> Holistic Healing > Naturopathy

For decades, a medical war has raged. So-called "orthodox" and "alternative" therapies have fought for power, tallying up victories in the number of patients each side has converted. But no longer. We are seeing integration, the laying down of arms. Patients and practitioners are demanding convergence. The ultimate outcome: more lives saved and better quality of life than ever.

Elizabeth Strand, an avid horse trainer, endured 15 years of extreme fatigue and prolonged bed rest with fibromyalgia. This chronic illness left the South Dakota resident depleted and unable to work. At one point, she was taking nine different drugs, but never seemed to improve.

Then someone suggested vitamin supplements. Her husband Ray, a family physician skeptical of alternative methods, decided: “Why not? Nothing else has worked.”

Within three days of taking high-quality nutritional supplements, Elizabeth felt better. Within three weeks, she was off all medication. Within three months, she displayed more energy than she’d had in a decade.

His wife’s success inspired Ray to do his own medical research. The result? This family doctor passionately advocates nutritional supplements and makes them the cornerstone of his medical practice. Combined with modest exercise and a high-fibre, low-fat diet of whole foods, he recommends them as a pathway to tremendous health.

"The results are amazing," says Dr. Strand, author of What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You (Thomas Nelson Publishing, 2002). “I’m using drugs as a last, not first, resort for my patients.”

What’s the Difference?

Some call allopathic care the "quick fix" approach because it stresses the use of medication and speedy intervention to remove a symptom, illness or disease. Allopathic doctors prescribe chemicals or suggest surgery to solve problems.

By contrast, naturopathic doctors search for underlying causes and treat people as whole beings, factoring in emotional and environmental influences, diet and nutrition. Naturopathy takes a preventive approach using natural, non-toxic techniques that range from traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture to herbal remedies. Naturopaths choose the least invasive therapy available to maximize the body’s own healing powers.

"The real difference between the two healing camps is that complementary practitioners encourage self-care and self-responsibility,” says Zoltan Rona, MD, a Toronto doctor who practises complementary medicine.

Dr. Rona fully recognizes the limitations of conventional health care. “Mainstream medicine leaves a lot to be desired in the treatment or prevention of chronic illnesses like arthritis, cancer, diabetes and heart disease,” he says. “At best, conventional medicine suppresses the symptoms of degenerative disease. At worst, it creates new disease or kills its patients through the side-effects of drugs and surgery.” He found the benefits of alternative medicine in his own life: vitamin and mineral supplements improved his performance as a tournament tennis player.

More People Seek Alternative Treatment

Increasingly, more patients seek alternative medicine to augment or replace treatment by their family doctors. Seventy-four per cent of people in the US say they want a more natural approach to health care, according to Alternative Medicine Online.

On Canada’s West Coast, Patricia Blair’s medical doctor could offer her no conventional treatment. The Vancouver, BC resident suffers from extreme chemical sensitivities and reacts severely to almost all medication. Immobile and weakened by steroids, she sought the help of a homeopathic doctor.

"Homeopathy was the first thing that helped me in years," says Blair. “It made a big difference.” Within several weeks of alternative care, she felt stronger and had more energy. After a month, she could walk blocks without stopping to rest. Blair still sees her medical doctor for general treatment and continues with a variety of alternative medicines. “We need a balance,” she says. “We can’t do away with allopathy.”

"We see the rejects of the medical system," admits Dr. Christine Craig, ND, a naturopath in Kelowna, BC. She cites numerous patients who faced a terminal diagnosis or severe surgery and sought her beneficial treatment or cure instead. Their conditions have ranged from brain cancer and infertility to autoimmune diseases.

Heather Conn writes freelance articles on health, environment, lifestyle, and arts and culture for a variety of media.

Source: alive #247, May 2003