Universal Health Care: More than this is needed
Alan E. Moses
March 31, 2007
While the presidential campaigns have gotten off to an early start. We are hearing many different ways to revamp our crippled health care system. This issue is much larger than what you are being offered. Just providing universal care alone will not fix some major problems. Quality of care, cost, type and prevention are the topics that seem to go under the radar. Just as we do in modern medicine we will only treat the symptom and neglect the causes. There must be an alternative.
Over 56% of Americans have embraced some form of Alternative Medicine. Yet the essence on just how it works, why it works and available practitioners are holding this secret back. Alternative Medicine is well known in all other parts of global society. Yet Americans are not offered the well informed choice as the pharmaceutical industry and its powerful lobby fear the consequences should we gain insight.
The Chinese have a tradition reaching back to the 3rd century of using herbal therapy, acupuncture dietary and exercise (Tai Chi and Qi Gong). Even in modern China you can receive this form of medical care and it is accepted as the benefits are well understood. Don Imus of WFAN radio and MSNBC has found the health benefits and claims that a lung disorder he has suffered with for years is under control.
Ayvredi Medicine from India also dating back 5 thousand years is widely used today. This is a comprehensive system that includes herbs, diet, massage, meditation, yoga and exercise. There is an equal emphasis on body, mind and spirit. And as with all of what are known as Alternative Medicines treating a disease is not the only agenda but prevention is also sought.
Seeds from the Mucana Pruriens plant have a well documented success rate in India for treating Parkinson’s disease. This has drawn the attention of those that practice conventional medicine. As the treatment has proven more effective and results in less side effects than the pharmaceuticals used.
Kampo Medicine or Japanese herbal medicine is an acceptable treatment in modern day Japan. And as with The Chinese and Indian methods it too is covered by insurance both private and public. Most conventional doctors in Japan practice this along with conventional methods. However with the stigma attached to Alternative medicines many practitioners deny that it falls into this category.
Naturopathic Medicine is extremely popular in Australia and New Zealand. Here the emphasis is on elimination of the causes of disease. This of course counters conventional methods that just suppress symptoms. There is a strong belief that the body can and will heal itself if allowed to. The methods used are Dietary, herbal medicines, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, massage and lifestyle counseling.
Homeopathy was developed in the 1800’s by the German physician Samuel Hanemann. This is a low cost and non-toxic approach to care. Popularity in South America and the United Kingdom seems to withstand time. The British Royal Family has a Homeopathic physician on staff and has for the past four generations. As with all forms of Alternative Medicine under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable practitioner Homeopathy is a successful form of care. Hay fever, respiratory infections, Rheumatoid arthritis and digestive problems all can be alleviated by this form of medicine.
Vitamin Therapy used in conjunction with conventional medicine has shown to be effective in the treatment of Cancer. The goal is to rebuild the patient’s immune system by replenishing nutrients that are missing due to our diet. Using vitamins, minerals and amino acids this goal can be achieved. One should know to use natural vitamins as the synthetics are not effective. Other uses of this method are for depression, hypertension and schizophrenia.
Chiropracty is the most widely used and accepted form of Alternative Medicine in the United States. The first documented use was in early Egypt but today we use the methods that are based on American Daniel David Palmer 1895. By making adjustments to the spine and joints it is believed that not only is pain relieved but that the body is therefore in a healthier state. Many in the chiropractic field also promote dietary and lifestyle changes.
Unlike today’s conventional medicine, Alternative Medicine requires the full participation of the patient. The practitioner wants your opinions as this is how they know what adjustments need to be made for successful outcomes. There is a full understanding that each individual requires their own treatment plan as we are not all the same as those in conventional medicine want you to believe. One pill or one vaccine is not for all as we assume today. The third leading cause of death in the United States is by conventional medical techniques that go wrong. This is quite chilling when you think about it.
There must come a time that we begin to realize that Alternative Medicine is not voodoo or just some sort of witchcraft that has no place in modern society. It has a long history of success and is showing promising results with many of today’s modern ills. ADD/ADHD, ODD, OCD, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, asthma, autism, diabetes, migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis to name but a few of the issues that have had remarkable success rates using Alternative Medicines.
In most cases this form of medicine can and will help and America can lower health care costs by employing them. Less hospital stays along with a lowered pharmacy bill will result as we achieve a decline in chronic illness. The quality of care will increase and prevention will be the new goal of medicine as these treatments are used. We do need universal care however we also need total care and stop the idea of repeated business. One of the largest drains on our economy is health care and it will only get worse until some real changes take place.
Over 56% of Americans have embraced some form of Alternative Medicine. Yet the essence on just how it works, why it works and available practitioners are holding this secret back. Alternative Medicine is well known in all other parts of global society. Yet Americans are not offered the well informed choice as the pharmaceutical industry and its powerful lobby fear the consequences should we gain insight.
The Chinese have a tradition reaching back to the 3rd century of using herbal therapy, acupuncture dietary and exercise (Tai Chi and Qi Gong). Even in modern China you can receive this form of medical care and it is accepted as the benefits are well understood. Don Imus of WFAN radio and MSNBC has found the health benefits and claims that a lung disorder he has suffered with for years is under control.
Ayvredi Medicine from India also dating back 5 thousand years is widely used today. This is a comprehensive system that includes herbs, diet, massage, meditation, yoga and exercise. There is an equal emphasis on body, mind and spirit. And as with all of what are known as Alternative Medicines treating a disease is not the only agenda but prevention is also sought.
Seeds from the Mucana Pruriens plant have a well documented success rate in India for treating Parkinson’s disease. This has drawn the attention of those that practice conventional medicine. As the treatment has proven more effective and results in less side effects than the pharmaceuticals used.
Kampo Medicine or Japanese herbal medicine is an acceptable treatment in modern day Japan. And as with The Chinese and Indian methods it too is covered by insurance both private and public. Most conventional doctors in Japan practice this along with conventional methods. However with the stigma attached to Alternative medicines many practitioners deny that it falls into this category.
Naturopathic Medicine is extremely popular in Australia and New Zealand. Here the emphasis is on elimination of the causes of disease. This of course counters conventional methods that just suppress symptoms. There is a strong belief that the body can and will heal itself if allowed to. The methods used are Dietary, herbal medicines, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, massage and lifestyle counseling.
Homeopathy was developed in the 1800’s by the German physician Samuel Hanemann. This is a low cost and non-toxic approach to care. Popularity in South America and the United Kingdom seems to withstand time. The British Royal Family has a Homeopathic physician on staff and has for the past four generations. As with all forms of Alternative Medicine under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable practitioner Homeopathy is a successful form of care. Hay fever, respiratory infections, Rheumatoid arthritis and digestive problems all can be alleviated by this form of medicine.
Vitamin Therapy used in conjunction with conventional medicine has shown to be effective in the treatment of Cancer. The goal is to rebuild the patient’s immune system by replenishing nutrients that are missing due to our diet. Using vitamins, minerals and amino acids this goal can be achieved. One should know to use natural vitamins as the synthetics are not effective. Other uses of this method are for depression, hypertension and schizophrenia.
Chiropracty is the most widely used and accepted form of Alternative Medicine in the United States. The first documented use was in early Egypt but today we use the methods that are based on American Daniel David Palmer 1895. By making adjustments to the spine and joints it is believed that not only is pain relieved but that the body is therefore in a healthier state. Many in the chiropractic field also promote dietary and lifestyle changes.
Unlike today’s conventional medicine, Alternative Medicine requires the full participation of the patient. The practitioner wants your opinions as this is how they know what adjustments need to be made for successful outcomes. There is a full understanding that each individual requires their own treatment plan as we are not all the same as those in conventional medicine want you to believe. One pill or one vaccine is not for all as we assume today. The third leading cause of death in the United States is by conventional medical techniques that go wrong. This is quite chilling when you think about it.
There must come a time that we begin to realize that Alternative Medicine is not voodoo or just some sort of witchcraft that has no place in modern society. It has a long history of success and is showing promising results with many of today’s modern ills. ADD/ADHD, ODD, OCD, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, asthma, autism, diabetes, migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis to name but a few of the issues that have had remarkable success rates using Alternative Medicines.
In most cases this form of medicine can and will help and America can lower health care costs by employing them. Less hospital stays along with a lowered pharmacy bill will result as we achieve a decline in chronic illness. The quality of care will increase and prevention will be the new goal of medicine as these treatments are used. We do need universal care however we also need total care and stop the idea of repeated business. One of the largest drains on our economy is health care and it will only get worse until some real changes take place.
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