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Healing
Complementary Alternative
Health Care is here to stay . Or, maybe it never left. When our grandmother
insisted upon drinking chamomile tea for an upset stomach, or warm milk with
honey for a good nights rest , did she know something we didn't know or have we
just forgotten the simple and natural approach to good healthcare?
Pick up a magazine at any
bookstore or even at your supermarket and you will see, flashing before your
eyes, every healthcare topic imaginable: Amazing New Discovery Stops Arthritis,
Rebuild Your Joints With Glucosamine, Use Antioxidant Vitamin C, E and Beta
Carotene to Combat the Effects of Aging, Natural Remedies That Restore Lung
Power, Green Tea Prevents Cancer and Heart Disease, Prescription Drugs Causing
More Problems Than They Solve, Eliminate Life Robbing Poisons and Metals From
Your Body, and of course, everything you ever wanted to know about meditation
and intuitive healing.
The reality is that
consumers are using alternative therapies, holistic and integrative health care,
vitamins, homeopathics, herbal remedies, and mind/body practices in overwhelming
numbers. The consumption of organic foods, and the use of some grassroot
therapies such as Bach Flowers, Aromatherapy, and Essential Oils have reached an
all time high. The increased use of complementary and alternative healthcare
practices, I am sure, is not just a passing fancy. In essence, they work and
there are no invasive side effects involved. Complementary and alternative
healthcare along with alternative medical techniques will reshape healthcare in
the 21st century.
On July 13, President
Clinton announced the appointment of Dr. James Gordon, Director of the Center
for Mind Body -Medicine, as the chairperson of the White House Commission on
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Policy. This commission will be
providing a report to the President on legislative and administrative
initiatives, in order to maximize CAM healthcare to all Americans. "Almost half
of all Americans implement some form of complementary and alternative medicine
as part of their healthcare" said Dr. Gordon. He noted 69% of all cancer
patients are using these therapies and 74% of all cancer patients are interested
in learning more about them He continues to say that within five to ten years
complementary therapies will be part of the care in every major hospital and
clinic across the country, and our definition of medicine will be larger than it
is today. Imagine, for a moment, coming out of a surgery with soft harp music
being piped into the recovery room, vitamin C being added to the intravenous
drip while your massage therapist or your polarity practitioner begins slowly
working specific points on your sore feet. Add a gentle Aromatherapy scent,
designed to help you wake up, without feeling nauseous, and you may have an idea
of what is coming in the future.
Another focus group
concerned about understanding the wide use of CAM therapies was the 11th
International Conference on Women's Health issues. There were surveys and
research projects, presented at this congress, pointing out that most women who
have breast cancer seek alternative therapies. One study found that more than 70
percent of breast cancer patients combine traditional medicine treatments with
alternative therapies like acupuncture, herbs, bodywork, prayer and nutritional
supplements. The study also found that only about a third of the women surveyed
shared their alternative treatment choices with their physicians. But, almost
all the women discussed their medical treatment with their alternative
practitioners. Women said they felt that either their doctors weren't interested
in their alternative treatment choices or they were afraid that their doctors
would respond negatively.
As we look into the future
of our total healthcare system we can predict, without question, that more
centers will emerge that are completely dedicated to a complementary and
integrative approach to wellness and healing. More organizations such as the
Center for Mind- Body Medicine will surface providing educational tools
dedicated to reviving the spirit and transforming the practice of medicine.
Programs, many are currently in place, combining the best of modern science and
ancient wisdom, will emphasize: self help care, empowering all people to
understand their own capacity for healing, looking to more natural healing
choices and how to use the non-invasive therapies as a preventive tool. Yes,
complementary alternative healthcare is here to stay!!!
In the upcoming sections of
Your Health and Healing we will explore unique ideas involving complementary and
alternative healthcare. We will focus on topics including herbal therapies, use
of homeopathic medicine, traditional bodywork therapies such as Thai Massage,
Rolfing, Chiropractic, Shiatsu, Myofascial Therapy , Craniosacral Therapy,
Polarity Therapy, Therapeutic Touch, Touch for Health, Swedish Massage,
Acupressure and Acupuncture. Time will also be devoted to understanding the
widespread use of Energy Medicine and the science of energy healing which is the
basis for Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as Reiki, Polarity, Feng Shui,
Chakra Balancing, Ayurveda, and Yoga. Talking about practical tools to enhance
the quality of your life will give us ongoing topics involving Reducing Stress
in Your Life, Healing Through Song and Sound, Bringing Your Life Into Balance,
and How Drugs Can Rob Your Body of Vital Nutrients.
Reconnect and join us weekly
on our journey of healing, as we build healthy bridges and rediscover that
within every human heart and mind lies the seed of consciousness - the quality
of true healing.
May the longtime sun shine
upon you.
Mary Jo Ruggieri, PhD,
RPP
Director of the Columbus Polarity Institute of Energetic Studies and
Bodywork, Polarity Practitioner in Private Practice at the Columbus Polarity and
Teaches CAM modules at the Ohio State Medical School, Hocking Technical College,
and University of Utah.
© 2000 Columbus
Alive
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