When conventional is not enough: Exploring the world of alternative medicine

Hectic work schedules, demanding careers and pressures of the family, these are the perks of having an urban lifestyle. A fast-paced life leaves no room for anything else and as a consequence we tend to relegate our health. Given this, it is quite obvious to search for quick fixes. What better why than to find solace in allopathy? Majority of the population looks at conventional medicine in time of sickness. All one needs to do is pop a pill and spring back to action. Although an amazingly swift way of finding cure and relief, we tend to forget its temporary character. Sure, popping a pill takes care of the symptoms but the truth is that it doesn’t treat the underlying cause.

A complete antithesis to allopathy, alternative medicine includes a broad spectrum of practices. It exists in all cultures to some degree and terms such as traditional medicine, indigenous medicine or folk medicine etc. are used to describe such practices. As a result a single definition of alternative medicine is difficult to derive. In general terms, alternative therapy is all the modalities, techniques and available approach to healing that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine. Staunch followers of conventional medicine are of the view that alternative therapies to be based on unscientific belief systems or philosophies. They believe that alternative ways may incorporate spiritual, metaphysical, or religious underpinnings, untested practices, and premodern medical traditions. But, along with newly developed approaches to healing, the evidence of contemporary use of alternative therapies can easily be found. Utilizing mainstream medicine for diagnosis and basic information, while turning to alternatives for what they believe to be health-enhancing measures.

Over the past few years there has been an ever increasing interest in the alternative modes of therapy. The reasons for disenchantment with the conventional western medicine are not difficult to see. With rising costs of prescription medicine and increasing number of reports about the dangers and side effects associated with prescription drugs, many consumers are now seeking alternatives. The popularity has recently undergone resurgence and people are now recognizing the advantages of using alternative medicine. One of the major advantages is the approach to whole body healing and treatment of the underlying causes of diseases and conditions. This holistic approach as opposed to treating just symptoms yields permanent results and can significantly improve an individual’s overall health and quality of life. Natural treatment allows the human body to heal on its own while significantly reducing side effects. Dating back to thousands of years, these unconventional ways of healing have different interpretations for different people, depending on the particular country, culture or religion. So for Chinese it is acupuncture, for the French, magnetic healing; for the Germans, Heilpraxis; for the English, Herbalism; for India, Ayurveda with Siddha being widely practice in the southern part of the country; for Japan, Shiatsu etc. The famous ones include Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Magneto therapy, Shiatsu, Herbalism, Meditation, Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies, Chromo therapy, Diet therapy, Hydropathy and Reiki. The less known therapies include prolotherapy, craniosacral, gem, sunlight, color and massage therapies, cupping, dowsing, electropathy, heliotherapy, iridology, pyramid healing, and radionics. With such exhaustive list, alternative medicine is surely giving competition to allopathy.