Rx Coachella Valley: A look at the benefits of “alternative medicine”
U.S. drug sales are expected to approach $600 billion by 2021, but not every physical ailment requires a pill.
History shows that ailing Americans have an affinity for things that help them feel better. A century or so ago, local newspapers carried ads for all sorts of elixirs and tonics to cure the ailments of those times. Cultures progressed for millennia without a pharmaceutical industry. Acupuncture goes back to a time of sharpened bones used instead of needles. Herbal remedies date to early civilizations.
Of more recent vintage, the Affordable Care Act raised the status of what has become known as CAM, complementary and alternative medicine. And federal health law bars insurance companies from discriminating against providers who have a state-recognized license. Acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors and others believe that means them.
“There are things that can be helpful, you just have to have a little bit more patience,” said Diane Waddell, a former hospital alternative medical executive.
Waddell worked for years within a traditional health-care system but focusing on less traditional treatments.
“Taking a little more time, starting slowly in the morning doing some exercises such as yoga, stretching, getting out and walking, just being spiritually centered, and moving from there,” she said.
“The body healing itself” seems to be a theme running through many aspects of alternative medicine.
“I’m a big believer that the body has this innate intelligence,” said Dr. Crystal Green, a chiropractor.
Dr. Green has a practice that focuses on holistic methods of healing.
“We can correct a lot of things just with a little support nutrition-wise or essential oil-based or taking out things that are influencing it, such as alcohol or if you’re sensitive to a certain bread,” said Dr. Green.
Lynn Jenkins has worked as a massage therapist for nearly a decade, helping work out the pains of too many people leading sedentary lifestyles.
“They’re going to come away with more, when you de-stress and get rid of that tension, just a general feeling of well-being,” said Jenkins.
Those who have dealt in alternative medicine do not ignore the need for doctors or hospital procedures or assorted drugs.
“Everyone sees them as separate, traditional medicine versus alternative medicine. I would love to see in our community the melding of the two, where I work with people’s primary care on things I can help with,” said Dr. Green.
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