The Growth of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the Elderly

When it comes to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), the elderly are taking a backseat to nobody. According to an AARP and NCCAM survey, over half (53%) of older adults use some form of CAM, making Scottsdale Alternative Medicine popular.

Who’s Driving the Trend?Studies report the use of CAM increases with education, and women are more likely to take advantage of CAM than men: 51 to 43%, respectively. Broken down by age range, a large percentage of the population is taking advantage of CAM’s many benefits:

• 44.1% of 50-59 year olds.
• 41% of 60-69 year olds.
• 32.1% of 70-84 year olds.
• 24.2% of those 85 and older.

What CAM Therapies Have Elders Hot-Rodding to Their Alternative Medicine and Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale?

• Herbs and SupplementsHerbal products and dietary supplements are commonly used, with just over a third (37 percent) of respondents reporting their use for maintaining health and managing illnesses.

• AcupunctureEffective and non-invasive, especially when compared to surgery, this ancient practice can restore and balance energy flow. A wonderful non-surgical treatment for many issues, from constitutional disorders to pain, and especially effective when used in conjunction with chiropractic and/or massage therapy.

• Dietary TherapyThe aging population is more frequently turning to CAM professionals for help implementing a more natural, holistic diet better suited to supporting a healthy constitution than today’s typical chemical laden, processed food fare.

• Mind-Body MedicineA variety of techniques ranging from patient support groups to cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation and prayer, as well as the use of other creative outlets such as art, music, and dance, have been shown both popular and effective for a wide range of health disorders.

Ready to jump on the CAM bandwagon? Find an alternative medicine and naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale today!

Role of Alternative Medicine in Modern Society

Naturopathic medicine, regaled in time’s past, has now found its home in the present. Naturopathic medicine in Phoenix is now commonly and frequently used to treat a variety of ailments. Cementing this trend: Ringing endorsements from the medical community and increased interest in studies seeking to prove the legitimacy of a host of alternative methods.

A melting pot of remedies
Alternative and natural medicine forms are many, including acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, chelation therapy, herbal medicines, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and meditation to name but a few. And the list of alternative solutions commonly accepted and endorsed by the mainstream medical community and public at large continues to grow at an ever increasing pace.

A cooperative approach
Thanks in part to alternative and natural medicine, gone are expectations of a co-pay given and prescription received. Today’s era of integrative patient care carries with it the boon of a more participatory role by patients. As patients continue to push to be in the driver’s seat, playing a direct role in reaching their goals of health and total well-being, the culture of medicine is shifting.

A more integrative future
A normal part of everyday life in other parts of the world, Americans are increasingly taking advantage of alternative medicine, choosing natural remedies over synthetic pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures. The mainstream medical community is increasingly taking notice, resulting in the weaving of these natural and alternative treatments into the fabric of healthcare, and in the creation of new norms as medical centers and insurance companies struggle to keep up with patient demand.
What’s your healthcare future look like? Change is here. Find a practitioner of naturopathic medicine in Phoenix today.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is fantastic, but it’s not a miracle cure. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of alternative medicine when visiting your naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale can help you approach treatment with more realistic expectations, supporting a positive outcome and reducing disappointment.

Alternative Medicine in Scottsdale: Know Before You Go!

PROS

• A holistic approach…
  Alternative medicine emphasizes whole-person care, rather than traditional medicine’s sole focus on problem areas – one of the main reasons the use of alternative medicine is on the rise. 

• A personal touch…
  Alternative medicine offers more one-on-one attention versus the packed waiting room, time-strapped milieu you’ll get in conventional doctors’ offices. 

• A focus on prevention…
  Well visits, rather than sick care is stressed, emphasizing a proactive approach to whole mind and body wellness.
  
  “The superior doctor prevents sickness;
  The mediocre doctor attends to impending sickness;
  The inferior doctor treats actual sickness.”
  - Chinese Proverb
  
  

     CONS

• Limited scientific research…
  Though scientific research into alternative approaches is on the rise due to increased consumer demand, compared to traditional methods, evidence is more limited in scope and largely related to clinical outcomes. 

• Confusing jargon...
  For those not in-the-know, supplement, vitamin, mineral, and herb jargon can be confusing, as can the common assumption that “natural” means risk-free. 

• Potential drug interactions...
  Even in products with no artificial ingredient, vitamins, minerals, and herbs may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medication – or create side effects of their own. Opting for primary care physicians with a more integrative approach can reduce these risks. 

• Not for emergencies…
  While alternative medicine is great for palliative and preventive care, severe emergencies are best treated by conventional care.

It is possible to enjoy the best of both worlds – with the help of the right naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale. Experience superior health. Find an integrative alternative medicine center near you today.

How Pain Patients Use Alternative Medicine for Pain Relief

As a result of the expense of prescription drugs as well as their many side-effects and possibilities of dependency, pain suffers in Arizona are looking to complementary and naturopathic medicine for pain relief in Phoenix – and with good reason.

Alternative medicine offers a host of effective solutions for pain relief:

·         Acupuncture An alternative therapy for pain relief with an over 2,000 year history, the nearly painless insertion of tiny, hair-thin needles utilized by acupuncturists stimulate the body to release endogenous opioids – your body’s natural painkillers. The best part? The results last – far longer than the chemicals’ analgesic effect. The stunning results produced by acupuncture have prompted the World Health Organization to include pain on its list of conditions known to benefit from the treatment.

·         Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy options such as steam baths, mineral baths, hydrobaths, sitz baths and sprays, underwater massage, and techniques such as the alternation of water pressure and temperature stimulate the body to release endorphins, relaxing tissues, improving circulation, and reducing pain and muscle spasms.

·         Massage 
Massage not only feels great, it’s a time-tested method for the treatment of pain. Manipulating the soft tissue of the body not only relaxes the muscles, but stimulates the circulation, lymphatic, and nervous systems as well. It is effective for many kinds of pain including chronic low back pain.

·         Natural remedies
When the above therapies are not enough, pharmaceutical drugs are not your only alternative for pain relief. Natural remedies can also effectively decrease inflammation and provide pain relief. These include homeopathic remedies such as arnica as well as vitamins, minerals, and herbs such as capsaicin, ginger, turmeric, feverfew, and more.

Afraid you’re out of options for pain relief? There is hope. Alternative medicine offers fast, effective treatment for pain relief. Find a Phoenix/Scottsdale primary care physician specialized in natural medicine in your area today.

Alternative Medicine Treatments You Should Try -Less

From chronic pain to cholesterol issues, stress and anxiety, the U.S. takes the cake when it comes to prescription medication – or over medication as the case may be. More than half our population takes two prescription medications, and 20% of us take at least five. We’ve been led to believe there’s a magic pill to cure all, yet prescription drugs remain the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. What’s an ailing Arizonan to do? Turn to Rockwood Natural Medicine Clinic acupuncture and Scottsdale naturopathic alternative medicine to lighten your load!

How an acupuncture and alternative medicine relieve you of your prescription drug burden?

•    Lessening your prescription medicine needs.
Acupuncture is endorsed by the WHO and modern medical research as a proven method for pain relief. It is utilized by the U.S. Army on the battlefield for pain relief and post-traumatic stress, recommended by numerous U.S. drug courts in the treatment of addiction, as well as aids in the healing of a host of additional health issues and disorders.

•    Safer alternatives.
Natural remedies including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, botanical medicines, and homeopathic remedies, offer a safer alternative to side-effect ridden prescription regimens.

•    Reducing costs.
Acupuncture and alternative medicine offer a safer, longer lasting, more cost effective approach to health issues than prescription medication, treating the whole body – the primary condition – rather than symptoms alone. Over 20 states offer acupuncture in their employee insurance plans.

Prescription medications dragging you down? Lighten your medication load - Scottsdale naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist today!

How Is Naturopathic Medicine Helpful?

Naturopathic medicine can help you not only with a wide range of health conditions, but in true “health care,” maintaining a healthy body to prevent disease from interrupting your life.

What kind of issues can Scottsdale naturopathic doctors treat?

•    Colds and flus…
Without antibiotics. Miracle? We think not!

•    Chronic fatigue…
Naturopathic doctors know how to boost your energy levels – safely!

•    Fibromyalgia and chronic pain…
Kiss those pain killers and steroids good-bye for a safer, more effective solution.

•    Digestive issues…
From IBS, Crohn’s and colitis to diarrhea, constipation, and reflux – naturopathic medicine has you covered!

•    Skin conditions…
Acne, eczema, psoriasis, and more. Clear skin without corticosteroids and antibiotics.

•    Emotional issues…
Naturopathic medicine offers hope for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.

•    Women’s health…
PMS, menstrual irregularities and pain, menopause, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, fertility issues, abnormal pap smears, and more can be remedied with Phoenix naturopathic and primary care medicine.

•    Cardiovascular issues…
Naturopathic doctors with specialized training can help you with an array of cardiovascular diseases including cholesterol issues and high blood pressure.

•    Long-term health problems…
Autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and other undiagnosed conditions can all be treated with naturopathic medicine.

•    Cancer…
Any stage of cancer treatment can benefit from the help of naturopathic medicine, from improved quality of life throughout the process of chemotherapy and radiation to improving surgical outcomes and improving your chance of remission.

•    Disease prevention…
Naturopathic medicine is more than simply sick care – it is well care! Prevent the occurrence of health issues, including inherited family illness, with the help of alternative medicine.

Don’t see your health issue on the list? Naturopathic medicine can help! Find a naturopathic doctor near you and find out more today.

For Full-Body Health, You Need More Than Just a Cardiologist or Surgeon

Integrative medicine combines the best of two worlds, the conventional medical knowledge and treatment widely known in the US, and the non-conventional or holistic medical knowledge of whole-body nutrition and global health knowledge. With conventional medical methods, acute health problems can be effectively treated, but for rebuilding your body's strength and balance, you need more than just a cardiologist.

The main cause of heart attacks is atherosclerosis, a disease of the artery wall. When plaque in an artery becomes too thick, it can block blood flow, or a clot can form, causing a heart attack or stroke. Often, heart disease has no symptoms until the first heart attack. However, early screening can help identify problems and plaque build up in the arteries can be reversed.

At the same time, many cardiac patients are looking for alternatives to statin drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor. Statins certainly help with lowering blood cholesterol, but do not do the prevention work of clearing plaque from the arteries.

Naturopathic medical treatment goes beyond treating the symptoms, and investigates the underlying imbalances that brought about the medical condition. Often, our stressful modern-day lifestyles set forth imbalances that we can change, such as diet, toxins in our system, stressors in our lives. Herbal medicines used for hundreds, even thousands of years in the Ayurvedic and Chinese Traditional Medicine systems and nutrients studied and used globally can do much to restore the body's equilibrium and its natural state of health. Such remedies for heart health may include:

·  Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, and CoQ-10 can rebuild and re-energize the cardiovascular system

·  Omega-3 fatty acids can help in reversing heart damage

·  Proteolytic enzymes and chelation compounds, such as  cilantro and chlorella, can clean out the coronary arteries and repair damage

·  Natural substances such as hawthorn berry can help strengthen the heart

·  Proper dental care and the use of a wide variety of herbal compounds can reduce the incidence of periodontal disease, which is directly related to heart health

·  Nutrition can build the immune system, thereby protecting the cardiovascular system

·  Regular exercise can strengthen the heart and improve its efficiency   

Our patients have found that natural therapies can have a profound effect on lessening dependence on pharmaceutical drugs, as well as giving them a greater sense of health and well-being.

We have helped patients throughout the world in this specialty so if interested in learning more, please contact our clinic  which is conveniently located in the Phoenix, Arizona area.