The size of the global complementary and alternative medicine market was approximately $82.27 billion last year. The expectation is that it will continue to grow steadily over the next few years.
Alternative or functional medicine is becoming a viable option for many patients. With the side effects and cost of drugs, many people are weighing their options and doing more research to find out why alternative medicine is better.
There are many factors you may want to look at when considering which is best for you. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. Deciding will ultimately be a personal decision. You should research both options to make a more informed decision.
If you’re curious and want facts on whether alternative medicine is a healthier, more cost-effective option for you, read on to find out more.
What Is Alternative Medicine?
Alternative medicine refers to several medical therapies that are not used as a traditional form of medicine. These include the following:
Herbalism
Herbalism or herbal medicine involves using medicinal plants and their extracts to treat medical ailments. Some examples of powerful medicinal plants include chamomile, turmeric, lavender, evening primrose oil, grapeseed extract, flax seed, tea tree oil, and echinacea.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the insertion of thin needles into various points of the body to treat pain. It is believed that these points correspond to specific sensory feelings, organs, and emotions. The focus of acupuncture is the restoration of positive energy flow throughout the body to eliminate pain.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy uses extremely diluted substances, usually minerals or plants, to treat ailments. These stimulate the healing process. Hence the reason for the premise of this practice is the belief that the body can heal or cure itself.
Chiropractic Techniques are often thought to be a type of traditional medicine because of the levels of study and degrees practitioners require to become licensed and certified. However, it is an alternative form of medicine that treats ailments or injuries involving the musculoskeletal system.
There are five basic chiropractic adjustments that practitioners use to do this:
- Gonstead technique
- Diversified technique
- Activator technique
- Thompson technique (also known as drop table)
- Flexion distraction
A Combination of Mind and Body Techniques
This combination can include mediation, relaxation, yoga, visualization, hypnotherapy, and talk therapy.
These alternative therapies provide variations of treatment that you can use to treat the same ailment. People choose to use alternative medicine rather than traditional medicine for a variety of reasons. Ultimately it comes down to a personal choice but before you make the leap, it’s important to understand functional medicine vs traditional medicine.
5 Reasons Why Alternative Medicine Is Better
Here are some of the reasons people consider alternative medicine better than traditional medicine.
1. It’s Natural
All the elements used in alternative medicine are natural. It provides a safe way to treat a variety of medical illnesses and disorders. These treatments are non-invasive and gentle on your body.
These can include natural treatments such as essential oils or herbal teas, and a wide variety of other therapies. These can clear up the issue, and because they’re natural, you won’t be putting man-made chemicals into your body.
2. Less Dependency
Many common prescriptions used in traditional medicine can help your medical issue, but they can also become habit-forming. Alternative treatments are all-natural and therefore don’t cause dependency.
They also don’t have many of the side effects present in common prescriptions. Some of these medications have so many side effects that they often require you to take additional drugs to combat the side effects.
3. It Treats the Problem
Alternative medicine targets the cause of any disease or pain directly. Alternative medicine practitioners focus on the root of the problem and work to alleviate it.
Traditional medicine often treats the symptoms of the problem. This may alleviate pain temporarily, but because it doesn’t get to the root cause of the problem, the symptoms will eventually return.
4. It’s Holistic
Alternative medicine provides a holistic approach to treatment. It not only focuses on treating the disease or pain but looks at other factors in a patient’s life that may affect their health. These can include stress, sleep, and nutrition.
All of these can affect your body. Alternative medicine practitioners will seek to create a health plan that encompasses all these facets. Often, traditional medicine can be myopic when it comes to treating a specific ailment.
5. It’s Flexible
Alternative medicine can provide you with various options. You can choose one that your most comfortable with, without worrying about side effects or drug interactions. It allows for a more flexible treatment plan that can change along with your lifestyle.
Traditional medicine is more stringent. Consider when you take an antibiotic and you’re advised to use the entire prescription. The consequences of doing otherwise will make you think twice about changing your mind if you’re no longer comfortable with your treatment.
Treatment That Provides You With Options
If you’re wondering why alternative medicine is better, consider the meaning of the word alternative. It means other possibilities or choices. This sums up the benefits of the treatment that uses this word.
Alternative medicine not only provides you with a variety of options for treatment. There are also no adverse consequences to changing your course of treatment. It’s natural and non-invasive.
It’s important to choose medical options that suit or change along with your lifestyle. To learn more about the best way to maintain good health, check out our website right now!
