Today's post is written to elaborate on a recent article I came across. The article titled;"How Mainstream Medicine Is Opening Up To Integrative Health" discusses the growing interest in natural and complementary medicine. (Click here to read the full article!) The article also goes into detail about how more and more medical schools are also teaching CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine). CAM used to be on the 'fringe' of western medicine. Relegated to those who were seen as the 'tree-hugger' types. However, due to CAM's persistence, results and society's desire to find more natural alternatives, it's popularity is only increasing over time.
The desire of everyday people to explore these therapies and an underlying sense that using drugs and surgery to treat health problems may not always be the best way is making the medical community take notice. I believe that especially with the availability of information via the internet, people are becoming better informed about their healthcare options. I know from speaking to my medical colleagues that they are seeing more patients who are asking them about; Chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, yoga etc.
Let's take a step back for a moment and explore what CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) really entails. CAM is really a group of health options and therapies that may not fit into the traditional definition of western medicine. In this group such things as; Natural products (vitamins/supplements), deep breathing, meditation, massage, yoga, tai chi, homeopathy, naturopathy and Chiropractic are included. In fact according to the National Institutes of Health, Chiropractic is among the most recognized and common types of CAM. Chiropractic actually trails only; natural products, deep breathing, and meditation as the most popular forms of complementary therapies. (For a full list of the top 10 most common CAM therapies, click here!)
This is actually great news for people because not only does it mean they have growing access to natural and alternative forms of healthcare but it signals the changing tide of traditional medicine. Western medicine was once seen as the only option for healthcare and health advice. However, I believe with western medicine's reliance on pharmaceutical drugs, surgery and the well documented side effects of both, people are exploring their options. But not only are they exploring, they are finding solutions! People are realizing that natural healthcare like Chiropractic can offer a very effective and safe alternative to drugs.
As the article states; "According to the most recent data from the National Institute of Health's National Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, some 38 percent of Americans used some form of alternative medicine in 2007 -- up from 36 percent in 2002. Experts say such figures explain why a growing number of medical schools have embraced what critics deride as "woo-medicine," but proponents of the techniques say integrative medicine represents the future of health care."
If you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, stop by my office or visit my website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!
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