Modern and traditional medicine can co-exist

Many people seek healthcare outside of conventional or modern medical practice. Conventional healthcare is mostly based on scientific research and proof of effectiveness.

Non-conventional healthcare has its own basis, including traditional practices. Such forms of healthcare include complementary medicine, alternative medicine and integrative medicine.

For clarity, when non-mainstream healthcare is used together with conventional medical practice, it’s considered “complementary”.

And when a non-mainstream healthcare is used instead of conventional medical practice, it’s considered “alternative”.

Integrative healthcare involves bringing complementary and alternative approaches together in a coordinated manner.

Many types of non-conventional healthcare exist. Immediate examples are use of natural products, or mind and body practices. Natural products include herbs, vitamins and minerals.

They come in many forms, and are marketed as dietary supplements. Mind and body practices include yoga, acupuncture, meditation, massage therapy, chiropractic, and many more.

Some natural products have been subjected to rigorous research, while others have been used anecdotally.

Some of the products may be helpful, while others may be unsafe. Research on body and mind approaches shows evidence of benefit for some health conditions.

How do you decide if complementary or alternative medicine is for you? You must initially find out as much information as possible about your health condition, and potential treatment options.

You should always consider conventional healthcare as a main option. If you find yourself veering towards non-conventional treatment, you must exercise due diligence.

Seek out a complementary or alternative practitioner with the same diligence as you would when selecting a conventional medical practitioner.

Ask questions about safety, effectiveness, and if any research exists on the products or practice. Don’t ever settle for unconventional healthcare claims about benefits that are either unproven or just plainly dishonest.

There’s no magical cures, secret ingredients, or quick fixes for chronic or even acute health conditions. Claims that a practice or a certain product is a cure for multiple ailments are usually false.

If someone else responded well to the same treatment, it doesn’t mean that you will, it could just be what is described as a placebo effect.

In other words, a belief and expectation that the treatment actually worked, even when it actually didn’t.

There is no doubt that complementary and alternative healthcare is based on sound scientific principles. But equally, there’s quite a lot out there that cannot stand the scrutiny of basic proof of effectiveness.

However, the use of integrative approaches to health and wellness will continue to grow. Ongoing collaborative research already shows vast benefits of integrative medicine in a variety of health conditions.

 

Dr Alfred Murage is a Consultant Gynecologist and Fertility Specialist

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