Health and Psychology

Many people have concerns about traditional medicine.  Although regulatory agencies have been set up to ensure both the safety and efficacy of medications, new side-effects and problems with medication are frequently reported in the news.  People have beliefs about physical illness and wellness which may conflict with traditional western medical ideas.  As a result people often turn to alternatives to western medicine either because they are afraid, they don't believe it is or will be effective in their case, or because it conflicts with their beliefs and values.

Natural medicine has the idea that all living things are connected and that the body is completely capable of healing itself.  A naturopathic physician will use the least invasive and least toxic therapy to attempt to restore the body to health.  The focus will include diet, and spiritual practices to focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.

Treatment may use herbs, accupuncture, essential oils, aroma therapy, or other treatments.

Complementary medicine may include natural medicine as wwell as Ayurveda, Herbology, Homeopathy, Asian Bodywork, Classical Chinese Medicine, Nutrition, Aromatherapy, and Yoga Therapy.  The idea is that the body is not simply a collection of pieces but works together as an integrated unit and medical care should respect this wholistic perspective.  Complementary medicine augments traditional western medicine and may also include psychological, chiropractice or osteopathic treatments.

Alternative medicine tends to look at people as a pulsing electrical system and the focus is often directed toward energy, meridians, and energy flow.  Energy balancing, qi gong, chakra systems, auras, energy transformations, and use of natural elements such as herbs, crystals, healing stones, or other types of natural elements are used.  Alternative practitioners may often be spiritual healers such as shaman or curanderos used to assist with treatment of the spirit.  Often the term alternative medicine is used to incorporate anything other than traditional medicine.