Alternative Medicine has been around since ancient times and has been used by both animals and humans. So why isn’t it trusted? Critics say that alternative medicine is “unproven” but statistically it has a higher success rate and it works long term. In actuality, alternative medicine is the right choice; conventional medicine just doesn’t cut it.

Alternative medicine contains a variety of treatments. All ranging from therapies to needles. Meditation is one type of therapy; it increases the gray matter in the brain and reduces the risk of heart attacks because it is a stress reducer. Gray matter in the brain is what controls sensory nerves and sends a message to your muscles on how to move. A chiropractor preforms a physical therapy where they move the bones around to help skeletal and muscular pains. Aromatherapy creates better mental and physical health. It uses herbal oils and flowers it is applied to the skin through massage or in a warm bath. Also if breathed in, the oils trigger olfactory glands. Also there is acupuncture. Acupuncture is a treatment in which an acupuncturist places needles in one’s body in specific places to stimulate nerves. Alternative Medicine is often criticized. So how does it differ with conventional medicine? Alternative Medicine has been used since the beginning of times by animals and humans so it is older. Now conventional medicine is pretty new and advanced, so the difference is really the amount of time it has existed. Also, conventional medicine is what a common doctor would prescribe. For example an antibiotic would be conventional medicine whereas acupuncture is an alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine was first technically used by animals. Humans observed this behavior and later copied it, this has been going on for ages. In the very beginning, medicine used was charms, spells, and religious rituals. This was combined with good diet, exercise, fresh air, sunlight, sleep, massage, herbs, roots, bark, leaves, and seeds. Many toxic drugs were used, but they stopped using them due to unsafe side effects. Native Americans were among some of the known users of alternative medicine. They used herbs, shrubs, and tree bark. Their treatments were based purely on nature and folk tradition. Acupuncture has been used up to 2,000 to 5,000 years ago. It started in Eastern regions and was used on livestock. Aromatherapy was used by Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. One popular Arabian physician distilled aromatic oils from plants, which was revolutionary. Speaking of revolutionary, Western medicine became the definition of revolutionary. Alternative medicine became more successful. So successful that 1/3 of medical schools were alternative medical schools. They realized that conventional medicine wasn’t working, for one patients were advised to drink water from sources that had dirty water. Also, doctors performed surgeries without washing their hands which led to many further diseases. The success of alternative medicine combined with the ineffectiveness of conventional medicine affected the use of medicines later on.

Alternative medicine is still used in modern times. One commonly used medicine is dietary supplements. Dietary supplements boost nutrients and help fight diseases such as heart disease, infection, and osteoporosis. These supplements are filled with proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbs. Many healthcare specialists recommend them; clearly it has many benefits and should be accepted. Another treatment that is used a lot is bodywork. Bodywork helps exactly what it says, your body. It helps alignment, flexibility, and coordination. There are 4 different types of bodywork. One is Hellerwork, which uses deep tissue massages. It fixes headaches, musculoskeletal pains, and stress. There is also the Trager Approach. It includes mental and physical exercises and it helps with mobility. It helps with Asthma, headaches, high blood pressure, and Sciatica. Another type of bodywork is Feldenkrais Method. This incorporates coordination and flexibility with hands on guidance and verbal instruction. It is meant to help victims of stroke, spinal disorders, musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, and chronic pain. Lastly is the Alexander technique it improves posture, stops fatigue, insomnia, and stress. It cures back, joint pain, circulatory and digestive problems. Obviously if alternative medicine has been used since ancient times all the way until now it must be effective and cure what it says it will.

Yes, alternative medicine does have critics that say that it is not to be used, but there are many more reasons why alternative medicine is better than conventional medicine. For one, conventional medicine just isn’t good for you. It has been known to create a drug addiction which becomes a bigger problem than the illness. Also, not all conventional medicine fixes the problem, just relieves the pain. These drugs don’t work long term and can be dangerous. It is known that doctors replace dangerous drugs with other drugs that are only a little less dangerous. Also, these medications have side effects that are worse than the original disease. Such as Xanax, when people stop using Xanax, their panic attacks are proven to increase 300 to 400 percent. Still think conventional medicine is the way to go? Many people support the opposing medicine, alternative medicine. One reason many people turn to alternative medicine is because it costs less, and so does the research for it. Also it can help people overcome their disease, or if the illness can’t be beat it helps the patient live more comfortably with it. The controversy concerning alternative medicine is that is unproven. However not only patients of alternative medicine are happier with it, it also cures their disease safely. Not using harmful drugs with potentially fatal side effects. Alternative medicine is a clear choice, it comes straight from nature, it has been used from the beginning of time, and is less costly. Only the most ignorant of people would not accept alternative medicine. Are you ignorant?