Whether herbal medicine, acupuncture or Kneipp: alternative medicine can complement conventional medicine. We present different therapies
Hardly any patient wants to miss the achievements of conventional medicine. But especially in the case of minor illnesses or chronic illnesses, many people trust - often additionally - on alternative methods. These can complement, sometimes even replace, traditional medicine, provided there is nothing to prevent this from a medical point of view.
Alternative medicine - often a supplement
Alternative medicine is also called complementary medicine (complementary = Latin for supplement). This term is more appropriate because in many cases the procedures are not a pure alternative, but are a useful addition to conventional medicine or can be integrated into classic therapies. In this case, one can also speak of integrative medicine.
Germany is one of the countries in which complementary medicine has a long tradition and is used very frequently. In addition to conventional medicine, around 60 percent of the population use complementary medicine methods, says Claudia Witt, doctor and professor of complementary medicine at the University of Zurich. The expert says: "A sensible treatment requires good conventional medical diagnostics. Conventional medicine and complementary medicine can be combined for the treatment, provided their effectiveness is proven."
An example from herbal medicine: The effectiveness of mild to moderate depression has been demonstrated for St. John's wort . An example of acupuncture : The therapeutic successes in chronic pain such as knee joint arthrosis, back pain and headache have already been confirmed in studies, sometimes with better results than with traditional treatment. As initial studies show, yoga can also provide significant relief for back pain.
Proof of the effectiveness of alternative therapies
Studies are necessary to assess the benefits and safety of a therapy method. The effectiveness of many alternative therapies has not yet been sufficiently researched - which does not necessarily mean that they are not effective. There are different types of studies to demonstrate their benefits and safe use.
For example, comparative studies - for example between Chinese medicine and conventional medicine - allow a comparison of the effectiveness of both therapies. For this, patients with the same complaints (such as knee joint arthrosis or back pain) divided into two groups. One group is treated with methods of Chinese medicine, the other, the control group, is treated with conventional medicine. However, it cannot be completely ruled out that patients with certain characteristics appear more frequently in one of the two groups. For example, patients in the Chinese medicine group may have generally better health behaviors. That would affect the outcome of the therapy. This effect is avoided if the patients are randomly divided into groups. These studies are called randomized. The safest way to establish a causal connection between the therapy and the treatment result.
The right address: doctor or naturopath?
How do I find the right therapist for alternative healing methods? A basic distinction is made between the two professions - doctor and naturopath - who use complementary therapies. Doctors studied medicine and demonstrated their knowledge in a variety of exams and state exams. Alternative practitioners may call themselves those who have passed a corresponding exam, which among other things examines the basics of conventional medicine such as anatomy and infection science. "In the case of alternative practitioners, however, it is not so precisely regulated how extensive the training in therapy must be so that the alternative practitioner can practice this therapy," says Witt.
The provisions for doctors are more specific: the medical associations offer further training for the three most widespread areas of natural medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy . Only doctors who have undergone further training for around 200 hours and have specialist training may use the additional designations.
Claudia Witt warns of promises of salvation: "Providers who nevertheless promise a cure to patients with serious diseases that are not curable by conventional medicine, I consider to be dubious." Despite all the understandable despair of those affected: Rather look for a doctor or alternative practitioner who will honestly inform you about the advantages and disadvantages of the respective therapy. Basically the following applies: Consultation with a doctor is also advisable for complementary medical methods. Because herbal medicines or traditional applications can also have side effects or interact with other medicines, for example.
The most common methods of alternative medicine
Classic naturopathic treatments follow a holistic approach. The treatment can be versatile and includes, in addition to herbal medicine, elements of nutritional therapy, exercise therapy, hydrotherapy (use of cold and warm water, for example according to Kneipp ) and order therapy .
Acupuncture is a treatment method that was developed in China more than 2000 years ago. It is an integral part of the so-called "Chinese medicine", in addition to acupuncture, moxibustion (warming up special points), nutritional therapy, massage (Tuina), therapeutic gymnastics (Tai-Chi and Qigong) and the use of medicinal herbs, belong to animal and mineral origin.
In classic homeopathy, the practitioner has the patient's medical history explained, he analyzes the symptoms and usually gives a homeopathic medicine.
