Often, insurance covers only the cost of traditional treatments such as doctor visits or prescriptions. At least, that is the case here in the United States. It is only in the last ten years or so that insurance has paid for alternate therapies like chiropractic/ massage therapy. Many Americans use herbal remedies and try a more holistic approach to relieving medical problems but, again, this is not covered by insurance but has to be paid for 100% by the patient. I have heard that acupuncture is a wonderful alternative to some medical treatments but I don't know of a single insurance company that will pay for it. So, sometimes it is a matter of cost. But I will bve honest and say that many Americans want a quick fix as well. If there is a pill for it, many would rather take the medicine than try an alternate method.

I have heard that homeopaths don't have sufficient knowledge on the human physiology. Homeopathy takes too long to relieve a symptom. If I have a bad headache and I need an instant relief a tylenol can do the trick immediately but I can't take an M level homeopathic remedy and wait for 3 days for the pain to get relieved. I think that's where homeopathy gets beaten to modern medicine system not necessarily because homeopathy actually doesn't work. However, I still believe further research can take homeopathy a long way and the remedies are much cheaper as well.

Ancient diagnosis methods will never be as accurate as a modern diagnostic tool like CT Scan or MRI.

I don't have much knowledge on ayurveda and yoga.

I actually am getting set up for a ALternative medicene doctor ..He is booked out 10 weeks so I asked that he set me up and let me know when he can get me in..I know that I use alot of meds and I am tired of that..I will use what I have to like thyroid meds and restless leg meds but want to move away from pain meds, arthritis meds..One of my problems is being so dry with sjorgens it is hard for me to take pills and some liguids are so horrid in taste and smell that I can't get them past my tongue..So though I want to go the Herb route I don't know how much I will be able to do..My son shows me packets you can pour into a liguid but the taste right now kills my stomach..Maybe once i have surgeyr it will be better..

God never intended for us to have so much junk in our systems..

My son is a massage therapist and has taught me how to place pressure between the thumb and fourth finger on palm and apply deep pressure when I have a headache..I can do it sometimes if my hands aren't hurting too much..

I will be picking up on Yoga..I found a great CD yesterday and bought it..I was too sick last night but I mentally played in my mind the stances and the beauty that yoga can bring..It reminds me of a ballet in exercise..I saw it all in my mind so will have to play it out until I can actually do it..

I do have to admit that for quick knowlege an MRI and CT cannot be beat but on the other hand if not read correctly is no better than the closed book upon my desk..I have seen some bad mistakes happen with tests read wrong due to time constraints,negligence or just inability..I did read today where these test machines are not being cleaned properily and they found out of 400 machines 125 carried significant bacteria for strept, the flesh eating bacteria..Now that's scarey as it doesn't matter if it's me or another someone gets sick and thats wrong.... k

its not only this modern medicines that God Almighty has granted for curing...
apart from prayers..many other treatments and therapies too..it may be conventional or may not be proved by modern science except its result!

For Example! in our Kerala, a lot of people got disc prolapse cured only by medicine..especially by consuming Ayurveda herbal decoctions.
only some of the severe patients may hav to undergo physical therapies too. 95% of them are cured and pain free!
we do surgery when its a fatal injury happened in an accident. then no time for slow treatment!

whenever we need immediate treatment/inevitable surgeries we depend modern medicine for quick relief.

For all life style diseases like arthritis,disc prolapse etc many people come to Ayurveda and get relief even where modern medicines fail.
so here in Kerala, when a modern medicine doctor advise surgery,usually they come to take Ayurveda,even though very late!...and get relief.

see...An MRI to confirm Sciatica here now costs 8500 Indian rupees. A poor man get cured by one week treatment without any MRI(Diagnosis by symptom)at that cost,if he is subjected to ayurveda physio therapy too.

Honey-I am learning about the differnet medicens and alternative meds out there..Ayurveda is one I am not familiar with but because of your posts will be reviewing more info..I started this once before and for whatever reason got side tracked..

Modern medicene has it's beauty in helping someone in emergent type needs..For someone with longterm/chronic pain modern meds have not been helpful..My body is not accepting and to the meds I am placing in it..I stay so sick,nauseated and vomiting that I don't know what to do but come off everything and start from scratch..My doctors advise against this but I will be doing it after my surgereis..I have to find something that works not just covers up a problem..k

That's one problem with modern diagnosis that it's very costly and everyone can't afford. I am not against traditional medicine practice but in America it will be very difficult to convince a lot of people to go for them, especially homeopathy.

..and we should, atleast , see the nexus between medicine manufacturers and doctors in making this service sector as a big profitable busines center having no ethics.

we dont forget that - still there are some nice people among them!

I just read where Tolis ? is suppose to be good for swine flu prevention or help once gotten..Is this correct? kd

Tolis?
i think its a name!
do u think that its a medicine!

Tulsi--is what i should have sent..
sorry --placed the wrong name here..

its a good, famous and powerful herb which is commonly used in many medicines of Ayurveda for the deseases connected with cough,flue etc.

Moreover,in a study, when Tulasi leaf powder was fed at the 1% level in normal and diabetic rats for a period of one month to explore the effect on fasting blood sugar, uronic acid, total amino acids, and the lipid profile in serum and tissue lipids. The results indicated a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar, uronic acid, total amino acids, total cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipids and total lipids. In liver, total cholesterol, triglyceride and total lipids were significantly lowered. Total lipids were significantly reduced in kidney. In heart, a significant fall in total cholesterol and phospholipids was observed. All these observations indicate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of Tulasi in diabetic rats.

i am giving you that link below

http://www.springerlink.com/content/k575g7 22080l58t0/

'Alternative' medicine can be spectacularly successful, in my experience, but it is also unpredictable and potentially harmful in the longer term. Proceed with great care, if at all, is my advice.

its true with every medicines

That's true, but it's also highly misleading, even irresponsible, to say so. It's true that even well-tested drugs can be harmful, but these are very much exceptions, and increasingly so. Patients can and should take medications administered and prescribed, as prescribed, without worry, until and unless they feel undesirable side-effects, and even then it may be the best course for them to carry on with a medication. There is far more difficulty, pain and expense caused by patients failing to take prescribed conventional medications than there is by them taking them. Alternative medicines are untested, and can have unpredictable and undesirable effects in the long term, even when chosen by expert advisors. And it happens more than the industry admits. People should try alternatives only when conventional medicines cannot cure.

Herbals are an exception, to some extent. They are the safest of the alternatives, most herbal remedies being too slow-acting to cause much harm, but some of them are hazardous in the hands of non-herbalists. Because herbs can be consumed as part of a normal diet, they can help prevent illness from arising in the first place, and this is perhaps their best use for most people.

you may hav some search on Ayurveda too!

It evidently does not cure nastiness.

nastiness?

I was asking the same thing...nastiness? Praytell what medicine DOES cure nastiness lol? I don't think anyone on this thread was being nasty, so I don't see how calluna's last post is relevant but anyway...
My opinion on alternative medicine versus modern medicine is actually neutral. I think alternative medicine can be just as beneficial as modern medicine, however I do think some medical conditions warrant the use of modern medicine, not alternative medicine. This is not to say that they cannot be used together. I don't think yoga or ayurveda or homeopathy can accurately diagnose, let's say cancer, but an MRI or CAT scan, or even bloodwork/xrays can, however the use of alternative medicine as well as modern diagnostic tools and medicines may be beneficial. I think that there is so much hype over alternative medicines because they are controversial and not regulated, like hospitals and FDA medicines. Yes, some modern medicine can also be controversial, but it is heavily regulated. Herbal remedies should be taken with caution, especially if you do not have any knowledge on the herb or what side effects it may have.
I want to add that just because something is all-natural does NOT mean it is without risks or side effects. Ephedra (heart problems, death), lavender (can be detrimental to asthmatics), even St. John's wart (has adverse effects in some patients with underlying medical issues) and Fish Oil vitamins (some fish oil vitamins contain shellfish parts, which can cause Anaphylaxis in those who are severely allergic to shellfish/shellfish containing products) can be killers. And because the FDA has no control over the manufacturing or studies of these remedies/vitamins, often no warning is put on the label until someone has already died or been affected.

i used a homeopathic remedy fro my acne and it cleared my skin vs. the rentin-A my dermatologist recommended.

i used medication for my high blood pressure and i went to the hospital for leg pains. the side effect of the medication is leg pain for no reason, and could caused liver damage. so i currently use omega 3 fatty acids and it is working fine.

i used prozac for depression and i started to get heart palpitations, so i stopped using it because it scared me.

the Chinese says that Americans doesnt treat the problem we cover it up. and i totally age with that statement.

if i get migraine headaches the doctor prescribed imetrex to lessen the headaches. but i want to know why i get them.
I will take moderen medication if i have to, but i will try my best to avoid it.