What is Alternative Medicine?
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Alternative Medicine is the science of HEALING and PREVENTION of disease.

Alternative medicine can also be defined in terms of a choice. When the patient feels that he/she has exhausted all other known avenues and is seeking the simple answers to what seem to be complex problems.  Then they make a choice, to EMPOWER themselves, to make better healthcare choices.

We, here at L.E.A.P. Arizona, Inc., are a part of the movement challenging the mainstream. According to a Harvard study, one-third of all Americans have tried Alternative Medicine, and use it on a regular basis.

Did you know that a study that surveyed American women, published in SELF magazine indicates that 83% of them have used some form of Alternative Medicine and 75% of them were satisfied with the results.

The NIH, Alternative Medicine states that "the prevention and treatment of many common degenerative diseases often needs no more than vigorous life style changes, some easy-to-follow dietary guidelines, and the appropriate use of nutritional supplements.

They say that the history of scientific discovery shows that almost every new step was opposed by the very people who should have welcomed it.

Don't be afraid of "alternatives."...but embrace them with CAUTION.  EMPOWER yourselves to make better healthcare choices. 

READ labels......reading labels could save your life.  Just because the label
says "natural," doesn't mean it is good for you.

Unfortunately, there are lots of scams out there and on the web.  However, if you EMPOWER yourself with knowledge, you will learn to make better healthcare choices.

It is important, that we teach our children those same lessons.  Be a good
role model and teach them to make better choices in what they eat,
and drink.  Teach them the importance of exercise.  Teach them to  EMPOWER themselves to make better healthcare choices.  Teach them that fast foods are  NOT healthy.

When we feel our bodies hinting that it is having  a nutrient shortfall, it will tell us with a number of the minor symptoms.  Let's list a few of those symptoms.  Have you ever felt any of the following?

Fatigue......weakness..... insomnia.....Irritability.......nervousness........
Depression.....poor concentration......Memory loss.......aches.....pains of
unknown origin.  Recurrent infections.....allergies....Circulatory problems ,and the most common is ....Just not feeling good....

These drive most people to doctors.  We know that most conventionally
trained physicians have little education or experience in nutrition.  They are
UNABLE to make the connection between a patient's complaint and nutrient
deficiency.

The problem with this is, the blood tests usually come back negative.  Now you are told it is all in your head, or the best statement we have all heard from our
doctors is, "this is a natural part of aging"...

This is NOT a true statement.  If you have a busy lifestyle, then
supplement your body with lost nutrients. Supplements are going to be vital to you, to help you replace what the environment, air and water are tearing down and destroying.

The IMPORTANT thing to remember folks is, that chronic nutrient deficiencies will lead to serious health problems.  They  CAN BE avoided  by changing your diet, exercising and taking vitamins and herbs.  You don't have to eat "rabbit" food to stay healthy.

Lets talk about some of the different types
of "alternative medicine."...

Conventional/Traditional or best known as Western Medicine. 

Chinese Medicine.  "Chi"....Chi is the vital energy or life force.  Treatment may involve acupuncture and Chinese herbs, for the purposes of building and harmonizing chi. Bring the body back to "harmony."

Ayurveda......A tradition of India....treatments are a diet, that is individually tailored  according to unique energetic nature, ayurvedic herbs, detoxification, and stress reduction practices such as meditation.

Naturopathic Medicine....treat nutritional deficiencies, poor digestion, buildup toxins in the body, and possibly infections with yeasts and intestinal parasites.  Rather than treating disease, their focus is on strengthening the body's resistance to illness so the body can heal itself.

Homeopathy.....These doctors are not as  concerned with the name of the disease as with observing unique pattern of symptoms in the individual patient.  They treat the body as a "whole."  They treat with remedies, herbs and vitamins.  The remedies are extremely dilute quantities of natural substances, in drops and in tiny pills.  These work by subtly provoking or stimulating the body healing responses to a higher level.

Mind/Body Medicine....Practitioners of mind/body medicine may be physicians,
therapists, or any other health care discipline.  It uses meditation, relaxation
training, imagery, biofeedback and breath therapy.  One of the advantages
of mind/body medicine is that it can be used easily at home in the form of
daily self-healing practices.  Many take "spirituality" training.  This is not a
religion, but a training of your inner self.  Teaches you to believe in yourself,
and teaches you to heal.

Osteopathic Medicine....The are fully licensed physicians like M. Ds.  They have
the initials D. O.  behind their names.  They receive additional training in therapeutic manipulation of musculoskeletal system. There are many osteopaths that practice conventional medicine only.

Chiropractic medicine....They primarily treat the health of the body through
spinal manipulation.  This improves the functioning of the nervous system.  By
improving the flow of energy through the nervous system, the body's healing
mechanisms, including the immune system will restore harmony and will work more effectively.

Massage Therapy and Bodywork.
These therapies are effective in relieving stress that is held in the body.  Massage improves blood and lymph circulation and this creates as overall good feeling.  It also helps to remove blockages to the flow of vital energy through the body in the form of muscular tension.

Given all these options, how do you choose what's right for you and your
family?  EMPOWERMENT....yes we here at L.E.A.P. want to EMPOWER you
to make better healthcare choices.

In my personal experience, the best advice I can suggest is to, be open to trying a variety of approaches.  Different traditions work for different people.
I personally have used many and thanks to alternative medicine, I'm on the road back to good health.

EMPOWERMENT is your answer. Empower yourselves with education
and knowledge.

The most important thing to remember about "alternative medicine" is, it
is NOT a quick fix.  You must remember that it took you years to get your
bodies in the shape they are in, and it will take time to turn it around.

Again, I CAUTION you when making healthcare changes.  READ labels....ASK questions....RESEARCH the subject.  EMPOWER yourselves to make better healthcare choices.