No competent natural healer would ever suggest that you bypass the emergency room if you're seriously injured in an accident. Nor should you forgo medical help if you suddenly come down with a life-threatening illness. No one should stop taking prescription medicine for serious conditions like cancer or heart disease in favor of a highly questionable therapy with no track record or scientific basis, says Dr. Fugh-Berman. But natural healing and conventional medicine can and should peacefully co-exist. Herbal medicine, for example, has tonics that help support heart function while you take your regularly prescribed medication.
Some herbs can ease the discomfort of cancer treatments.
But we don't have or use weapons that can handle the little problems before they become chronic conditions. Instead, we use tools like acupuncture, dietary therapy and massage , which can halt the progression or reverse an illness before it becomes unmanageable. Indeed, treating health problems before they become chronic may be the common denominator for therapies as diverse as Traditional Chinese Medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, yoga and herbal medicine. In fact, perhaps the most important advantage offered by many natural-healing disciplines is their ability to help you stay healthy. If you decide to try an alternative therapy, tell your family physician about your plans.