How To Be Aware of Alternative Treatment Options

There is a long-standing debate in health care between traditional medicine and alternative treatments. The drug industry is much more heavily regulated than alternative therapy and each medication has to be strenuously tested before it can be issued to the public. Because of this, the drug industry claims to be safer for the patient than alternative methods that may be unproven. On the other side, drug critics claim that traditional practitioners frequently over-medicate their patients and that many drugs have dangerous side effects. Be aware of what alternative treatments are available for your condition before you determine which option is best for you.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask your doctor about alternative treatments for your condition. Some physicians are very supportive of alternative medicine while others are less so, but discussing the topic with your doctor is a good starting point.

• 2

  Visit alternative health stores and ask about alternative herbs or treatments. Level of knowledge varies among health-store employees, so ask more than one person.

• 3

  Check websites for the ailment you are researching. Many will have a section on alternative treatments and may provide links for additional information. Many sites, such as the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, recommend using alternative treatments as a supplement to traditional treatments rather than as a replacement.

• 4

  Speak with alternative medicine practitioners. Explain your illness or condition and ask what treatments might be appropriate.