Alternative medicine therapies have become more accessible throughout the United States in recent years. That begs the question, what is alternative medicine? Simply put, alternative medicine presents a path to wellness focused on patient needs and the underlying causes of chronic conditions, such as arthritis, depression, neuropathy, chronic back pain, and more. Below is your guide to alternative medicine and how it can help you live a fuller, healthier life.
What Is Alternative Medicine?
Unlike the conventional medicine practices prevalent in the United States, alternative medicine encompasses diets, exercises, body therapies, supplements, vitamins, and wellness therapies. These alternative medicine interventions are becoming more popular in Western countries as people seek to:
- Take more control of their health goals
- Avoid long-term complications of acute and chronic disease
- Build healthier immune systems
- Control pain
- Avoid surgery and complex treatments
- Take less medication
- Improve tissue regeneration
- Heal quickly
- Improve nerve and circulatory function
Also, alternative medicine therapies are highly individualized. They focus on the underlying causes for disease and poor physiological function rather than simply managing symptoms.
Alternative And Conventional Medicine Combined
Alternative medicine therapies can be combined with more conventional medical practices. This approach to healthcare is termed “integrative medicine” as it employs features of both philosophies of medicine. For instance, a person who has chronic back pain may use a limited amount of over-the-counter pain medication or prescription anti-inflammatories along with chiropractic massage to control the muscle spasms associated with chronic back pain.
Examples of Alternative Medicine Therapies
Typical alternative medicine interventions include dietary changes and incorporatingvitamins and herbal supplements. Common supplements include valerian, curcumin, and others.
Other evidence-based therapies include cutting-edge technology to treat conditions with few to no side effects or periods of inactivity or downtime. Best of all, many people report wonderful therapeutic results.
Examples of these therapies include:
ESWT
ESWT is extracorporeal sound wave therapy. In this therapy, a low frequency of sound waves is sent into areas of inflammation to break up scar tissue and promote new tissue growth. This type of treatment is effective for treating erectile dysfunction, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and more.
PRP Therapy
PRP therapy, or platelet-rich plasma injection therapy, which uses the patient’s own blood platelets in highly concentrated form to speed healing of soft tissue and muscular damage. This type of therapy is effective at treating orthopedic conditions like IT band syndrome, sprains and strains, tendonitis, tennis elbow, and more.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is an in-office procedure that uses cool red LED light to jump start the healing powers of mitochondria within damaged body cells to heal damaged tissues and nerves. This therapy is a great option for those suffering from neuropathy.
Learn More About Alternative Medicine at NIVA Health
NIVA Health delivers the finest natural, drug-free, and patient-focused care for numerous acute and chronic health conditions. We teach patients how to prevent disease and to live well with a minimum of invasive medical interventions.
Whether you’re looking for ESWT therapy, red light therapy, neuropathy treatment near you, or PRP therapy near you, NIVA Health can help. To find out more about our services, check which of our eight locations is nearest you.Or, you may complete our appointment request form. Your first consultation is free, so don’t hesitate to get the care you deserve today!
