FAQs on Alternative Medicine and Ayurveda discussed here-
- What are complementary and alternative medicine?
- Does alternative medicine work?
- Is alternative medicine effective?
- Is chiropractic alternative medicine?
- How to become an alternative medicine practitioner?
- Does health insurance cover alternative medicine?
- Is alternative medicine safe and effective?
- What are alternative therapies in health and medicine?
- What are examples of alternative medicine?
- What are the benefits of alternative medicine?
- What is the alternative medicine for high blood pressure?
- What is the alternative to root canal treatment?
- What is the best alternative cancer treatment?
- WHO global atlas of traditional complementary and alternative medicine?
- Who uses alternative medicine?
- Why alternative medicine?
- Why alternative medicine is better?
- Why choose alternative medicine?
- Why is complementary and alternative medicine so popular?
- Why patients use alternative medicine?
- What are complementary and alternative medicine?
Complementary and alternative medicines are medical treatments other than the mainstream of treatments. According to World Health Organization, about 70 – 80 % of the world population depend on non-conventional medicines for their health care. The goals of ” WHO Traditional Medicine (TM) Strategy 2014–2023 ” are to promoting the safe and effective use of Traditional Medicine by regulating, researching, and integrating medicinal products, practitioners and practice into health systems. Alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, biologically-based treatments, manipulative and body-based methods, and energy therapies are part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
- Does alternative medicine work?
Alternative medical therapies are widely practised around the world. These therapies are work on different diseases in different ways.
- Is alternative medicine safe and effective?
Alternative medicines have a positive effect on mental and/or physical health. The effect of therapy depends on the type of alternative medicine used. The appropriate usage of alternative medicines by following the instructions provides better results otherwise it becomes unsafe. Therefore one should obey the instructions from the respective medical practitioner during the treatment.
- Is chiropractic alternative medicine?
Chiropractic practice is considered alternative medicine. Here alignment of body parts particularly the spine is corrected using different manipulation techniques. The trained professional in chiropractic is called a chiropractor. This system of alternative medicine is much effective in back pain, neck pain, and other spine-related diseases.
- How to become an alternative medicine practitioner?
Doctors who practice alternative medicine are having graduated from the respective medical system from the approved university.
- Does health insurance cover alternative medicine?
Health insurance for alternative medicines is now available. To get coverage for treatments of alternative medicine, the patient should have undergone treatment in either a government hospital or an institute recognized by the government or the treatment centers recognized by the quality control of India (QCI) and the National accreditation board of health (NABH).
- What are alternative therapies in health and medicine?
The list of alternative treatments includes;
- Ayurveda
- Naturopathy
- Yoga
- Homeopathy
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
- Reiki
- Aromatherapy
- Chiropractic and osteopathic medicine.
- Massage therapy
The description of AYUSH:
Ayurveda is considered a part of complementary and alternative medicine. Effective treatments for many diseases are available in Ayurveda. There is a need to apply new strategies of research methodology in the field of Ayurveda, for making it more evidence-based. Ayurveda follows a deductive type of research; here studies are needed only to confirm the postulated theories. This confirmation can be achieved through the observations.
According to Yoga, an individual has five concentric layers which are known as Kosꞌas. Proper diet and regimen exert a healthy effect on the first three of the concentric layers namely Annamaya kosꞌa, Pranamaya kosꞌa and Manomaya kosꞌa. The regulation of the functioning of these three layers helps in keeping the proper condition of the other two layers such as Vijnanamaya kosꞌa and Anandamaya kosꞌa.
Fundamental principles of Naturopathy are derived from the philosophical systems of ancient India. The basic principle of nature cure is that all healing comes from within the body itself. There are self-curative forces inherent in the human body working towards health and healing.
Unani, like Ayurveda, is based on the theory of the presence of elements in the human body. According to followers of Unani medicine, these elements are present in fluids and their balance leads to health and their imbalance leads to illness. According to Unani practitioners, the failure of the Quwwat-e-Mudabbira-e-Badan, or the body’s ability to maintain its health, may lead to derangement of the normal equilibrium of the body’s akhlat (humors). Abnormal humors are believed to lead to pathological changes in the tissues at the affected site, creating the clinical manifestations of illness.
Sidha system of medicine shares in common with Ayurveda some of the fundamental principles like panchamahabhuta theory, tridosha theory, and saptadhatu theory. The sidhas have developed a discipline called “ kaya kalpa” designed for longevity with complete freedom from illness.
Homeopathy explains the various dimensions of health in terms of vital force. The health condition in which all the harmonious vital operations are going on where vital force is the supreme power, which animates and rules providing normal sensations and functions.
- What are the benefits of alternative medicine?
- It provides care to both body and mind
- Personalized medicinal administration
- The natural way of healing
- Less expensive
- Fewer side effects of medicines
- What is the alternative medicine for high blood pressure?
High BP or hypertension is the high pressure exerted by the blood against the artery walls.
- Primary hypertension occurs due to genetic predisposition
- Secondary hypertension due to the following conditions:
- Thyroid problems
- Kidney disease
- Heart diseases
- Defects in the functioning of the adrenal gland
- Certain medications
- Endocrine tumours (pheochromocytoma)
- Stress
The over sympathetic activity increases blood pressure and contributes to hypertension. The mechanisms of increased sympathetic nervous system activity in hypertension involve alterations in baroreflex and chemoreflex pathways at both peripheral and central levels.
In alternative medicine, blood pressure is managed with diet, exercises, and medicines.
The diet and behavior includes;
- Avoid smoking
- Consume less salty foods
- Avoid heavy exercises
- Oil massage on the head is advised
- Take proper rest
Yoga procedures mentioned for high BP are;
- Nadi Shuddi Pranayam – calms the mind and gets relief from stress-related hypertension
The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, with the body relaxed. The patient has to close his one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.
- Savasana – relax the body and mind
- Balasana
- Bhujangasana
- What is the alternative medicine to root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is indicated in the following conditions;
- Toothache
- Tooth crack
- Gingivitis
- Sensitive tooth
- Tooth decay
The other treatment options are;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- Analgesic
- Antibiotics
- Antibacterial mouth wash
- Tooth extraction
- Treatment of underlying pathology.
The alternative medicines for the above-mentioned conditions are different in different medical systems. For example in Ayurveda, the medicines include;
Ayurvedic local treatment for toothache
- Svedam – local fermentation
- Pain-relieving lepa application (pratisarana)
- Gandusha and kavala – gargling
- Dandadhavana – tooth cleaning
- Gihwa nirlehana – tongue cleaning
Ayurvedic internal treatments for toothache
- Guggulu Panchpalam Tablets
- Khadiradi Gulika
- Triphala guggulu
- What is the best alternative cancer treatment?
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal and uncontrolled cell division occurs and destroys healthy body tissues. Due to the causative factors, abnormal and uncontrolled cell division occurs which further attacks the healthy tissues. If the early symptoms are neglected it spreads to the other areas of the body, called metastasis.
The treatment options are;
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Palliative care
- Supportive care
Alternative cancer medicines are different in different medical systems. For example in Ayurveda the medicines include;
- Panchakarma therapies are effective for relieving symptoms.
- Panchakarma includes vamana(emesis), virechana (purgation), vasthi (medicated enema), nasya (nasal drops).
- Varanadi Ghritam
- Indukantam Ghritam
- Kanchanara guggulu
The diet and behaviour includes;
- Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
- Take proper rest.
- Avoid junk foods
- Avoid smoking and tobacco
The yoga procedure includes;
Nadi Shuddi Pranayam – calms the mind
The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, with the body relaxed. The patient has to close his one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.
- WHO global atlas of traditional complementary and alternative medicine?
The WHO Global Atlas of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine give information at-a-glance on the status of this diverse and expanding field of medicine around the world. It comprises a map volume and a text volume.
- Who uses alternative medicine?
Alternative medicines are popular throughout the world. Researches on alternative medicines are continuing. The main aim of these researches is to convert the alternative medicines and therapies more evidence-based.
- Why alternative medicine?
Alternative medicine implies substitution for conventional medical therapies. The interest in alternative therapies is increasing. As per different survey studies, it was clear that perceived benefits of alternative therapies were considered as potential determinants of their use.
- Why alternative medicine is better?
Alternative medicines are better in terms of their health benefits. Alternative medicine follows a natural way of healing thus, the use of synthetic medicines is less. Due to these reasons, adverse drug reactions are less.
- Why is complementary and alternative medicine so popular?
Alternative medicines are originated as a traditional system of health care. Every country has its traditional health care management. Nowadays these therapies are spreads worldwide along with conventional therapies. It becomes popularised because of its health benefits.
- Why patients use alternative medicine?
- Provides good health benefits
- Patient-friendly therapies
- Less adverse drug reactions
- The natural way of healing
- Positive feeling to both body and mind
- Both preventive and curative care