Posted on Aug 26, 2015
Should Service Members and Veterans have the choice to choose naturopathic medicine?
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Naturopathic medicine offers numerous treatment options and approaches that differ from conventional medicine. Many service members and veterans are on multiple medications for a variety of reasons and still get little to no relief from their symptoms and pain. It worries me that we our overmedicating our service members and veterans, when alternative treatments may provide further relief.
I personally have a medical condition where no studies have been done concerning the long-term effects of being treated with the 'required' medication. I have been on upwards to 8 medications at a time, and the effect left me wondering how many of my symptoms were side effects from the medication and how many were related to the underlying medical condition. Recently, I have been gradually adapting natural alternatives to a healthier life while weaning myself off medication. Although numerous symptoms are still present, I am able to function with a decrease in overall symptoms and without the adverse side effects of conventional medicine.
Should naturopathic medicine have a place in military and VA treatment facilities? Should we be given the option to choose a different approach to medicine? Have you had any success with naturopathic medicine? Would you be willing to try this alternative form of medicine, if offered?
http://www.naturopathic.org/article_content.asp?article=1034
I personally have a medical condition where no studies have been done concerning the long-term effects of being treated with the 'required' medication. I have been on upwards to 8 medications at a time, and the effect left me wondering how many of my symptoms were side effects from the medication and how many were related to the underlying medical condition. Recently, I have been gradually adapting natural alternatives to a healthier life while weaning myself off medication. Although numerous symptoms are still present, I am able to function with a decrease in overall symptoms and without the adverse side effects of conventional medicine.
Should naturopathic medicine have a place in military and VA treatment facilities? Should we be given the option to choose a different approach to medicine? Have you had any success with naturopathic medicine? Would you be willing to try this alternative form of medicine, if offered?
http://www.naturopathic.org/article_content.asp?article=1034
Alternative Medicine
Healthcare
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Medical
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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There are very proven benefits of some naturopathic medicine. Unfortunately though there are also some very big unknowns as well as some flat out lies. Separating those is the problem. Right now service members actually can choose to a certain extent. What they shouldn't be able to do though is be swayed by something that has been proven not to work which is a real risk with alopathic medicine as well.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
I agree, but I'm tired of hearing that medication is the only answer. I'm tired of military doctors telling me they can only treat the symptoms instead of treating the underlying cause. Some of these doctors are kooks who use this form of medicine to scheme money out of their patients. However, this isn't much different than what you could argue big pharm is doing. I'd rather be presented with a variety of choices between conventional medicine, natural medicine, and even a combination. I want the healthcare field to refocus on empowering the patients with knowledge about their health rather than dictating treatments. Obviously, the military and VA would have to properly vet NDs, but if integrating naturopathic medicine is effective in any sense I think it's worth the hassle.
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I was a skeptic until it was tried on me and worked like a miracle. Now I use whichever medicine works the best.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
I agree, I've seen much more benefits using natural medicine then what military doctors were giving me as part of conventional medicine. If it works, it should be given as option, especially to individuals who have diagnoses that are unable to be successfully treated through conventional medicine.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SGT Kristin Wiley, what is the distinction you use between naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine? Are they the same?
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SGT Kristin Wiley
Capt Seid Waddell Naturopathic medicine is a broader term for many natural therapies, which include herbal medicine, massage, nutrition, to include homeopathy. Some of the practices that can are labeled under this umbrella term I disagree with, but many have shown signs of success.
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Absolutely. I think that homeopathic, or naturopathic is a better option in a lot of cases. I recently quit taking the bulk of my prescriptions and feel tons better. I was left initially sick for about 2 months, going through withdrawals, which to me was a testament of how much more dangerous they where than helpful.
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