducted to prove its efficacy and validity in a generation where people are looking for a change and living life to the fullest? Are these new methods of medicine the answer to illnesses that the world has been seeking? Conventional medical practitioners say that this new style of medicine is fake and is potentially dangerous because there is not much, if any, evidence to support it's effectiveness and that it is actually successful and beneficial. On the other hand, alternative medical doctors state that this kind of medicine cures more efficiently without the use of pills, drugs, surgery or shots that conventional medicine uses. Medicine's efficiency has enhanced over the last couple of years and continues to enhance due to the continuous funding and research. Cultures around the world have developed and continue to develop, different ways to treat the same illnesses or injuries. Nowadays two very common types of medicine can be found: alternative medicine and conventional medicine. However, which one is the better one?

Some people are afraid of getting big pointy needles stuck inside of them, while others do not like the idea of having to go through any kind of surgery. For example, "I'm not going to have a needle stuck in my vertebrae, I'm going to find a different way" (Hamilton). Since Pam Hamilton did not like the idea of getting an injection or surgery, she took it upon herself to research alternative ways online and found another way to treat it. A clear example of alternative medicine's advantages is Katie Pugliese, whom suffered from chronic neck, back pain and headaches for several years. She eventually was recommended to try acupuncture treatments by her physician. Pugliese said that it has helped her significantly. She also maintains a strict exercise routine and gets massage therapy on a regular basis. The result? She no longer gets the debilitating headaches that she used to get. "I know how hard it is to undo years of tension," she says. "It was really quite miraculous". I don't know how else to explain it" (Pugliese). She explains that she felt better afterwards and that she had not expected great results but is happy she got them. The results that alternative medicine has had on some of its participants, have been successful, helping cure those patients.

Soldiers that were getting back home from war used alternative medicines, like acupuncture and meditation, to treat PTSD. Dan Cherkin stated, " A growing body of research supports the effectiveness of chiropractic, massage therapy, yoga and acupuncture in treating most back pain". This means that these treatments have been effective at times with some people. They used several alternative medicines and have found that they do wonders for them, it helps them relax and get over the post war trauma. Healing touch and guided imagery, which was used by having soldiers listen to a CD that enhanced relaxation and reduced negative emotions, are used to treat PTSD. These treatments focus on the whole person, which helps the individual heal and helps the military by keeping the soldiers performing well.