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An Awesome Web resource for Shopping, Learning, and Living. |
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Our Featured topic is Alternative Health |
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A health or medical practice is called "alternative" if it is based on untested, untraditional, or unscientific principles, methods, treatments,
or knowledge. "Alternative" medicine is often based upon metaphysical beliefs and is frequently anti-scientific. Because truly "alternative" medical
practices would be ones that are known to be equally or nearly equally effective, most "alternative" medical practices are not truly "alternative,"
but quackery. If the "alternative" health practice is offered along with conventional medicine, it is referred to as "complementary" medicine. It is estimated that "alternative" medicine is a $15 billion a year business. Traditionally, most insurance companies have not covered "alternative" medicine, but American Western Life Insurance Company is typical of a growing trend. It offers a network of about 300 providers in California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah specializing in acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, chiropractic, herbal medicine, massage, naturopathy, reflexology and yoga, among other therapies. Also, Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. has reimbursed clients for the costs of a non-surgical "alternative" therapy for heart disease. Dr. Dean Ornish, an internist and director of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, developed the therapy, which includes a vegetarian diet, meditation and exercise. Mutual of Omaha was quick to note that they were not opening the door to covering all forms of "alternative" therapies. They considered Dr. Ornish's treatment to have been proven to be effective. The National Institutes of Health's Office of Alternative Medicine has supported a number of research studies of unorthodox cures, including the use of shark cartilage to treat cancer and the effectiveness of bee pollen in treating allergies. The most popular "alternative" therapies are relaxation techniques, chiropractic, herbal medicine and massage. Very few scientific studies are done by "alternative" practitioners. Indeed, many disdain science in favor of metaphysics, faith, and magical thinking. To find out more, visit the Alternative Health, Herbs, and Acupuncture Sections of our directory. |
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| HOME Copyright elitedirectory.us v1.07 2006 The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. |
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