Is Alternative Medicine Dangerous?

Alternative medicine is medical procedures that people use instead of mainstream treatments. Some people also refer to this as “integrative” or “complementary” medicine.

More than half of adults in the U.S. claim they are using a form of alternative medicine. So what exactly are the alternative forms of therapies? Hence, the definition changes as doctors test to bring more of them into the mainstream.

This Article Discusses Some Of The Popular Alternative Medicines and Their Possible Risks:

1. Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractic medicine is a form of alternative medicine. For the application of a controlled, instant force to the spinal joint, chiropractors use their hands or small instruments. This technique, also known as spinal manipulation, enhances spinal motion. It also improves your body’s physical function.

Chiropractic treatment is safe when someone certified provides chiropractic treatment. Serious risks associated with chiropractic adjustment are usually rare but can include:

• Herniated disk or frustration of existing disk herniation
• Nerve compression in the lower spinal column
• A certain type of stroke after manipulating the neck

Don’t Try Chiropractic Adjustment If You Have:

• Severe osteoporosis
• Numbness, tingling, or lack of strength in the arm or leg
• Cancer in the spine
• A higher risk of stroke
• A known abnormality in the upper neck of the bone

2. Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicine originated in ancient cultures. It includes the medicinal use of plants to treat illness and promote general health and well-being.

Some herbs have potent (powerful) ingredients. You should take them with the same degree of caution as pharmaceuticals. Many pharmaceutical products are based on human-made versions of naturally occurring compounds present in plants. For example, heart medicine digitalis contains compounds from the foxglove plant.

Potential Problems with Herbal Medicines Are:

If you are taking or intend to take some herbal medications, please be aware of the following:

• They may cause problems if you take other medicines. They may result in reduced or improved effects of the drug, including possible side effects.
• After taking a herbal drug, you can have a negative reaction or side effects.
• Authority does not regulate all herbal medicines. Remedies specially prepared for persons do not need a license. And those made in the United Kingdom will not be subject to regulation.
• Evidence of the efficacy of herbal medicines is generally very limited. So, some people find them helpful. In several cases, rather than scientific research, their use tends to be based on traditional use.

Some groups of people should be especially careful about taking herbal medicines.

3. Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic herbs are a central component of Ayurveda. It is the traditional practice of Indian medicine. Practitioners will typically use ayurvedic herbs to: 

• “Cleanse” the body
• Improve disease defense 
• Keep the mind, body, and spirit balanced

Ayurvedic medicine’s core concept is to prevent and cure illness, rather than to respond to illness. Because it does this by maintaining a balance between your body, mind, and the environment. Also, ayurvedic herbs are rarely used by themselves. Instead, they are part of a comprehensive health approach that may include other things. These include nutrition, yoga, massage, aromatherapy, and meditation.

In addition to Ayurvedic herbs, practitioners often use therapeutic oils and spices to treat disease.

Potential Problems with Herbal Medicines Are:

There may be side effects of certain Ayurvedic herbs or they may interact with traditional treatments. To avoid this, tell your doctor if you are using or intend to use any Ayurvedic remedies.

Among Some Of The Side Effects You Need To Watch Out for:

• Triphala. Diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, especially at high doses
• Guggul. Stomach upset, headache, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, belching, and hiccups
• Boswellia. Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and allergic rash (when applied to the skin)
• Gotu kola. Stomach upset, nausea, vision problems, and allergic rash (when applied to the skin)

Due to poor quality research, children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers should not use this. Researchers are not sure at what point you can overdose on Ayurvedic drugs. Or how they may affect a chronic medical condition.

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional practice of Chinese medicine (TCM). It originated thousands of years ago. It relies on an assumption. A blockage or disturbance in the body’s energy flow or “qi” can cause health problems. Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles at specific acupuncture points throughout the body to: 

• Restore qi’s flow
• Balance the energy of the body
• Stimulate healing 
• Promote relaxation

According to the TCM theory, there are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body. Each of them is lying on an invisible energy channel, or “meridian.” Each meridian is associated with another organ system.

Potential Problems with Herbal Medicines Are:

• It is harmful if a patient has a bleeding disorder or is taking blood thinners
• Bleeding, bruising, and soreness can sometimes occur at the sites of insertion
• Unsterilized needles can infect the patient
• In rare cases, the needle can break and damage the internal organ
• When inserted deep into the chest or upper back, there is a risk of lung collapse.  But this is very unusual

5. Reiki

Reiki is an alternative practice of healing that originally came from Japan. As a type of energy healing, Reiki is conducted by “laying on of hands.” And it is based on the belief that universal energy can be passed from a practitioner to a client to improve quality of life. And that a practitioner can draw “negative energy” from a client.

Reiki Is Usually Safe. However, It May Cause Some Side Effects, Such as The Following:

Discomfort during a session. You lie down on a massage table in a dark or dim room during the Reiki. So, you’ve got to keep it as your practitioner stand over you. Also, they might play soft music in the background. But they’re not going to talk during the session. So, for some people, this may feel uncomfortable or awkward. Additionally, it may lead to anxiety, panic attacks, or the inability to relax.

Drop oxygen levels in the blood. A 2013 clinical trial examined how Reiki affected children’s suffering receiving dental procedures. Because only twenty children received actual reiki therapy, and 18 children received a fake one, there were reports of oxygen levels dropping in the blood.

Increased tiredness. According to anecdotal reports, most people are feeling relaxed after a reiki session. Others can feel tired. Practitioners believe that this means that the body is healing.

Allegedly, Other Side Effects Can Happen Alongside Tiredness, Such As:

• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Weakness

The Bottom Line

Alternative medicines have been found to raise the risk of death in some studies. Reputable studies have shown the advantages of integrative medicine or CAM when practiced with traditional conventional medicine.

For example, meditation and relaxation strategies can relieve anxiety and ease mood problems. Also, acupuncture can minimize the symptoms of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It can also reduce fatigue and control pain. Additionally, yoga can improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and improve quality of life. And cannabis can reduce inflammation, increase appetite, and reduce nausea.

You can use many of these methods safely to improve side effects and life quality. Speak to the doctor about integrative treatments that are appropriate for you to try.