Various Health Therapies

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Jul 14, 2000

Health is our most precious commodity and it's important to do all we can to maintain our own "very best health" balance. We're all familiar with the traditional avenues of medical care and treatment. From medical doctors, to specialists who treat only a particular part of the human body, traditional medicine is a many faceted practice and each aspect has its own important place in the scheme of things.

What I'll cover here, though, is some of the alternative or complementary areas of medicine which are less familiar, but no less effective, when used properly. The important thing to remember is that you have a right to have a say in what type of treatment you subject yourself to. The key to the whole thing is: KNOWLEDGE. In order to make an intelligent, informed decision on any subject, including your own health care, you first have to take the time to gain the knowledge you need.

ACUPUNCTURE and CHINESE MEDICINE: Utilizes herbs and acupuncture. Since 1982 there have been three certification programs established by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Most acupuncturists are family practitioners, anesthesiologists, orthopedists, or pain specialists who have first met the national standards of education or have completed a 4000 hour apprenticeship with an experienced acupuncturist in no less than three years. After this training, they must pass the NCCAOM exam to become a certified acupuncturist. This is required in all states except California and Nevada, which have their own exams. For referrals to certified acupuncturists you may contact any of the following:

The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA), 5820 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90036-4500.

The National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance, 14637 Starr Rd SE, Olalla, WA 98359-8554.

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), 11 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314-1595.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE: uses mainly nutrition and meditation. Ayurvedic medicine has a lot in common with Chinese medicine and dates back 4000 years. Both are based on a belief in "life energy" and that each of the five elements govern specific parts and functions of the body. This method isn't widely used in the United States; however, it seems to be slowly growing in popularity as more interest and training programs are established.

NATUROPATHY: encompasses a wide-ranging combination of nutrition, supplements, exercise, stress management, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, manipulation and hot and cold baths. The Naturopathic physician comes very close to being a "blended medicine" practitioner, all on his own. The focus of naturopathy is on "the healing power of nature" rather than the use of invasive surgical procedures.

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