Beyond Western Medicine - An Introduction to Alternative Medicine

By Jasper Wylde

Ever wondered if there's an alternative medicine that could really help you?

Perhaps you feel that big pharma might not have your best interests at heart?

Sick of suffering the side effects of prescription medicine?

 

Take control of your health and feel truly well by finding a natural option that works for you.

With this thoroughly researched book you can:

• Improve your general health or perhaps find help for a specific condition.
• Educate yourself and avoid the potential dangers of synthetic medicines.
• Take an honest look at the most popular alternative medicines available.

 

Also includes:

• Information on a number of research and case studies.
• Safety issues and precautions to be aware of.
• Useful resources for finding and using professional practitioners.

 

There's a reason that many alternative medicines have been around for hundreds and even thousands of years. There's also a reason why the pharmaceutical industry doesn't want you to know about them.

 

Sick of feeling sick? Get this book now, you owe it to yourself!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jasper Wylde
• Release date: Sep 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223697275

Book preview

Beyond Western Medicine

An Introduction to Alternative Medicine

Jasper Wylde

© Copyright 2023 - All rights reserved.

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Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up to date, reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaged in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

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Table of Contents

Exploring the Path to Holistic Healing: An Introduction to Alternative Medicine

An Introduction to Holistic Healing

What to Expect From This Book

Chapter 1: Types of Alternative Medicine—What’s Actually Out There?

Herbal Medicine

Ayurveda

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Meditation

Aromatherapy

Acupuncture

Reflexology

Naturopathy

Balneotherapy

Biofeedback

Chapter 2: Why Believe the Hype? The Science and Research Behind the Alternatives

Research Studies

Case Studies

Anecdotal Evidence

Summary

Chapter 3: What About Me? Common Health Conditions and Possible Remedies

Chronic Pain

Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

Anxiety and Depression

Digestive Disorders

Allergies and Asthma

Menopause Symptoms

Immune System Support

Cancer Care Support

Chapter 4: Safety First—Precautions and Potential Risks

How to Find a Qualified Holistic Practitioner

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Chapter 5: Holistic Habits—Lifestyle Practices That Support Alternative Therapies

Physical

Nutritional

Emotional

Social

Spiritual

Intellectual

Financial

Environmental

Conclusion: Empowered Healing—Embracing the Future of Alternative Medicine

Summary of the Book

What Does the Future Hold?

References

Exploring the Path to Holistic Healing: An Introduction to Alternative Medicine

Welcome! We live in an age where modern science and medicine can seemingly treat any number of serious illnesses, diseases, and conditions. But sometimes, those treatments have harmful side effects or just don’t work. Holistic healing offers an alternative to that.

I have written this book so that you, the reader, can share the benefits I have discovered from holistic healing and alternative medicine. I am a former sales representative for a large pharmaceutical company. I soon became disillusioned with the industry once it became apparent that it cared only about maximizing profit and not about improving the health of its customers. The final straw came when a close relative suffered injuries in a work accident and ended up addicted to the prescription painkillers he was told to take. The reason he ended up in this position is because of the many underhand tactics routinely practiced by drug companies to increase sales of highly addictive chemicals. Because of my relative’s experience, I realized that I could no longer be part of the pharmaceutical industry. So, I left that industry and now dedicate my time to studying alternative medicines. I am on a mission to inform as many people as possible that there are more effective and healthier options available to anyone who wants to try them.

This book is aimed at anyone who cares about their health and wants to learn more about taking a holistic view of their healthcare. Many readers will have specific health issues that they want to treat but have failed to find their answer in standard medicine or are unhappy with some of the side effects of the medicines they have been prescribed. This book offers readers an honest look at the most effective alternative medicines and treatments that can be used alongside standard treatments. Here you will find out where you can access various alternative healthcare and holistic options and will be presented with evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of alternative treatments, such as case studies, anecdotal evidence, and scientific studies. In the following chapters, the advantages and disadvantages of alternative options will be explored, including possible risks and precautions to take. Advice will be given as to where to find more in-depth information on specific areas of alternative medicine, and the lifestyle practices that can support alternative medicine will be explained, such as stress reduction techniques, good nutrition, exercise, and healthy sleep patterns.

So, read this book if you want to:

●  Find an alternative to Western medicine that can improve your health.

●  Understand and appreciate that there are options that your doctor is unlikely to mention.

●  Be free from the side effects that you are experiencing on your current medications.

●  Realize and appreciate that big pharma does not care about you as a person.

●  Improve your health by finding an ideal balance between standard and alternative treatments.

An Introduction to Holistic Healing

This book provides practical insights, valuable knowledge, and actionable advice to empower readers in their health and well-being journeys. According to Between the Bridges Healing Center (2023), holistic medicine is a branch of healing that focuses on the person as a whole instead of just the treatment of a specific health condition. Due to their whole-body focus, holistic healthcare providers aim to prevent health issues from developing by handling the health of the mind, body, and spirit together. The idea behind a holistic approach is that it is based on achieving balance and equilibrium. Using integrative medicine, holistic practitioners aim to combine alternative practices and traditional treatments to achieve overall wellness.

Holistic medicine approaches healing in a variety of ways, according to the category of therapy to which it belongs. The Between the Bridges Healing Center (2023) identifies 5 separate holistic approaches to healing. These are: (1) energy therapy; (2) natural products; (3) mind-body practices; (4) body-based therapy; and (5) alternative medical systems. The first of these 5 categories, energy therapy, involves the use of electromagnetic, thermal, and/or ultrasonic energy to heal the body by energizing its cells. One example of this kind of therapy is pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. The logic behind energy therapy is that energy flows through, into, and then out of the human body. This therapy then creates a balance of energy within the patient to reduce pain and anxiety.

Another example of a holistic approach to medicine is natural products, which involve the use of natural or plant-based materials to cure patients of their health conditions or prevent health problems from arising in the first place. This is one of the most popular and commonplace variations of herbal medication and aromatherapy. Natural product treatment involves the use of laboratory-produced medicines that are based on biological material (Between the Bridges Healing Center, 2023). Holistic medicine can also involve mind-body practices that intervene through psychological, social, spiritual, and behavioral approaches. Examples include yoga, relaxation techniques, and meditation. Body-based therapy is another form of holistic medicine. This form of treatment uses movement and physical touch to treat patients' pain, sickness, or soreness. Thus, this approach addresses imbalances in the body through massage therapy, manual manipulation, and chiropractic care. Finally, alternative medical systems are used in holistic therapies, such as those used in Chinese medicine, as a non-Western, non-conventional alternative to Western approaches to medicine.

Related to holistic treatments and therapies is complementary and alternative healthcare and medical practice (CAM). This term is used to refer to any treatments that fall outside of mainstream healthcare (NHS, 2022a). Such treatments range from acupuncture and homeopathy to meditation, aromatherapy, and colonic irrigation. According to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is a distinction between complementary and alternative therapies. This is because when a non-mainstream practice is used together with conventional medicine, it is considered complementary, while when such a practice is used instead of conventional medicine, it is considered alternative (Mayer, 2021; NHS, 2022a). However, there can be overlap between these categories. For example, aromatherapy can be used as both a complementary and alternative medical treatment, and both complementary and alternative approaches can be used with the intention of curing a health condition (NHS, 2022a).

People use CAM for a variety of reasons. First, some people are drawn to CAM approaches because they want to spend more time with a medical practitioner. Patients often do not feel heard by their doctors, so they go to someone who understands them and their problems. Also, people often feel that they can personally connect with CAM providers in a way they cannot with conventional healthcare practitioners (Mayer, 2021). CAM therapies are often attractive to those who have tried other forms of treatment but have failed. For example, chronic pain conditions are often misdiagnosed and poorly understood in conventional medicine. For such reasons, people adopt an alternative approach (Mayer, 2021).

As well as this, people often prefer natural remedies due to the side effects that can result from using prescribed medication or because alternative therapies are better at managing the symptoms of their condition. Furthermore, the patient may be looking for an integrative approach to treatment. Biomedical approaches are often necessary for the treatment of certain medical conditions, such as cancer. However, alternative therapies such as yoga or acupuncture can help patients manage the side effects of the aggressive approaches required to treat conditions such as cancer, helping to improve quality of life in some instances (Mayer, 2021).

Interest in natural and holistic approaches to health and wellness is increasing and offers unique perspectives and solutions to health problems. Alternative medicine is not a recent trend. For example, a 1998 study showed that alternative medicine use in the United States had risen from 33.8% in 1990 to 42.1% in 1997 (Astin, 1998). Interest in alternative medicine has increased globally.