Alternative medicine: pros and cons

Alternative medicine is a generalized term for a large number of treatments that complement traditional medicine and follow integrative medical approaches.

Many folk medicine methods are not accepted in traditional medicine. Even scientific research cannot always explain the phenomenon of healing ability and effectiveness of healers.

However, modern medicine does not deny the right to such an alternative to its own technological and scientific methods. The main thing is that they do not harm the patient.

Usually, folk medicine is used for allergic reactions, diseases of the joints, spine, skin, neurological diseases.

The most famous branches of alternative medicine are:

• Homeopathy;

• Acupuncture;

• Naturopathy.

The heritage of folk healers from different countries represents a deep knowledge of alternative medicine, such as:

• Aromatherapy - treatment with aromas;

• Apitherapy - treatment with bee products;

• Phytotherapy - treatment with medicinal herbs (taking infusions of various plants and herbs has a positive effect on the work of the whole body, cleanses vital organs and blood from toxins, increases the body's defense functions without side effects on the organs);

• Natural therapy - treatment with drugs of natural, mineral, plant origin;

• Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches;

• Manual therapy - biomechanical techniques performed manually to eliminate pain and

• Acupuncture - moxibustion, acupuncture, acupressure and acupressure;

• Stone therapy - massage with various natural stones;

• Hydrotherapy - use of water in the form of local and general baths, massages, showers, wraps, showers for preventive and curative purposes;

• Hunger;

• Sound therapy or music therapy;

• Healthy nutrition;

• Thalassotherapy - treatment with algae, salts, mud;

• Su-jok is one of the methods of Oriental medicine represented by acupuncture.

Traditional Chinese medicine can cure many chronic and acute diseases or relieve associated symptoms, pain or improve well-being.

The high efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments makes it a valuable addition to conventional medicine in the following areas:

• Pain (migraine, arthritis, back and joint pain, neuropathic pain)

• Allergies, autoimmune diseases (hay fever, bronchial asthma, skin diseases)

• Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (gas, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation)

• Urinary tract disorders (tendency to bladder inflammation, bladder cramps)

• Female complaints (menstrual disorders, menopause, postmenopause)

• Mental, psychosomatic (anxiety disorders, fatigue, sleep disorders).

Pros and cons of alternative medicine

Pros: often alternative medicine is considered "natural". Most people who choose alternative medicine are looking for a more natural approach to treating their chronic conditions.

The cons of alternative medicine include: some alternative methods have been studied and have been found to be safe and even effective. Others have not been thoroughly studied and some have even been found to be harmful. What is "natural" does not always mean it is safe. 

Currently, in the field of international medical tourism, therapeutic and wellness programs for rehabilitation and restoration of the body, conducted according to Eastern folk methods, are in high demand. They are also useful for the general enhancement of human immunity.