Is alternative medicine a viable option to treat ailments?

According to experts, a wide variety of health problems can be addressed through alternative medicines and therapies, which can range from herbal treatments and homeopathy to acupuncture, ayurveda and even 'play therapy' for children.

Once considered little more than pseudoscience, alternative medicine is increasingly accepted around the world - and the UAE - as a viable healthcare option to treat a wide variety of ailments.
According to experts, a wide variety of health problems can be addressed through alternative medicines and therapies, which can range from herbal treatments and homeopathy to acupuncture, ayurveda and even 'play therapy' for children.
"Alternative healing methods have a long history of traditions and experience passed on from generation to generation. backed up by folk medicine, research, or both," said Dr Erzabet Makk, specialist in internal medicine at Medicare Hospital.
The strength of alternative medicines, Dr Makk noted, is that they take into account the "whole system" rather than "only a small piece of it".
"In our fast paced and stressed society, disease is a result of unhealthy lifestyle, characterised by poor nutrition, overeating, lack of exercise and chronic stress," she said. "Therefore, the 'pop a pill' solution will not resolve ailments like obesity, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression. Alternative medicine takes into consideration the body and mind connection, which can give a more effective solution to the patient."
"Irritable bowel system, for example, has an enormous amount of causes, both anatomical and mental," she pointed out. "Therefore, the therapy for such a disorder will have to treat not only the abdomen but the mental and psychological state of the patient. Alternative healing methods incorporate such solutions in a more complete way and help the patient understand where the cause of the disease lays."
Taimur Hydari, clinical director of Breath and Health Alternative Medical Centre in Dubai, told Khaleej Times that despite the growing popularity of alternative medicine, the general public still have misconceptions about it.
"One of the biggest misconceptions may be of our own making - the name 'alternative medicine.' - leading some to believe that it's a substitute or a replacement for conventional medicine. The two forms of medicine are not mutually exclusive.
"A more accurate name is 'traditional medicine' or 'complementary medicine.' The two can work hand in hand to give patients the best level of care," he added.
As an example, Hydari noted that patients with serious injuries can receive treatment at conventional hospitals, but turn to alternative once in the recovery process. "Alternative medicine can help heal the mental scars that resulted from the injury as well as provide treatments to assist with pain and accelerate the recovery process, something that many doctors confirm," he said.
According to doctors and healthcare professionals, the public should only turn to qualified experts for alternative medicines and therapies.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Ministry of Health strictly regulate alternative medicines, practitioners, and therapists; alternative medicines are regularly examined and monitored by authorities.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com