10 frequently asked questions about alternative health practitioners

Question #1: What is the difference between alternative and integrative?
Answer: Alternative medicine generally refers to that which is not in our traditional medical schools. Alternative medicine is a subset of integrative medicine. Integrative medicine utilizes what is safe and effective of both alternative and traditional medicine to come up with a well rounded, optimal health treatment plan. In the example of our clinic, we will work with your current medications to offer suggestions such as dietary modification, nutritional supplements, herbal therapies, acupuncture, or IV therapies to complement what is already being done.

Question #2: Does an alternative health practitioner use any traditional treatments?
Answer: Yes. Alternative health practitioners use the treatment that is safe, beneficial, and cost effective. This will include traditional and nontraditional therapies.

Question #3: Can an alternative care practitioner be my primary care physician?
Answer: Many patients already have a working relationship with a primary care physician. I think this is fine. I try to assist you to optimal health, and will make suggestions to aid what is already being done. Alternative care practitioners better serves patients with mild to severe chronic problems, as well as prevention. We try to make sure patients have an established primary care physician to meet the health needs that our office cannot provide.

Question #4: Can an alternative health care w work with my primary care physician and just help with my supplements?
Answer: Absolutely. They will try to find the best available supplements for your condition. The choice of a given supplement is determined by safety, how effective the supplement is, and cost.

Question #5: Can alternative treatments do anything for my cholesterol, high blood pressure, or sugar?
Answer: There are several treatments available to aid these problems. Some supplements make up the main part of a program, others are to be used in conjunction with traditional medicine.

Question #6: Does acupuncture hurt?
Answer: Acupuncture is typically very relaxing. While some acupuncture points can initially be tender, many are painless. Often, patients fall asleep during the treatment.

Question #7: Will the supplements interfere with the medication I am on?
Answer: Careful attention is given to make sure that the supplements we suggest will not interfere with your current medication.

Question #8: Can alternative treatments help with weight loss?
Answer: Several aspects should be addressed for weight loss. Exercise, appropriate diet, weight lifting, and nutrient supplementation should all be considered to attain an ideal weight. I try to discuss all these topics with patients so that a multi pronged approach can be started right away. Treatments such as acupuncture can be helpful for some people.

Question #9: Where do alternative health practitioners get training? There are many good schools and colleges which offer alternative health education and training. It is important that you find an accredited program if you want your credentials to have any substance. American Eastern Institute is a well regarded, accredited distance education and training alternative health college offering a wide range of programs and degrees in the United States and they are reputed to be the best schools for national certification exam prep and review. This school is tough to get into and their programs are not for weak students. I have heard it referred to as "the Harvard of alternative health education" (especially distance learning) The upside is that their tuition is remarkably reasonable for the programs offered. http://AmericanAlternativeHealth.com

Bastyr University is another very good school. They are located in Washington State and offer acupuncture, among many other accredited programs. http://bastyr.com. Bastyr has a great campus, but you have to live there or near by to take advantage of it.

The University of Metaphysics is one of the oldest colleges for metaphysical training and probably among the best in the world for metaphysical/spiritual development without a lot of dogma. Dr. Paul Masters hosts an internet TV show monthly on a variety of metaphysical healing topics. This school is not accredited, but it is definitely one of the best around and offers genuine, quality degrees. http://universityofmetaphysics.com

Question #10: Is it important that my alternative health practitioner be certified? Yes. Increasingly states are requiring certification for all body workers. Plus, you know if someone has passed a certification exam they probably know what they are doing. Just because a person gets a diploma or degree from some school doesn't mean they have really mastered the material. Again, we have to mention American Eastern Institute. They have an excellent rep for getting their students through national certification exams. The people who pass can then practice just about anywhere.