Preface
Alternative medicine is kind of an
umbrella title for a number of different health or healing philosophies
and approaches to medicine, health and healing. Included in alternative
medicine are homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic care, acupuncture,
and natural remedies.
Many diseases and health conditions (i.e.,
emphysema, COPD, arthritis, cancer) have actually been beaten by
alternative medicine and natural remedies. However, mainstream medicine
has for years tended to not acknowledge these countless successes,
apparently because they go against its established philosophies,
methodologies, and are generally far less profitable than their
mainstream treatments.
From our research and that of many highly
qualified sources, many safe and effective alternative treatments and
remedies have been ignored or even scoffed at for years by mainstream
medical authorities and professionals. Mainstream medicine has called
some alternative treatments as "unsafe," "unproven", etc. However,
consider how many once "approved" mainstream pharmaceutical drugs,
prescribed to millions of patients, have been recalled due to harm or
death to patients? Consider the numerous potential side effects they
list in their ads for their drugs still on the market. (Talk about "unsafe"! Yet, they can label alternative medicine and natural remedies "unsafe"?!)
Alternative
medical, health and healing "testimonials" have also often been called
"anecdotes" or "anecdotal evidence;" sometimes, as in a court room, such
can be called "hearsay." Some anecdotal evidence does not qualify as
scientific evidence because its nature prevents it from being
investigated using the scientific method. We're not discounting the
scientific method at all; it certainly has its place, and it is one of
the single greatest strategies and reasons for humanity's greatest
advances in science, technology and medicine in the last two centuries.
There
is truly "hearsay" and there is "anecdotal evidence." Applying these
labels too broadly, however, can shade or hide the reality of truly
valuable and valid research and results. This terminology or labeling
can be accurate (i.e., illogical conclusions), desirable and necessary
in many situations. "Goat yogurt mixed with bananas and peanuts prolongs
life. I heard of a man who ate this almost every day of his life, and
he lived to be 112." This would be a simplistic example of hearsay or
anecdotal evidence; the conclusion is unreliable and does not follow the
evidence. Such cases may hold some truth, but, by their nature, using
the scientific method is not possible.
However, with many
successful alternative treatments and natural remedies, we are
suggesting that there is often a much higher level of correlation
linking them to health or healing, even though the scientific method may
not be applicable. (Mainstream medical authorities have in the past
tended to discount claims or research that wasn't conducted with the
scientific methodology). (Many celebrities, professional athletes,
politicians, and other wealthy people are seekers and strong supporters
of alternative medicine, natural remedies, etc. Such high performance
people need, want and demand high performance supplements, practices and
treatments for their minds and bodies. Why shouldn't you and your
family have the same? )
Objectivity is foundational to the
scientific method; however, in the area of medicine and healing, the
subjective, human realities of the patient (i.e., belief, expectation,
attitude, commitment, family or environmental support, etc.) have
abundantly been demonstrated to play major roles in healing. But such
real factors and dimensions cannot easily be incorporated by the
scientific method; therefore, other methods of measurement, research and
investigation are necessary.
Again, the scientific method is
highly necessary and deserves glorious credit. But scientists,
researchers, doctors, etc., need to have the wisdom to know when it is
needed or applicable; they, and we, need to have the wisdom not to
discount or discredit evidence simply because it has not or cannot be
investigated by the scientific method.
With the human, subjective
variables being very real, medicine, health and healing can be somewhat
more complicated than, say, the aerodynamics of flight, or other areas
of technology. It seems that to simply label evidence that doesn't fit
the strict western scientific methodology, simply because scientists
can't fully explain or predict a claim, or that its nature prevents such
strategy, would be closed minded. Some factors, variables or dimensions
of the human experience are simply broader than the scientific
methodology allows.
As can be seen as you investigate alternative
medicine-great results have been realized from alternative medicine,
natural remedies, etc.; such results are undeniable.
Mainstream
medicine places a high value upon being able to explain "why" a tested
treatment works; if they can't explain it or it isn't predictable by
their standards, they tend to discount or discredit the substance,
treatment or practice. Yes, it is worthy to want to know why something
works or doesn't work. However, wisdom from positive results would seem
to say, "Use it ... as you continue to investigate the "why" of it."
(Again, consider the countless dangers and deaths that have resulted
from mainstream "approved" drugs, treatments and practices ... many of
which the public is little aware.)
Bottom line is-the alternative
treatments and natural remedies we support and use have demonstrated a
much higher degree of value and validity than simple "hearsay" or
"anecdotal evidence." A real "truth seeker" will not let fear, bias, ego
or an agenda interfere with gaining truth and facts.
In recent
years millions of common people have been awakened to the value and
validity of alternative medicine and natural remedies; now, even
mainstream practitioners are opening their minds to them. Here a few
examples. For years, chiropractic care was basically scoffed at; but now
chiropractic care is so widely embraced that many insurance companies
cover it and countless people have benefited from it. For years,
alternative doctors and health practitioners asserted that good
nutrition and cleansing the body of toxins were crucial to good health
and healing; yet mainstream medicine tended to downplay their
importance. Now, after years of alternative medicine making progress, an
increasing number of mainstream practitioners are open to these truths
and even practice them personally themselves. This is good news! These
mainstream medical professionals are to be appreciated for being forward-thinking!
A
third example is that, for years, alternative professionals asserted
that antibiotics were way over prescribed by mainstream doctors. Now, in
recent years, mainstream sources have come to acknowledge this, as some
harmful microbes have become immune to the over prescribed antibiotics.
Once again, alternative medicine revealed and proclaimed truth that is
now being received. We are not attempting to discount or diminish the
value and validity of mainstream medicine. It definitely has its place.
And we definitely acknowledge and appreciate the truly dedicated
mainstream medical professionals who both practice and advance
beneficial methods of medical innovations. In our opinion, there is no
better place to go for injuries or trauma than a mainstream medical
hospital!
We're just saying that, when it comes to general health
and healing of diseases and conditions like emphysema, cancer, COPD,
arthritis, etc., both mainstream and alternative treatments should be
openly and fairly considered. This seems to be "common sense" wisdom.
When you begin to look into the successes of alternative medicine, it
will soon become apparent that the countless successes and testimonials
cannot be denied. Five, ten or twenty success testimonials from a single
source could be overlooked. However, a broader view will reveal that
there are countless successes, from many diverse and highly credible
sources of alternative medicine and natural remedies. Many such
successes are from late stage patients who mainstream medicine had
exhausted their limited treatments on, and sent them home to prepare to
die. Yet, alternative medicine is credited with a good percentage of
restoring the health of such late-stage patients, or at least extending
their lives and allowing them to experience a higher quality of life in
their final days (as compared to what they likely would have had under
mainstream treatment or hospitalization).
At some point in one's
investigation of the subject, it becomes apparent that to discount or
deny these many diverse successes would be ignorant and closed minded.
One man, Jim, was told by his mainstream doctor that there was nothing
else he could do for him, and that he would die in about six months from
his emphysema and COPD. Shortly after, however, Jim discovered and
began a long established, but still relatively little-known alternative
treatment. Just six weeks later Jim returned to his mainstream doctor.
After some tests, his doctor exclaimed in amazement: "Whatever you've been doing - keep doing it! Your lungs are 70% clear!" Jim
is still living - over 20 years since his doctor gave him a six months
"death sentence." The treatment Jim used to beat emphysema, COPD and
arthritis in six weeks has also been used by thousands of people to heal
or greatly improve many other diseases and conditions.
True science, whether in medicine or any other field, should constantly be open to evidence - even if the body of evidence is contrary to the scientist or investigator's premises, hypothesis or expectations.
It has been said that the evidence of an experiment or study is
dictated by the hypothesis. In a way, this perspective is necessary and
even inherently desirable in the scientific process. (Double-blind
studies and experiments are indeed important and often necessary and
desired.) A scientist should or may have some expectations in the
testing of his or her hypothesis. However, if they don't have a
grounding or value beyond their results, a purpose that is to get at
truth that goes beyond their expectations or purpose - a bias can sway or elevate their agenda above truth and that which may potentially benefit society.
And, even with a justifiable and worthy profit motive, if benefiting
society or whatever is not the ultimate aim, then hindering truth can be
harmful to individuals, society, and/or the environment.
To hold
one's foundational assumptions above the evidence blinds one to truth
and reality; and getting at truth and reality should be the guiding
vision of science, medical or otherwise. Anything less is to devalue and
hinder progress that could likely benefit others. Yes, profit can and
should be made. Profit is foundational to the stability and advance of
the company or institution, and economics in general. Devoid of some
fair degree of profit motive, the expressions of gifts and talents of
human creativity and innovation would be hindered. But profit or power
can wrongfully become more important than people, animals or the
environment. Unfortunately, in the real world, this has been the case
too many times throughout history as well as today.
The key to
true and beneficial "advancement" is to evaluate and proceed with a care
and concern for the long-term effects at all levels (human, animal and
environment). The primary standard and directive, then, as the creatures
on earth who impact the world more than any other - should be to value
life at all levels. So, whether it is medicine or another area of
science, alternative ideas that demonstrate safety and effectiveness,
even if they are not as profitable - should be allowed and supported to
the benefit of humanity, individually and collectively. Again,
mainstream medicine and the pharmaceutical industry have done much good
for the benefit of society. However, to varying degrees and for various
reasons, many of the beneficial discoveries, advances and successes of
alternative medicine - have too long been ignored or discounted by
mainstream medical sources. These many successes of alternative medicine
are realities that anyone can quickly discover as they begin to look
into the subject with an open mind.
Wisdom is essentially the
proper application of knowledge and understanding that tends to bring
good and beneficial results. We believe wisdom, when it comes to health
and healing, comes from an informed and balanced perspective in various
areas of medicine. To expand one's view and perspective, we much expand
or shift our perception and understanding from merely disease control
and symptom management to focus more on health principles, prevention,
and healing at the causal levels. Disease is essentially the body
"not-at-ease", out of balance or not in homeostasis. As it is evident
that the body has innate processes that tend to try to heal itself, the
body innately tries to move toward homeostasis (balance and a state of
health and "ease"). When given what it needs, the body can frequently be
successful. A balanced perspective in medicine and healing, then, can
only come from knowing the truths and realities, of the benefits and
successes, of the diverse areas of all forms of healing.
Mainstream
medicine, pharmaceutical drugs and alternative medicine each have their
place and beneficial purposes. With the mainstream establishments
having the dominant advantages in society, which often conflicts with
the philosophies and practices of the lesser known areas of alternative
medicine, we believe it is important to share some of the advantages.
There are many advantages of alternative medicine, natural remedies,
etc., but we present ten here that are fundamental. To these purposes,
we present to you ...
10 ADVANTAGES OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND NATURAL REMEDIES
(Fact: Emphysema, COPD, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and other diseases have been beaten ... thanks to alternative medicine and natural remedies!)
1. Alternative Medicine Tends To Support The Innate Healing Processes Of The Body More Than Mainstream Medicine
Everyone,
even young children, know that the human body has an innate ability or
tendency to heal itself. For years, mainstream medicine has tended to
ignore or to work against this reality. Many of their treatments
actually suppress the innate processes the body uses to cleanse itself
of sickness, disease or condition. In some cases it may be necessary to
intervene in what the body may be doing in response to disease, illness,
conditions or injuries. However, in general, the body knows precisely
what to do and is programmed to instinctively heal itself.
One of
the common philosophies in alternative medicine is to use treatments
that aid, facilitate and strengthen the body's innate healing processes
in their efforts to restore health and balance. To work with, rather
than against, the self-evident innate healing process, whenever
possible, makes sense and has demonstrated countless successes.
2. Alternative Medicine Tends To Treat Causes Rather Than Symptoms
Mainstream
medicine tends to treat symptoms rather than address the underlying
causes of diseases or conditions. Mainstream doctors generally have
their dominant treatments, medicines and practices that relatively limit
experimentation with individual patients. Alternative medicine tends to
have more liberty to experiment and apply different treatments, and
often experiment until they get results. In general, their treatments
are typically very safe and often natural. (Alternative medicine
practitioners often do and should earn income from their practices and
products; but could it be that there is much more money in symptom
management in the mainstream camps?)
3. Alternative Medicine
Tends To Embrace And Work With The Subjective Realities Of The Mind,
Belief, Expectation, Emotions, Attitude, etc. Of The Whole Person
Mainstream
medicine has for decades tended to dismiss the powerful realities and
roles that belief, expectancy and emotions play in health and healing.
Double-blind tests and objectivity are often highly necessary and
important. However, belief, expectation and other factors are also
important and powerful when it comes to health and healing. The
internal, subjective experience of a subject is crucial and cannot be
denied. Many people today are aware that the human mind and imagination
hold unrealized potential in many areas, including health and healing.
Consider the amazing experiments, results and fun that have been
attained from hypnosis - by the belief of the mind. In education,
whether a student can or can't do a given task, is often determined by
his or her level of belief and expectation. This is known as
"self-fulfilling prophecy."
In the medical field, it has been
effectively demonstrated that a single thought (with emotion) can
dramatically affect a subject's white blood cell count which is crucial
to the immune systems and healing. In subjects who were asked to think
of an experience that caused them some sort of negative feeling, their
white blood count almost immediately went down. In the same subjects,
when asked to think of something positive, their white blood cell counts
almost immediately sky rocketed far above the baseline.
It has
also been demonstrated that laughter can enhance the white blood cell
count, healing endorphins and functions of immune system. Even the Good
Book reveals being happy is good like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22).
Mainstream medicine, for years, has tended to ignore or discount such
subjective experiments. Objectivity is often important, but to deny and
investigate without acknowledging the subjective experience - is to deny
or ignore reality.
4. Alternative Medicine Is Not Dependent Upon Patented Drugs
Mainstream
medicine tends to support and is highly dependent upon the
pharmaceutical industry, which often uses unnatural substances.
Apparently, substances that are naturally-occurring cannot be patented.
From what we understand, this is generally why the pharmaceutical
companies tend to create their own substances, so they can obtain
patents and so gain higher profits. Again, some medications are
necessary and beneficial. But, again, consider the many once "approved"
drugs that have been recalled due to harm and even deaths. Consider the
many potential side-effects they list in the ads of drugs currently on
the market. (Uh, no thanks . . . I'd rather keep my disease!)
Alternative
medicine is not generally into patenting their substances, or at least
is not as dependent upon patents. And their treatments are typically
safe when used correctly, or are natural. Yes, even "natural" substances
can be unsafe, but they must be used appropriately. Alternative
treatments aren't always successful. But often treatments can easily be
modified or changed until something does work.
5. Alternative
Medicine Tends To Have A Broader Perspective Of Health and Healing,
Allowing More Flexibility and Adaptability When Treating Patients
Mainstream
medicine tends to be limited in its approaches and treatments,
generally staying solely with medical school practices. How many times
have you heard of a doctor giving up on a patient and sending them home
to die? Yet, alternative medicine has many types of treatments, and is
credited with actually healing a good percentage of patients in the late
stages of diseases (after their mainstream doctors had given up on
them). Jim's doctor had given him only 6 months to live; but after he
started the alternative, natural treatment for his emphysema, his lungs
became 70% clear in only six weeks. And this was revealed and stated by
his doctor who had given up on him.
Again, alternative medicine
treatments aren't always effective. But they have demonstrated much more
effectiveness than some of mainstream medicine's treatments. After
Jim's doctor told him he had only six months to live, he had no hope,
and hopelessness has been linked to early deaths. Without hope, it has
been observed, the mind and body tend to weaken and slowly shut down,
thus bringing on death sooner. Once Jim heard about the treatment that
saved his life, he began to have hope. Hope wasn't really necessary with
the treatment that he used (as it has been used successfully on people
who had little or no expectation of it). However, hope was enough to get
him to try it and take action. (Jim has been thankful for 20 years
since.)
Alternative medicine has a broader perspective, approach
and adaptability than does mainstream medicine. Thankfully, mainstream
medicine in recent years is more accommodating of alternative medicine;
they sometimes refer to it as "complimentary medicine." Many alternative
therapies will not conflict with mainstream medicine treatments so they
can often be done along with mainstream treatments.
6.
Alternative Medicine Fundamentally Embraces The Now-Known Reality That
Good Nutrition, Balancing And Cleansing The Body Is Fundamental To
Health And Healing
For decades, mainstream medicine in general
has tended to downplay and even sometimes mock the importance of
nutrition, balancing, and cleansing the body. Yet, properly nourishing,
balancing and cleansing the body has demonstrated many times that it can
greatly assist the body in healing itself. Now, after years of
alternative assertions as to the importance of these, even many
mainstream practitioners are now eating healthier, taking nutritional
supplements, exercising, and balancing and cleansing their own bodies
personally.
Mainstream medical students, at least in the past,
receive relatively few hours of training in nutrition as compared with
many hours of their other medical training. This seems to reveal that
mainstream medicine has not tended to value the importance of how
critical properly nourishing and cleansing the body is to general health
and healing. (A crazy thought: If society was much healthier in
general from better nutrition and cleansing, maybe we wouldn't need less
of the not-so-healthy drugs of mainstream medicine.) Of course
their other medical training is important. However, in recent years, it
is great news that even mainstream medical sources are now realizing the
extreme importance of good nutrition as alternative practitioners have
asserted for decades.
Now, more and more people are being educated
by alternative medical knowledge. We are realizing the almost common
sense that cells need proper nutrition to be healthy, that the functions
of the body need to be balanced, and that, as the processes of food are
being converted into energy, toxins are (the by-products that
accumulate in the cells) major contributors of disease and adverse
conditions. As an automobile needs appropriate fuel, the systems need to
be in tune (balanced) (i.e., clean spark plugs), and the exhaust needs
to be effectively released - so too do our bodies. With nutrition,
balancing and cleansing as important as they are now generally known to
be to health and healing, it would be wise to be open to the
professional knowledge of someone who is knowledgeable in these areas.
One woman totally healed herself of breast cancer, and much of her
"treatment" was getting excellent nutrition. Incidentally, this woman
was and is a mainstream medical doctor who once worked in a mainstream
hospital. The more you learn about proper nutrition, quite possibly,
which is the natural tendency of life - you may find you need medicine
and doctor's appointments less and less. Proper nutrition, cleansing and
exercise are foundational to alternative medicine.
7.
Alternative Medicine Practitioners Are Generally Highly Informed About
The Treatments They Prescribe Or Administer As Opposed To Mainstream
Doctors Who Are Often "Educated" By Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives
About Their Latest Approved Drugs
As many new approved
pharmaceutical drugs are released on the market each year, mainstream
medical doctors tend to know relatively little about them, especially if
the doctors have been out of medical school for years. So the doctors
are typically educated about the new drugs by the respective
pharmaceutical company sales representatives. Alternative medicine
doctors or practitioners are typically very educated about the
treatments they prescribe, administer or suggest.
8. Alternative Medicine Tends To Avoid Dependency On Treatments
Again,
the human body instinctively and naturally tends to try to heal itself
and to get itself back to homeostasis, health, wholeness, and ease (as
opposed to "dis-eased"), externally and internally. A disease, illness,
condition, ailment or injury is a health crisis. It seems that the role
of any medicine should be to get the body out of a state of health
crisis as soon as possible. Yet, mainstream medicine tends to create a
dependency upon a medication. This is basically symptom management.
Alternative medicine's primary purpose is, in general, to get the body
out of a health crisis as soon as possible, and eliminate or minimize
dependency.
9. Alternative Medicine's Treatments, Especially
Natural Remedies, Often Can Remedy More Than One Disease, Illness,
Condition or Symptom At The Same Time
Many alternative
treatments, especially natural remedies, can remedy more than one
disease, condition or ailment at a time. Diseases, conditions or
ailments at the causal levels can often manifest themselves with
multiple symptoms. When a disease or condition is treated at the causal
level, or the body is effectively supported, oftentimes - multiple
symptoms have been known to reduce or disappear. When the immune system
or affected organs are strengthened, it is common sense that they would
be stronger in general to fight off other forms of disease, illness or
conditions.
Jim did the treatment that saved his life for his
emphysema and COPD. However, weeks later - he discovered that the
arthritis he had for years also had disappeared. Doing this treatment
was the only thing he changed in his life-style during that time, so it
was highly likely the treatment got the credit. In fact, he never even
quit smoking during that time of treatment, nor during all these 20
years since. Many people have experienced multiple healings from a
single alternative treatment or remedy.
10. Alternative
Medicine's Treatments Can Often Be Done Without Medical Oversight And
Knowledge Can Empower Individuals and Families To Improve Their Own
Health Many alternative treatments, especially natural remedies, can
be done without medical intervention, oversight or prescription. A
great thing about alternative medicine is that you can learn much of it
on your own just by reading what qualified sources have to say. And this
can lead to less dependency upon medicine and incurring medical
expenses. And many alternative medicine doctors and practitioners
actually practice a philosophy of educating their patients to not to
need them so much in the future.
It generally takes initiative and
effort to think and learn about alternative medicine and remedies. This
requires personal responsibility ... which is why the majority of
people would prefer to not expend the time and energy to learn for
themselves, thus often relying blindly upon their doctors. However, as
is consistent with life and reality, the long term effort of personal
responsibility and gaining knowledge pays bountiful rewards.
We
hope this article has encouraged and excited you to begin or continue
your personal discovery of the value, validity and advantages of the
many areas and successes of alternative medicine.
NECESSARY
DISCLAIMER:The information in this report and in the e-book has not been
evaluated by the FDA. The information is not intended to treat,
diagnose or prevent any disease, illness or condition; it is for
educational purposes only. It is recommended that before attempting any
treatment you educate yourself as much as possible and gain sound
medical advice, preferably by a medical practitioner who is open to
and/or educated in the diverse areas of alternative medicine.
Jim, the man who beat emphysema, COPD and arthritis in six weeks,
has been my father-in-law for 12 years. His Doctor declared Jim's lungs
were 70% clear (from only 6 weeks of this treatment). 20 years ago,
when I and many others witnessed Jim's amazing recovery, my mind was
opened to discover the amazing world of alternative medicine and natural
remedies. Since then, and throughout college, I have learned and
experienced many amazing successes. There are some questionable
treatments out there, but the ones I've studied and experienced usually
get amazing results - and are abundantly credible.By
Al F.
