The Best of Both Healing Worlds
By Yvonne Perry
The medical world today is experiencing a shift in the way it treats health and disease. While alternative therapies were quickly dismissed by physicians as worthless or dangerous just a decade ago, alternative medicines are now beginning to earn mainstream attention. Physicians are beginning to realize that there is a relationship between a person’s emotional, spiritual and mental state of mind and their physical health. Many conventional doctors are beginning to integrate a holistic approach to their practice by addressing environmental, psychological and spiritual aspects of the patient.
Biomedical, or modern-day medicine, relies heavily upon curing disease through the use of chemically compounded pharmaceuticals. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses a more natural approach that includes herbal supplements, vitamins, acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, guided imagery, homeopathic treatment, prayer, chelation therapy, massage, biofeedback, music therapy, exercise and fitness, hypnosis and other mind-body techniques and energy modalities that work with the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Years ago if a person was using CAM therapies, he or she might have been reluctant to tell their medical doctor about it for fear of being shamed or lectured about the dangers. Additionally, physicians had little knowledge then about the alternative therapies and supplements their patients were using. Fortunately things have changed and a number of doctors are referring patients to some of the more prominent and well-known forms of CAM therapies that they believe are useful or effective.
In 1997, Harvard Medical School reported that more than one third of the U.S. population was currently using some type of CAM therapy. But, that was eight years ago. In 2001, The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that almost 70% of the population has at least tried some sort of CAM therapy along with conventional medicine. That trend is on the rise and will continue to affect future health care delivery, making an even greater demand for CAM therapies. This means that conventional doctors must be educated in the use of these modalities in order to know what their patient’s are talking about.
Why do people seek alternative and complementary medical care? It is believed that CAM would improve health when used in combination with conventional medical treatments. Many people try CAM when conventional medical treatments have not helped or are too expensive. Some people are just plain curious, and others try CAM because a conventional medical professional suggested it.
Some health insurance policies now cover chiropractic and massage as part of patient care, and CAM courses are appearing in the curriculum as part of academic medical education. Hospitals such as St. Thomas in Nashville, Tennessee are affiliating with alternative health and fitness facilities such as the YMCA of Middle Tennessee to integrate the two practices.
Medical professionals and anyone who seeking ways to look at health and wellness from ones’ thought patterns, our connection with nature and the soul’s purpose will benefit from a conference facilitated by Antara Center in Nashville. Building a Bridge to Healing: Integrating Spirituality as a Component of Medicine offers a program for anyone interested in this concept from September 30 – October 2, 2005. Dr. Gregory L. Miller will return for the second year to lead the conference. Dr. Miller is currently on staff at Toledo General Hospital, and working with the University of Michigan’s integrative healing center. Miller is Board Certified in Osteopathic, Internal, Emergency, and Holistic Medicine and will be presenting along with Dr. Alan Davis and Christina Pratt. Medical professionals may receive CMEs for attending the conference. More information online at www.antaracenter.org
Yvonne Perry is a public speaker and freelance writer who specializes in assisting people on their spiritual path. She has self-published a humorous book about how she left organized religion to find a path that resonated with her inner truth. She has written five children's books that encourage young ones to believe in themselves. In April 2005, Yvonne released More than Meets the Eye, a book about near-death experience, spirit communication. www.yvonneperry.net
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