(ThyBlackMan.com) We hear a lot of different phrases to describe wellness. Alternative medicine, naturopathic medicine, holistic medicine, and more. What does this mean, and how do they differ?
They’re all pathways to feeling better, and today, alternative and traditional medicine converge to create integrative medicine, which is holistic, or complete. These modalities combine to create treatment plans for patients that are fully customized, leading to more positive outcomes.
Where Medicine and Mindfulness Meet
No one would discourage you from seeing your regular medical practitioner when you’re sick or in pain. But when good health isn’t
achievable in a few days, and the path to wellness is a difficult task, it’s always beneficial for medical professionals to expand their awareness beyond your immediate condition.
How are you dealing with your condition on an emotional level? What lifestyle factors are impacting your condition and your ability to get well? Depending on the answers to these questions, your provider may choose to complement traditional modalities with acupuncture, massage, dietary adjustments, chiropractic adjustments, and more.
One line of thinking that propels these methods forward has a lot to do with comfort, control, and by extension, happiness levels.
Studies show that getting well is easier for people who are optimistic, hopeful for the future, and feel that they have some control over their health. Implementing things like dietary changes puts a fraction of control into the patient’s hands.
Marijuana: Functional and Holistic
There are some treatments that can bridge the divide between alternative and traditional medicine, and marijuana is a great example of this. In some cases, it even alleviates the side effects caused by traditional medicine, as seen in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Modern, legal use of marijuana sees people from all walks of life using the herb for many functional, practical purposes that happen to improve their lives holistically.
Although a relatively small percentage of studies focused on marijuana actually explore the medicinal benefits, it has been more than 40 years since it was discovered to alleviate building pressure in the eye, characteristic of glaucoma patients.
More recently, society has become aware that cannabidiol, a cannabinoid found in marijuana, is very effective at reducing the number of seizures children with conditions such as Dravet’s experience.
We additionally have those that find success in treating mood disorders with cannabis. It’s not necessarily that such patients are cured by marijuana, as they may still manage depression or anxiety. However, the use of the medicinal herb increases that optimism factor so necessary on the road to recovery. Patients become more receptive to practicing learned coping techniques, and are more likely to notice – and become encouraged by – improvements and successes.
It’s also worth noting that health networks such as https://aleafiainc.com/ have dedicated their staff and facilities to identifying strains and delivery methods that are most appropriate for that unique patient, as well as ensuring patients have a clear understanding of the treatment.
When it comes to medicine, we never need to choose between traditional and alternative. With integrative medicine, we take the best from both worlds to customize treatments for patients that not only heal, but transform.
Staff Writer; Ron Moore
