Alternative Medicine or Complementary Medicine. What do you call this world of holistic health?
It actually makes a big difference which phrase you use.
Alternative medicine implies an “us” against “them” mentality. It implies that you should choose one or the other – either get acupuncture, or see a doctor. Do massage, or get surgery. Take herbs, or take medication.
Complementary medicine implies that this world of holistic health has room for both. That you can get a prescription and you can meditate, and we can work together to help you attain better health than you can achieve on your own.
One of the big things I am always preaching – to staff, to clients, to whoever will listen – is that both traditional Western medicine and holistic medicine have a place in your health plan.
A lot of my time is spent helping people figure out which approach fits where. I love spending an hour or two listening to someone’s health history, a luxury that is not afforded to General Practitioners, and being able to coach them in what stuff they need to talk to their doctor about, and what stuff we can help with.
Cancer? Not our department. But the nausea associated with cancer treatment? We can help!
Broken bone? Nope – see your doctor. Reducing the pain and tension in the surrounding areas? That’s what we do!
Just got diagnosed with a disease? You need to talk to your doctor about your care. Want help staying healthy? We’re here!
I once had a client who had recurring migraines, and she was very tired of dealing with what she felt was a broken medical system that wasn’t interested in helping her. I spent two hours listening to all of her symptoms, asking questions, and discovering that each doctor that she visited (GP, emergency room doctor, medicenter doctor) only had a small piece of the puzzle. None of them knew all of her symptoms, because she didn’t know what was important to share. Once I could help her clarify what were the most worrisome symptoms, she now had the information she needed to get her GP to refer her to a neurologist. As for our care, I made it clear we absolutely would not intervene until she saw a neurologist to be cleared – her situation had the potential to be serious, and well beyond our scope. It is important to me that clients are taken care of, no matter who is doing the care.
So do we hate doctors? Absolutely not. We don’t think this is an either/or choice. We think this is a both/and situation, and we want you to feel supported in your health, not divided. I hope more people come together to work on solutions that benefit everyone.