Traditional Therapies - Alternative & Complementary Medicine

Articles & Presentations

Alternative & Complementary Medicine

By Dr.Anthony G. Ziagos, Sr., AMD, NMD, MBA

Try it and call me in the morning

It has been reported that we will spend 8.5 BILLION dollars on Complimentary and Alternative Medical Health Care this year. You cannot read a newspaper or listen to the evening news without being exposed to information about Naturopathy, Vitamin, Mineral, and Dietary Supplements, Traditional Therapies, Diet and Exercise, or the latest medical study done by a "leading research institute". Consumers are not sure where to turn for holistic healthcare or whom to believe. Claims and counter claims by special interest groups regarding products and treatments have created an environment that places marketing and profit ahead of the consumer's benefit. Even an educated, pro-active healthcare consumer must give pause and evaluate their choices.

There is no consensus in the United States today regarding certification, licensing, or laws governing Complimentary and Alternative Medical Practitioners. From state to state, different standards and rules apply regarding practitioners and their practices. Many of the healing art disciplines have been practiced for hundreds of years without formal associations or government interference. The knowledge and information, once held by a few practitioners, is being sought out and taught to a larger audience. Traditionally, practitioners have learned these skills by studying at alternative educational institutions, by private research and study, or a few fortunate ones have had this information passed down from one generation to another. In great demand now by the general public, most major medical institutions across the U.S. like Harvard, John Hopkins now have Alternative and Complimentary Medicine courses included in their curriculum as electives for MD's. To meet the current demand, "Holistic Healthcare Providers" and "Alternative Medical Practitioners", are offering their services. Consumers, taking a pro-active roll in their own health care, are looking for these professionals. Documented domestic and international studies have demonstrated the benefits of traditional therapies on the negative effects of poor diet, environmental contamination, poor posture, and a variety of "dis-ease" that has manifested in their bodies. Furthermore, consumers are seeking relief and comfort from headaches and body aches and other human conditions that have caused them discomfort and suffering.

Every day, thousands of people find comfort and relief from Naturopaths, Herbalists, Aromatherapists, Reiki Practitioners, Massage Therapists, and other healing art practitioners.

Outside the United States, consumers have a choice of healthcare options. Since there is no consensus or agreement on a delivery system or qualification standard for practitioners, the public is denied a choice in healthcare treatment options, and natural health practitioners are denied a legitimate role in our healthcare system. We can all agree there is no substitute for Allopathic (Western) Medicine when it comes to emergency medical care. However, Allopathic care is just one alternative for preventive medicine or assessment care. Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine (including Acupuncture), and Naturopathy are among the most sought after treatment options in other parts of the civilized world. The problem is further complicated due to insurance company and third party medical reimbursement systems that have not acknowledged the benefit of drugless remedies, preventive medicine and holistic healthcare. The consumer is still demanding alternative treatments and drugless remedies that are not readily available from allopathic physicians despite the reimbursement issue.

With regard to Naturopaths and most Alternative & Complimentary Medical Practitioners, there are four practice models that exist in the U.S. today. Registered, certified, licensed, unregulated. There are 11 States that license Naturopathic Physicians; Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Utah, Vermont, Alaska and Hawaii. Washington, D.C. registers Traditional Naturopaths. Minnesota has what is referred to as an "Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Freedom of Access" statute. It exempts 22 different healing art practitioners and offers them the right to practice as long as they follow guidelines established by the state. According to Boyd Landry the Executive Director of the Coalition for Natural Health (CNH), a Washington, DC non-profit association prefers the unregulated model. Their goal is to see freedom of choice to access natural health options for both practitioners and consumers. CNH is opposed to the licensing laws in the 11 states, because the licensing laws greatly restrict natural health practices outside of Naturopathic Medicine. However they acknowledge the Minnesota model is least intrusive of three remaining options. Idaho has a county that licenses Naturopaths on an independent basis. CNH feels that Rhode Island will adopt a statute similar to Minnesota within the next year. Dr. Steve Arnett, MD from the Southern Graduate Institute of Natural Medical Science has indicated that Kentucky is reviewing a registration statute now. The remaining 34 states have no licensing or registration policy at this time and Boyd Landry of CNH feels they will not pass any legislation in the near future.

The majority of the country, including Massachusetts, offers both the consumer and the practitioner the right to access and practice Naturopathic or other Alternative and Complementary Therapies to enhance a holistic approach to healthcare.
There are several national organizations that certify Naturopaths and other Holistic and Alternative Healthcare Providers. Most reputable professional organizations require, high academic standards including continuing education, several years of practical experience in patient care, and strict code of ethics. National certification is not a license to practice, it is a peer review standard to promote and insure high quality within a discipline. From a practical perspective, certification has and should be been relied upon by the consumer to insure accountability, professional treatment, and quality service.

Alternative and complimentary healthcare should be available to everyone. Naturopaths and other Alternative Medical Providers practicing preventive medicine and nutritional counseling can provide valuable information. There are dozens of therapies and treatments that can safely and effectively prevent and alleviate patient "dis-ease" and reduce unnecessary demands to an over burdened healthcare system as we know it today.