Alternative Healing

This thread was inspired by a thread started by Stevo 28 which addressed a possible cure for cancer. That thread rekindled a question that I have often asked but never can find a true answer for. Is it possible that the human body can fight off illness’s that the medical community considers terminal? It’s an interesting question that I have pondered many times as I work in a hospital and am exposed to many terminally ill patients. I have seen patients come in with terminal bone cancer throughout, starting in their lung, and completely recover in a year. I have, unfortunately, also witnessed young adults come in with a small tumor in their colon and die within six months. It always amazes me to witness these miracles as people on deaths door essentially “heal” and get another chance. It’s important to note though, that I’m not just discussing cancer I’m encompassing the whole gambit from cancer to viruses. Why do some people “win” and live on, while others perish rather quickly? It makes one ask the question, why and how does this healing take place? Is it the treatments or is it the person that is initiating the healing? One could say it’s both, which is perfectly reasonable, but I have seen some give up on treatments and still find a way to live and more importantly thrive. What is the secret? Is it the power of the mind taking control? Is it the body “kicking-in” and healing itself?
I would love to see some input on these questions because we may, one day, benefit from increased knowledge in this area. I also, would like to hear of any personal (you, loved one, friend, etc.) success stories and how you believe “the healing” was done. It would be nice to have a sort of “alternative reference” we could look back on if, heaven forbid, we should ever be faced with this type of crisis.

If I knew the answer to your question, wouldn't I be richer than Bill Gates and wouldn't the world be a better place to live in? Anyway, I guess it's all upto the mind. The most powerful tool in your body is the mind. The mind most certainly exercises what your condition is and how much you can endure a particular "illness". For example, say a person experiences headache, he goes to a modern western physicist. The doctor will diagnose his type of headache, i.e. tension type, migraine, TMJ related, or God forbid 'Organic' etc, After a few diagnostic questions, some FDA approved medication is prescribed pertaining to the patient's condition. The patient takes the medicine, feels better - headache is gone, but returns as soon as he runs out of the tablets (let us assume he has chronic illness).

He returns to the doctor, the doctor prescribes even stronger medication this time. Patient goes back, same thing happens and with his frustration decides to go to another doctor. The new doctor diagnoses the same, say he has tension type headache, gives him a different prescription, this time Beta blockers. The patients now finds that the headache is gone, but the medicines side effects of drowsiness, depression start to kick in. The patient thus stops the medicine. He now gets a rebound headache which is stronger than his original tension headache. The cycle goes on for the patient. He may decide to go the best doctor in the best state in the best country in the world but any doctor will prescribe him the same. Eventually the patient will take medication and most probabilities will be dependant on the medication for relief with no end to his misery.

Now what is wrong with the scenario here?

The patient is not treated for the cause of his headache and instead is treated for the headache itself. So he will have temporary relief when he consumes the painkillers (or whatever is prescribed) that the doc rescribed. This is the biggest problem with relying on just one form of treatment (in this case, western medication). Had an evaluation taken place to determine the patient's health holistically the chances of him to recover from his headache problems would have been greater.

For eg, had the patient's diet, cognitive behaviour, postural patterns been observed for any malfunctions, he would have had a better scope of diagnosing his actual problem. Now his recovery thereof, might seem like a miracle to some, but pure reason to others. So it could be his headache is due to improper diet, digestive complications, liver malfunctions, oxidisation problems or external factors like an unco-operative boss at work, burnout, noise pollution, chemical imbalance, TMJ problems or any other factors. Diagnosing and treating that "cause factor" should get rid of the patient's basic headache problem - not an repetitive consumption of paracetamol, aspirin or tylenol.

So in conclusion, I believe that a mix of western and other medical practices are in order. So it might be that a patient who suffers from arthiritis, might find relief in Homeopathy, a person with tension headaches might have to turn to Yoga/Ayurveda or Reiki, a person with brain tumor might have to turn to surgery (western medicine) but also incorporate it with homeopathy, nueral therapy, natural therapy, self therapy and any other forms that makes the patient's mind at ease.

Which brings me to my point in the beginning. It is all in the mind. If your mind believes, your body will re-act to your affirmations. However it has to be said, one also has to look at the what is the best treatment for the patient and approach the treatment based on the severity of the problem. So you cannot think the long enduring path of homeopathy is the best approach to treat a brain tumor victim. He might have to have more immediate care by the well established western doctors for surgery - however a supportive accupressure treatment after the surgery might compliment the patient's recovery. This is what I mean by mixing of all known medical practices,

Of course, it is not as straight forward as my above example, but that is what ought to happen. And that is what FDA and other regulatory bodies ought to do rather than merely support pharmaceutical giants because of their indebtedness to their corporate funding.

[edit on 26-2-2005 by aryaputhra]

There is an interesting book out, its seen on television.

www.calcompnutrition.com...

I'm not trying to advertise for this book but i'd like to ask anyone if they actually purchased this book and what they're thoughts are on the contents.

Linux, I have also seen that advertised and wandered just how helpful it would be. I started this thread in hopes that we could draw from some personal expierences and see what worked for them. There are so many books and web sites dedicated to the subject of alternative healing but wading through them can become somewhat tedious. Also, some are helpful but others are way out there and seem to be looking for a quick, cheap buck which makes searching for true alternatives a painful expierence.

Try searching google on keyword 'naturopathy'.

The human body has amazing self-repair powers.