Alternative Medicine (Hint: This is NOT really medicine)

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

Well, I have actually been helped by a chiropractor before, and for many spinal problems, mainstream medicine's solution is surgery, which is ungodly expensive and not even usually a permanent solution. The other is physical therapy, which is more expensive than seeing a chiropractor and generally takes several visits or days of self-directed therapy. So in that case, I'm inclined to think mainstream medicine is actually the one ripping people off.

My mother drives me crazy these days by trying to get me to use "home remedies" she's read about on Facebook. The latest is oil pulling. She thinks it will help me with my allergies and I'm like, what about that practice is supposed to be effective in treating allergies? It just doesn't make any sense. My mom is normally a skeptical person, so I dunno why she gets into this stuff.

[The Valkyrie]

Don't even get me started on homeopathy and aromatherapy.

My ex-wife (don't worry, I'm not talking about the one in the story) actually swore by aromatherapy, but I took everything she said with a grain of salt. She really didn't understand much of anything, to be honest, and since it was generally harmless crapola, I just rolled with it for the most part.

Not sure if I find it truly harmless.

People with real illnesses are going to these people and being charged a LOT of money for a "treatment" that does them no good.

Now, if they're not ill and they want to see these people, that's fine. Or if they see them at the same time as seeing an actual doctor, no problem.

I have actually encountered people who have stopped seeing doctors and gone to see these charlatans.

I equate them to faith healers.

[KichigaiNeko]

Currently finding that soy flour seems to be playing havoc with the old GI system. Can't say it is the cause, but will bring my findings up with my doctor went we next meet. And no, she doesn't 'practice' woo.

I'm pretty sure that soy just fucks with you no matter who you are, but good luck! Apparently, if you are indeed allergic to it, it still takes 100 times more of it than normal allergens to even cause a reaction in you. Start popping that edamame and monitor for hives!

Asthma is the current result. Seems it is much less when soy is excluded from the diet. Less medication too. there may be a connection and now Zen is manifesting similar issues. Could be any of 15 additives one can find in our store bought bread.

As for edemame, had to look that one up, no I don't think so. Mostly for fear of increasing debilitating asthma. So far I have avoided a hospital visit.

---

From what I have read so far, this type of soy product (apart from being in almost everything 'protein enriched') has some culminative effect on the GI system which then dominoes into the endocrine system. The search is still continuing before I can say yes I am allergic. Searching other possible 'allergy' triggers.

Better process than taking a homeopathic 'treatment'

[The Valkyrie]

Well, I have actually been helped by a chiropractor before, and for many spinal problems, mainstream medicine's solution is surgery, which is ungodly expensive and not even usually a permanent solution. The other is physical therapy, which is more expensive than seeing a chiropractor and generally takes several visits or days of self-directed therapy. So in that case, I'm inclined to think mainstream medicine is actually the one ripping people off.

My mother drives me crazy these days by trying to get me to use "home remedies" she's read about on Facebook. The latest is oil pulling. She thinks it will help me with my allergies and I'm like, what about that practice is supposed to be effective in treating allergies? It just doesn't make any sense. My mom is normally a skeptical person, so I dunno why she gets into this stuff.

I'll be honest that I'm more open to chiropractors than I am other alternatives. I've seen people who have had their backs completely screwed by chiropractors but I've also seen the same thing with surgery.

Unfortunately it happens to the best of us. In all honesty, I'd see a trained physiotherapist before I'd see a chiropractor.

Not saying they don't help people, because I've seen success stories.

[Angrboda]

I once went to a psychiatrist who practiced "orthomolecular psychiatry," being the practice that certain molecules cause people to have psychiatric symptoms. He was an old school mate of my regular psychiatrist. It was over an hour drive to see him, and I didn't stick with it long. I think back now to having him test my hair for toxicities and cringe. I don't know what I was thinking at the time.

[Bad Writer]

Well, I have actually been helped by a chiropractor before, and for many spinal problems, mainstream medicine's solution is surgery, which is ungodly expensive and not even usually a permanent solution. The other is physical therapy, which is more expensive than seeing a chiropractor and generally takes several visits or days of self-directed therapy. So in that case, I'm inclined to think mainstream medicine is actually the one ripping people off.

I hear you on this one. I once had a vet offer to perform "Exploratory Surgery" on my dog when she wasn't passing something that was lodged in her stomach. I had to decline due to the invasive nature and the costs involved. Two days later she passed a tuft of thick fibers that she had swallowed and was fine...I hate to think what that could have been like had I agreed to the surgery.

Chiropractic work seems pretty legit; I've gone before in order to help kinks in my neck, and I notice immediate, obvious relief right after. According to the medical community, the jury is still out, but even doctors will see Chiropractors from time to time, and many insurance companies will cover the costs associated with the work they do.

The cost of medicine is expensive, but I hesitate at times to call it a rip-off.

My mother drives me crazy these days by trying to get me to use "home remedies" she's read about on Facebook. The latest is oil pulling. She thinks it will help me with my allergies and I'm like, what about that practice is supposed to be effective in treating allergies? It just doesn't make any sense. My mom is normally a skeptical person, so I dunno why she gets into this stuff.

Jeez, I wonder if she's friends with my sister IRL. All she does nowadays is push "Essential Oils" our way. It's gaining some traction, so I'm not surprised your mom is talking about it.

[thesummerqueen]

My father is convinced that the "paleo diet" will cure my allergies and asthma. Also, help me lose weight.

I've tried politely explaining to him that my asthma began when I was 16 and had a nasty bout with bronchitis and pneumonia. It's kept under control with an emergency inhaler, and only once during a particularly dry summer was I on a daily steroid inhaler.

I've also tried explaining that if gluten (in particular) was really bothering my allergies, they wouldn't disappear for months at a time...because I don't give up bread.

I've further explained that weight loss is much more feasible, oddly, when it's warm enough and dry enough to go on long photo walks on the weekends and get to the gym most nights. You know - burning more calories than I'm taking in.

But nope - I'm a shill for Big Ag, who also supports doctors which is why my doctor and I found out that my migraines were hormone related 99% of the time, not food-related. Doctors won't ever say anything against Big Ag. Or something.

The man falls for every organic and herbal bullshit he comes across, despite fucking having a scientific minor (he's a lawyer, first).

[KichigaiNeko]

I am thinking that this is why people fall for the whole 'Alternative Medicine' woo.

We don't understand our own bodies (through trial and error), everyone is different, and mainstream medicine isn't as advanced as we would like to think it is (in terms of the previous)

I do have what I call 'First-First Aid' it only goes so far; then it is off to the doctors.

[The Valkyrie]

I am thinking that this is why people fall for the whole 'Alternative Medicine' woo.

We don't understand our own bodies (through trial and error), everyone is different, and mainstream medicine isn't as advanced as we would like to think it is (in terms of the previous)

I do have what I call 'First-First Aid' it only goes so far; then it is off to the doctors.

I rmember when I graduated, talking to an older doctor who was getting ready to retire. He said to me (paraphrasing), "I don't envy you. Medicine is progressing so fast these days you're likely to spend as much time keeping up with it as practicing it."

[thesummerqueen]

I think a lot of it has to do with the public attitude of "treatment is easier than prevention". We blame doctors for this, but honestly, doctors can tell people till they're blue in the face to lose weight, blah blah, and people will ignore it until diabetes sets in or they have a heart attack.