A Guide to Alternative Therapy Practitioners

A Guide to Alternative Therapy Practitioners

By Sherrie Mcgregor, PhD

Alternative treatments may be suggested by your family doctor or psychiatrist, or by a specialist in a particular type of treatment. The most common types of alternative medical practices are explained in the following sections:

Acupuncture 

Developed in China, acupuncture is based on the idea that an energy force called ch'i flows through the human body. If your ch'i is blocked, as acupuncture theory states, illness results. Modern acupuncturists use tiny, sterile, disposable needles inserted into the skin to undo these blockages. Some also employ heat, (noninvasive) lasers, magnetic devices, or electrical stimulation. You don't have to believe in the ch'i concept to enjoy the benefits of acupuncture. Even the alternative medicine skeptics at the National Institutes of Health admit that it has value for treating chronic pain, and as an adjunct to other methods in the treatment of drug addiction (in fact, NIH is currently funding several studies on acupuncture). Some Western doctors think that acupuncture may work by influencing the body's production of natural opioid chemicals and neurotransmitters. Reputable research indicates that properly applied acupuncture treatments may help heal nerve damage, which may in turn reduce anxiety and mood swings. There have been anecdotal reports from bipolar adults about acupuncture as an effective treatment for manic episodes (actress Margot Kidder, who has bipolar I disorder, claimed to have been successfully treated by an acupuncturist after a much-publicized manic/psychotic episode a few years ago). If you can find a good acupuncturist, it might be a worthwhile adjunct to other types of medical care.

Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine 

Before the advent of modern medicine, people everywhere relied on herbal remedies. India's Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (which also includes acupuncture) are two herbal systems that have been studied to a great extent. The Ayurvedic medicine concept revolves around a life-force called prana, which is comparable to the Chinese ch'i mentioned previously. Ayurvedic practitioners will give you a thorough exam and tell you which "type" you are in their diagnostic system. Then they'll suggest an appropriate diet, lifestyle adjustments, and probably meditation. They may also have various suggestions about cleaning out your digestive tract, and may prescribe herbal remedies. Chinese traditional medicine practitioners take a very similar approach, although their dietary recommendations tend to be less strict than a typical Ayurvedic plan. They may recommend physical and breathing exercises as well as herbs. There is a vast array of Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal remedies available, most of which have not been tested by Western researchers. Some of these concoctions are probably quite effective, while others could be dangerous to your health. Try to find out exactly which herbs are in a remedy, and then check out their known effects in a reference book on herbs. For example, the popular Chinese herb Ma Huang (ephedra) is a common ingredient in traditional "nerve tonics." It is also a powerful central nervous system stimulant, and should be taken with caution. Read more