Dr. Bombay from the ‘60s sitcom “Bewitched” treated his witch patients (and an occasional non-witch) with a combination of spells, miracle pills and other unconventional treatments.
If that’s your reference point for non-mainstream medicine, it’s time to adjust your thinking. It’s come a long way in the past several decades, retro TV episodes aside. Sound therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis and other clinically tested therapies can be valuable tools for caregivers and patients, widening treatment options. The alternative has become mainstream, according to two University Hospitals doctors who specialize in integrative medicine.
Today, 40 percent of Americans use some form of complementary or non-mainstream medicine, says Dr. Francoise Adan, director of University Hospitals Connor Integrative Health Network.
Acupuncture, massage, music and other therapies are proven and increasingly popular complements to traditional medicine. But with so many treatments to choose from, how do you know what works and when to use it?
We asked Dr. Adan and Dr. David Miller, UH’s medical director of pediatric integrative medicine, to give us an overview.
Integrative health looks at all treatment options, drawing on a wide range of therapies that supplement conventional treatments. Dr. Adan and Dr. Miller say that patients who work within a healthcare system have the advantage of integrated care, using multiple therapies and practitioners, all coordinated by a physician. An added advantage is that the practitioners’ licensing and certifications have been vetted by the hospital system.
Patients should be aware that some practitioners work outside their scope of expertise, Dr. Adan says. Dr. Miller adds that a therapist should never discourage a patient from connecting with their primary care physician or a healthcare system.
The same holds true for physicians, Dr. Adan says. The best situation is when a physician has the knowledge, ability and willingness to consider one or more complementary therapies to provide comprehensive, integrated care to a patient.
Says Dr. Miller, “The more severe and dangerous the condition is, the more you want to connect with a healthcare system. But if you have more of an achy, long-term situation, then you have more latitude.”
An example is sound therapy. It doesn’t cure cancer but it can help some people relax and manage stress; both good tools when dealing with a serious diagnosis. “And it won’t hurt you,” Dr. Miller adds.
He warns against allowing practitioners outside of healthcare systems to inject “medicines”’ or untested substances into your body. One way to assess therapies is to determine if the treatments are covered by private insurance or Medicare.
Dr. Adan says that people don’t always realize that many forms of non-mainstream treatments have a solid scientific basis that can enhance clinical outcomes while sometimes lowering the cost of care.
“There is a risk to having divided care. It’s good (when) everyone knows who’s doing what to you and that it’s coordinated. Everybody should be in communication.”
Marie Elium is considering hypnosis to treat her snake phobia. She prefers the first Darrin Stephens in “Bewitched.”
Sniff, Move, Think, Listen
What Therapy Is It?
ACUPUNCTURE – Acupuncture is the practice of putting thin needles into the skin at certain parts of the body. It’s done to ease symptoms linked to many diseases.
ART, DANCE & MUSIC THERAPIES – These expressive arts therapies help relieve stress, anxiety and pain.
AROMATHERAPY – Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants (flowers, herbs, or trees) as a complementary health approach.
AYURVEDA – Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine based on the idea that imbalance leads to disease.
BIOFEEDBACK – This is a mind–body technique that teaches patients to use relaxation and other techniques to control and improve their physiology.
BODY MOVEMENT – Tai chi and yoga are two forms of non-aerobic movement and controlled breathing that can be practiced to reduce stress and anxiety.
CHINESE MEDICINE – Chinese medicine traditionally uses acupuncture, tai chi and herbal products
CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE – Chiropractic medicine is based on the link between the spine and how the body functions.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS – Adding anything to your regular diet to improve your health or healing is considered a dietary supplement.
HYPNOSIS – Hypnosis is an altered, relaxed state of mind. It is often used to help learn to control bad habits, pain, and stress.
IMAGERY – By creating images in the mind, you can reduce pain and symptoms linked to your condition.
MASSAGE – Massage can help both physically and emotionally. The rubbing soothes sore muscles and releases tension in the body and mind.
Sources: University Hospitals, National Institutes of Health
