 |
||||
Life In An Alternative-health Universe Integrative medicine is combining the benefits of western medicine with the likes of acupuncture and herbal medicine for a new method of healing 
When Caroline Crouch, Lake Bluff, Ill., was catheterized for urinary retention, she was desperate for a solution after weeks in hospital care. "I was in and out of the hospital seeing doctors, urologists, and no one could tell me what was wrong. They could only tell me my symptoms, which was totally obvious. I couldn't urinate," says Crouch, a lab coordinator at Northwestern University, Evanston. From her frustrations, Crouch sought alternative therapy and came across Dr. Darren Weissman, a Chicago-based doctor who practices his own created holistic therapy called The LifeLine Technique, a healing system that uses muscle testing to identify health problems, mostly linking physical ailments to emotional and mental imbalances. While sometimes calling him "Dr. Darren", Crouch mostly refers to Weissman as her healer. "He saved my life," Crouch says. Holistic health: Say this term and dozen other words will come up like traditional medicine, homeopathic healing or non-conventional medicine. The National Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine uses the eponymous term complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM for short. Its Web site defines holistic health as "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine." The American Medicine Association defines it as "alternative therapy." Encompassing everything from acupuncture, herbal supplements to the spiritual practices of reiki, holistic health is a confusing field of medicine that is becoming more and more prevalent in today's world of healthcare. And as undefined as this "medical other" is, it is just as unregulated, which is why most health experts caution against using holistic treatments and therapies as a primary source of healthcare. While there is a need for more regulation and research, some health professionals are already moving towards integrative medicine - using holistic health practices in today's conventional medicine. Dr. Aaron Michelfelder, M.D, an associate professor of family medicine, bioethics and health policy at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, came across integrative medicine during his residency at Lutheran General Hospital, Oak Brook, Ill. "I did a rotation in alternative medicine and followed patients in different therapies like acupuncture. Some patients were not getting better with western conventional medicine but when approached and treated with the best of multiple traditions, people were actually getting better," Michelfelder says. "There are a lot of conditions where doctors say 'I don't know what to do with that,' so it was neat to see that together, several treatments would provide an answer. It was phenomenal to see." Although Michelfelder is certified in acupuncture and herbal medicine, he cautions those who might drop their physician and only use holistic medicine. "It's good to combine because there are things that western conventional medicine can do. Like vaccines that can prevent diseases," Michelfelder says. "For cholesterol, you need medication and good primary care doctor. For something like blood pressure, it's a potential for integrative treatment. I see quite a few patients with mildly high blood pressure, so I can use acupuncture to potentially lower it without medication." The integration is process is met by both sides. Robert Wallace of Chicago Holistic Medicine says he has worked with cancer patients and has communicated with his patients' other doctors. Wallace says that while conventional medicine mostly concentrates on what is wrong with a single part of the body, holistic medicine treats the body as a whole in health and wellness, and is used to put the body in balance. "Sometimes I speak directly to M.Ds about medication or a patient's progress," Wallace says. "In general, I find an openness with most doctors. We're both working for the patient's best health. It's a collaborative effort, not a competition. I can help lower dosage for medication with my treatments or help the pain of chemotherapy with acupuncture or reiki, but I know my limitations. I don't do surgery or handle traumatic emergency cases. They do." In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its first comprehensive traditional medicine strategy and has continued its research today. Dr. Xiaorui Zhang, a coordinator of traditional medicine for WHO, says integration is important to both conventional and traditional medicine, but the process and regulation depends on the country and culture. "We can see each system of medicine has its advantages and weaknesses. With conditions like heart attack or for chronic diseases like asthma or arthritis, biomedicine is quicker," Zhang says. "Many people around the world use complementary medicine, and we encourage a health system that can provide both therapies and treatments so a patient and a doctor can pick the best option, which may or may not be combination therapy. Each can be used to supplement the weakness of the other." As for the future of medicine, Michelfelder sees integrative medicine as the answer, starting with education and some re-thinking, especially as holistic medicine becomes more popular. "If you went to medical school in France or Germany, you would already be getting training in acupuncture," Michelfelder says. "Integrative medicine won't go away. Even just [the misuse of] supplements can create a dangerous situation. Doctors will have to know if their patients are on supplements and they need to know the side effects. They have to know how a supplement is meant to work or how it interacts with a prescription. More physicians need to be a lot more open and accepting and willing to do the research on other traditions of medicine." (c) CTW Features |
||||
|
||||
