25 Oct What Are Alternative Health Services?

Alternative health services are the services that are not offered through traditional western medical practices. They cover a wide scope of practices but mainly focus on promoting health through the balance between the body, spirit, mind, and the environment. There are three basic categories of alternative healthcare services. There are:

• Alternative healthcare to replace conventional medicine
• Complementary healthcare used together with standard medicine
• Integrative healthcare, which combines different approaches to health.

Western medical practices have seen some good in alternative health services and are incorporating them into their routines. 

Popular Alternative Health Services

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has its origin in traditional Chinese medicine. The alternative health services are provided by acupuncturists. The acupuncturist sticks thin, sterile needles to stimulate definite points around the body. The objective is to put in motion, the natural healing process of the body. 

According to studies, acupuncture is effective in the treatment of different conditions, such as back and neck pain, anxiety, insomnia, depression, nausea, and infertility, among others.

Chiropractic Medicine

These alternative health services focus more on the structure of the body, especially the spin. The professionals that specialize in this treatment technique are chiropractors. They use various techniques to manipulate the spine and other parts of the body to bring them into alignment or original form. 

The objective of chiropractic medicine is to enhance body function, minimize pain, and help the body naturally heal itself. Different research works have been done on the positive effect of Chiropractic medicine on low back pain. 

Other studies also reveal that this technique can be very helpful for different health conditions, such as neck pain, headaches, joint problems, and other disorders in the lower and upper body parts.

Herbal Medicine

These alternative health services use different parts of plants, including the roots, flowers, leaves, or berries to heal the body. World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about 80% of the population in the world uses herbal medicine to treat different ailments.

Studies have also shown that specific herbs are very effective in the treatment of different health conditions, including chronic fatigue, premenstrual syndrome, and pain, among others. The herbal medicine industry is very huge with numerous manufacturers producing and selling herbal supplements for different ailments. 

However, it should be noted that some of these supplements are sold without being certified to be effective or even safe for human consumption. Therefore, it is recommended that you discuss with your healthcare practitioner before you use any of them.

Ayurvedic Medicine

This is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. It has its origin in India and it can be traced to as far back as 3,000 years ago. Ayurvedic medicine is still widely practiced today in India and it is gradually spreading across different continents. This alternative healthcare service relies on unique practices in combination with special diets and herbs to treat medical conditions. 

Some studies have revealed that some Ayurvedic products can be hazardous to human health because of some toxic metals and minerals, such as lead, that are found in some products. More clinical trials and research are still ongoing to support the efficacies of Ayurveda medicine.

Naturopathy

This is another alternative health service that involves different treatment options to treat ailments. It includes the use of nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, behavioral changes, and homeopathy for the treatment of different health conditions. Naturopathic practitioners often have training in both alternative and conventional medicines.

Alternative health services are significantly gaining ground in the world. Millions of people are looking for alternative ways other than the conventional medical treatment to treat an ailment. Before opting for alternative health services, it is recommended that you talk with your healthcare practitioner.