Alternative Medicine: Information & Alternative Medicine Practitioners

Complementary treatment methods are generally gentler. They often aim to strengthen and activate the body’s self-healing powers. Below is an overview of some methods of alternative medicine.

From the field of traditional healing methods of other countries and mind-body therapies, for example:

• Ayurveda
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
• Yoga and other Asian relaxation techniques

From the field of anthroposophic medicine, for example:

• Naturopathy
• Herbal remedies
• Homeopathy
• Mistletoe therapy

From the field of biological therapies, for example:

• Special diets
• Vitamins and dietary supplements
• Herbs, aromatic plant oils (phytotherapy, aromatherapy)
• Detoxification

Other therapies, for example:

• Acupuncture
• Osteopathy, chiropractic therapy
• Immune stimulation and immune-boosting therapies
• Stress reduction, positive thinking, mindfulness exercises, releasing psychological blocks

Acupuncture is a method of alternative medicine © Björn Wylezich | AdobeStock

In most cases, doctors or alternative practitioners take plenty of time for their patients and their individual problems.

Alternative medicine is based on a different understanding of illness and its symptoms. Conventional medicine views illnesses and pain as “enemies” of health. They are to be combated through medication, surgery, and other therapies.

Alternative methods take a different approach: Here, the body and its various parts are viewed as an internal team. The focus is often on the connection between body and mind, rather than on subjugating the physical to the will of the mind.

The model of the inner community is intended to strengthen patients not only in the face of physical ailments. Especially in cases of mental or psychosomatic disorders, a different understanding of illness is meant to help patients cope better with their suffering and improve their quality of life in both the short and long term.

For this reason, alternative medicine is considered particularly well-suited for chronic illnesses. Here, the focus is not only on alleviating symptoms but also on learning to cope with one’s own limitations.

Alternative practitioners do not interpret symptoms as a mere expression of illness. Instead, they view them as important indicators of existing imbalances in one’s living conditions and circumstances.

In cases of frequent strain-related pain in the hands or arms, alternative medicine aims not only to relieve pain but also to restore the lost balance over the long term.

In principle, the range of treatments offered by alternative practitioners includes all pathological changes affecting the body or mind.

However, it is of the utmost importance to note that the more severe and serious the symptoms are, the more important it is to also consult a conventional physician. Cancer patients have a higher mortality rate when alternative methods are used exclusively instead of conventional treatments.

Natural healing methods cannot, therefore, replace medications or surgical procedures. Rather, they are used as complementary treatments for serious illnesses.

Up to 90 percent of cancer patients turn to complementary medicine. For this reason, the German Cancer Society developed a guideline. It evaluates complementary therapies from a scientific perspective. This is intended to enable oncologists to provide cancer patients with well-informed guidance.

In this way, patients benefit not only from the generally effective treatment methods of conventional medicine but also from the positive effects

• of complementary methods,
• the close doctor-patient relationship, and
• the alternative medicine approach focused on quality of life and integration.

Naturopathy primarily relies on natural resources such as

• herbs,
• certain foods, or
• dietary supplements.

For this purpose, a specific diagnostic process is usually carried out. It identifies deficiencies in the patient that cause the symptoms, and correcting these deficiencies alleviates the symptoms. Methods used include, for example,

• blood tests,
• a detailed medical history interview, or
• dowsing or other methods that respond to the body’s feedback.

The goal is to determine what the patient needs.

Manual therapies such as osteopathy or chiropractic therapy aim to release energy blockages in the body. This is intended to restore the body’s natural balance.

Other methods, such as Reiki, also utilize the body’s natural energies to provide strength and boost vital energy.

In alternative medicine, techniques designed to strengthen the unity of body and mind also play an important role. These include, among others,

• yoga,
• Tai Chi,
• meditation, and
• other relaxation techniques.

Alternative treatment methods can be studied as early as during medical school and thus integrated into the training. However, to acquire comprehensive knowledge in a specific area, continuing education and the attainment of certifications are generally required.

In addition to licensed physicians, naturopaths often offer various alternative treatment methods. Unlike physicians, naturopaths do not require state licensure. However, under the Naturopathic Practitioners Act, they must also demonstrate their qualifications by passing an exam.

Alternative treatment methods are a valuable addition to the care of many conditions. They offer additional ways to improve quality of life. The focus is usually on the person as a whole. Illness is not seen as something that must be defeated, but rather as something that can be integrated into life.