The Disadvantages
As beneficial as many alternative treatments may be — through reducing the costs of health care and even claiming, as some outrageous alternative healers do, of being capable of curing cancer — the truth is that many people rely on alternative healing more than they should. One of the biggest disadvantages is that there are few scientific studies to back up the many claims that alternative treatment modalities assert, while several studies actually contradict their claims of effectiveness. Therefore, potential clients shouldn’t seek out “miracle cures” as alternatives to conventional treatments in cases where modern medicine provides proven and successful options.
When reaching for alternative preventive medicine one must bear three important things in mind: the treatment may not target the true cause of the problem; some treatments can be harmful unless undertaken with careful supervision; and, most alternative treatments may not be covered under health insurance. For people with serious illnesses, such as cancer, alternative treatments can be especially dangerous.
Alternative health is not a substitute for immediate cancer treatment through conventional medicine such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In fact, clinical trials have proved that people with cancer do not benefit from alternative treatments. For example, one trial used shark cartilage extracts alongside standard lung cancer treatment, and there was no effect on the survival rate of the individuals within the control group.
The passing of Steve Jobs is a prime testimony to the ineffectiveness of certain alternative approaches. Jobs chose to pursue alternative health treatments instead of undergoing surgery to remove his pancreatic tumor. Despite alternative treatments the tumor continued growing for over a year and in the end had to be removed surgically.
Understanding The Financial Impact
As a whole, the mounting cost of health care in the U.S. is staggering, closing in on $3 trillion every year. This is more than double what it cost 30 years ago, when 85 percent of costs went to treating chronically ill patients. In spite of increasing costs over the last 30 years, chronic disease rates have remained the same. The solution lies in finding other effective treatments, such as those that alternative healing might offer. Turning to alternative preventive medicine and altering dietary and exercise habits as well as using preventive screenings could drastically reduce the overall health care costs within the U.S.
Hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic of Ohio, one of the top hospitals in the U.S., recognizes the need to address alternative treatment options, and has implemented Chinese medicine such as herbs and acupuncture as part of its treatment regimen for certain chronically ill patients. In this effort, departments such as neurology, oncology, and rheumatology have offered alternative treatments to their patients alongside conventional regimens.
Since alternative preventive medicine tends to be cost-effective, implementing options into insurance policies could also save money for companies, families, and even individuals. In addition, alternative health practitioners could see an increase in patients as treatments become more available. Ultimately, this means that covering certain alternative healing options through insurance could boost business for practitioners and reduce overall insurance costs for patients.
Arm Yourself With Knowledge
Alternative healing provides many different options to help facilitate modern medicinal treatments for various conditions. Some types of treatment are more scientifically viable than others, but all should be approached with great care and adequate research. Often, the best method is a mix of both traditional medicine and proven scientific treatments that complement each other. Whichever options you choose, always stay informed on the latest developments in treatment and of any potential risks with alternative medicine. Knowledge is your tool, and the more you apply it, the easier this difficult decision will be to make.
This article is updated from its initial publication in Brain World Magazine’s print edition.
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