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Alternative Medicine
An alternative medicine means that it is a system within
itself and complete. For the most part one can use the alternative medical
system for almost all their healthcare needs. A complementary modality
works in conjunction with another medicine.
Examples of alternative medical systems are allopathic (Western) medicine, Chinese
(Oriental) medicine and ayurvedic medicine. Examples of complementary modalities
would be chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, energetic healing, etc. However,
the conotations of these terms, complementary medicine and alternative medicine,
are different. Anything other than allopathic medicine has been classified as
an alternative medicine. As a result, Chinese medicine -- a complete medical
system, and therefore, an alternative medicine -- is placed in a category with
massage, bodywork, etc., which are modalities, not medical systems, and are not
complete. By placing Chinese medicine in the same category as these modalities,
the depth and breadth of this ancient medicine may go unrecognized.
Complementary Medicine
Complementary medicine is in fact, not medicine, but
a collection of modalities. A complementary modality completes the overall
needed therapy. It doesn't stand alone as a complete medical system.
In actuality there is no one system that meets all health needs. However,
one can choose to complement one approach with another. An example would
be to opt for the necessary surgical procedure but assist the healing
process with acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy. Sometimes pharmeceutical
drugs are an absolute necessity but a qualified Chinese herbalist can
help ameliorate the side effects of the drugs with herbal medicine.
In China, allopathic medicine and Chinese medicine work side by side
in the hospitals, complementing each other and coming together as two
very powerful medical systems that can meet the health needs of their
patients in the most complete fashion. Hopefully, we'll see this combination
of alternative medicines working together in U.S. hospitals some day.
Alternative Medicine Resources
Articles on Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture
for pain: Hands, down, this was the No. 1 recommendation CNN.com/health
Your path to radiant health...
Lorraine Harris's Asheville acupuncture clinic is conveniently located
in South Asheville. Ms. Harris is a licensed acupuncturist and
Chinese herbalist and Nationally Board Certified Practitioner of Chinese
Medicine. She is the only fertility specialist in Western North Carolina (WNC)
offering The Fertile Soul Method™ and Mei Zen™ facial rejuvenation
program.
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Dr. Andrew Weil wasn't sure exactly how he hurt
his knee; all he knew was that it was painful...Weil turned to
the ancient Chinese medicine practice of
acupuncture. "It
worked -- my knee felt much better," says Weil.
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