Alternative Medicine Overview of Alternative Medicine
Why choose alternative medicine?
Whereas in days past the physician was also somewhat of a priest, modern medicine has became so specialized in treating the ailments of humanity from a narrow mechanistic perspective that it has forgotten its role of healing the spirit. With medical problems that are primarily mechanical the medical approach has triumphed. But when disease is caused by poor life habits, or when it lies deeper yet in the spirit and healing rather than repairing is required, the medical approach fails to cure, because it lacks the necessary holistic perspective and depth of understanding.
The essence of the holistic approach is the recognition that human beings are unitary organisms where the different parts are actually interrelated and finely coordinated by some vital unifying principle. Thus a disease condition that presents locally needs to be considered in the broader, human sphere in which it manifests. Holistic treatment accordingly requires addressing the whole person and even the surrounding environment, either by addressing several important aspects at once (e.g., diet, lifestyle skills, and emotional habits) or through accessing the spiritual essence of the person, an imbalance in which leads to disturbances that appear as poor diet or habits, mental-emotional distress, inability to handle the physical or social environment, and so on.
Depth of understanding refers to the need to question every symptom and phenomenon in order to uncover its true nature and cause, a task which modern medicine is not equipped for due to its rejection of the existence of the spirit. For example, through careful questioning the classical homeopath is able to discover in what way the physical and psychological symptoms bothering the patient are manifestations of an imbalance at the spiritual level. It is only through addressing illness at this level that real, self-sustaining and long-lasting healing can be achieved.
Which alternative treatment is appropriate?
There is seemingly too much choice in alternative medicine. Among the countless perspectives on healing there are ones that hardly differ from the conventional medical approach, while at the other extreme there are esoteric spiritual disciplines, psychic healing, and other ‘New Age’ approaches of unknown efficacy. Between these two extremes are found (i) systems that deal with the connection between external factors such as diet, lifestyle, and environment with respect to their influence on physical and psychological well-being, (ii) mind-body techniques based on Eastern traditions or recent scientific research, and (iii) comprehensive systems of energy medicine such as classical homeopathy and Chinese medicine. These balanced alternative approaches combine a proper holistic philosophy with a coherent and reliable clinical methodology. Among those are found:
- Classical homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of energy medicine that takes a holistic approach in the treatment of virtually all physical and mental-emotional conditions. It is additionally capable of addressing a vast array of complaints that do not fit into traditional medical or psychological categories, including vague physical or psychological symptoms, developmental and behavioural difficulties, and spiritual challenges not normally considered worthy of medical or psychological attention. Homeopathic treatment is a subtle art that begins with careful observation, patient listening, and exact questioning. By paying attention to minute differences between people, homeopathic prescription is highly individualized. continue »
- Naturopathic medicine is the overarching philosophy under which many alternative approaches can be classified. Naturopathic medicine has existed in various forms since antiquity, and in modern form for the past 100 years. According to naturopathic philosophy, the actual symptoms that patients complain of are not themselves the disease, but are the manifestation of some underlying imbalance in the organism. This philosophical perspective translates into treatment methods that do not target symptoms directly but instead strive to shift the organism away from its current state toward another state of better overall health. Applying naturopathic principles requires a measure of both insight and creativity in diagnosing the nature of the imbalance and in devising appropriate treatment. continue »
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a simple-to-use yet powerful synthesis of the ancient principles of Chinese medicine with the modern understanding of the mind-body connection. Its main strength lies in the ability directly to access and resolve both acute and long-standing emotional problems. EFT can be used to treat fears and phobias, emotional trauma, tormenting thoughts and feelings, behavioural problems, and more. In addition, EFT can be used to enhance performance in various life activities (public speaking, academics, sports) by addressing emotional challenges that arise during these activities. It is a simple technique that can be quickly learned and applied independently by the patient. continue »
- Bowen Technique is an innovative hands-on treatment that is highly effective at treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems. Practiced by a small but quickly growing number of practitioners around the world, it is most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain and injury, and for helping to improve posture and ease of movement. Bowen treatment consists of a series of subtle challenges to specific muscle groups, using a light motion that resembles the plucking of a guitar string. The end result of a treatment series is the re-establishment of the greatest possible balance in the body’s musculoskeletal architecture. continue »
Classical homeopath and naturopathic doctor David Nortman specializes in the treatment of psychological and stress-related conditions, chronic pain and injury, and child behaviour and development using the techniques above individually or in combination.
Please feel free to request the free, no-obligation, 20-minute introductory appointment to have your questions answered in person.
