How Alternative Medicine Treats

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Let me first preface this article by saying, I admire many parts of Western medicine and without a doubt the world is a better place with its advances. We should be grateful for the many aspects and discoveries over the centuries that have given Western medicine its place in our healing arena. I have patients who always come in to my office with a Western diagnosis, blood work and X-rays. All of these are great tools that can be incorporated into ANY practice, alternative or Western.

Healing with alternative medicine is a gift for anyone wishing to move away from the clutches of Western medicine and their compartmentalizing approach to treatment. Between the push and aggravation from the insurance companies to the pressures and red tape doctors have to confront, it is no wonder so many have been lead to spending less than 5 minutes with their patients, pushing the latest pill of the month on anyone and everyone and having to deal with mountains of paper work in order to get reimbursed. The real focus of the doctor is to show the patient who they really are. This is a lost art in Western medicine, not to mention the fact that most doctors only treat symptoms.

I am in the field of alternative medicine, acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The beauty of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture is that this medicine takes a look at disorders according to their pattern diagnosis. Another words, two people can be diagnosed with a Western diagnosis of hypertension and yet they could have two completely different patterns. This is what makes this medicine so individualized. In Western medicine, as you know, the patient is given antihypertensives, which are a class of drugs that are used to treat hypertension.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture is done along with an herbal decoction that is appropriate to YOUR pattern diagnosis. The great thing about this is, that as your body starts to find its own balance again, your pattern diagnosis will change. This is Western medicine falls short, as the antihypertensives drugs are a one-size-fits all prescription. Your acupuncture/herbalist can alter your herbal decoction as well as acu-points to fit your ever-changing pattern.

With that said... when dealing with any type of alternative, complimentary, or natural medicine, it may take time to see the results you want to see. Remember, you did not become ill (off balance) overnight, so your journey back to balance does not happen overnight either! I often find it very interesting when a patient will say to me, "oh ya, I tried natural medicine (acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, ayurveda....) and it didn't work for me". It is often due to several things, but usually it is because the patient did not give it time to work, well.

This medicine is brilliant for so many conditions. Acute conditions can usually bounce back in 4-6 treatments. Chronic conditions can take anywhere between 3 months to a year. I have seen this over and over again in my years of practice. Unfortunately, we live in a world now where everyone wants everything, yesterday and the art of experiencing the moment and having patience gets lost very easily.

The other benefit to alternative medicine are its mind/body approach. This is unique to alternative healthcare. Treating the way we look at our health and our spiritual connections in our life's journey can either support who we are, or destroy what we can become! There is an emotional attachment to every disorder and discovering, coming to terms with and addressing the underlying emotional attachment is often important in the whole healing process.

So if you are interested in choosing health care that is holistic and whole body, I would recommend seeking out your local alternative health care practitioner or a licensed acupuncturist and certified Chinese herbalist.

Andrew Pacholyk MS LAc
Peacefulmind.com
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit