A healthy, natural alternative treatment

By Melanie Sharpe  »  There was a time, not too long ago, when the suggestion of non-medicinal treatment options would be greeted with much scepticism.  Not any more. As medicinal alternatives expand, people are turning away from convention towards a more natural approach to healing. Alternative medicine has become a fast growing industry. Not only has natural medicine gone mainstream, it has also gained support from both patients and health professionals as an effective and truly holistic way to achieve mental and physical health. Naturopathy blends modern day science with natural forms of medicine that have existed since ancient times. It’s rooted in the treatment principles of no harm, the healing power of nature and the importance of treating the root cause of an ailment rather than its symptoms. There are more than 1,100 naturopathic practitioners across Canada today, and patients are reporting benefits from a wide variety of treatments including homeopathy, acupuncture, botanical medicines and chiropractics. Naturopathic therapies are often hailed as the safest treatment option there is. They have become particularly popular for people at high risk of complications or adverse side affects to conventional medicine – for example, pregnant women, the elderly or chronically ill. Acupuncture, an ancient Asian healing practice that inserts tiny needles into the body, has been effective in relieving migraines and arthritis-related pain in older patients. Pregnant women have also been benefiting from the low risk and effectiveness of natural medicines. From pre-natal care to easing morning sickness and natural water births, numerous alternative health approaches exist for expecting mothers. Natural detox programs have also become widely used alternative treatments. Programs vary in length but usually include a change in diet and herbal supplements, leaving the body and mind rejuvenated. Before trying any new treatment it’s important to do some research and talk to an expert. Wellness clinics and natural health centres have sprouted in big cities and small towns everywhere. There are also hundreds of free natural health magazines and publications available. Today more than 40 per cent of people in Ontario are believed to be using some form of alternative therapies to improve their health and overall well-being. It may have been common practices like yoga or herbal vitamins that made headway for today’s new alternative treatments, but there is no denying their widespread use and that natural medicines have now become a regular part of our overall vitality.