Chapter 1

PREFACE

In 1996 and 1997, more than 180 million people suffered from some form of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, or other chronic disease. Total conven- tional healthcare costs for these health problems neared $550 billion. In spite of the money being spent, few cures for chronic diseases are being found.

It is not surprising, then, to learn that people are searching outside conventional medi- cine for help. Almost 90 million Americans visit an alternative medicine practitioner each year. The latest industry statistics indicate that people are spending about $14 billion out of pocket on alternative health care.

Other changes in health care in the U.S. are afoot. Managed care is controlling how often people can visit conventional health care practitioners and specialists and how long those specialists can spend with patients. With time spent with a doctor down to

15 minutes or less, more and more people are becoming dissatisfied with the care that conventional medicine is providing. Today’s healthcare consumers are becoming savvy participants in the healthcare process and are seeking to be empowered in their interac- tions with healthcare practitioners.

What is empowerment in health care? It is learning all you can about the various options for health care that exist—whether in health promotion, disease prevention, or disease treatment—and choosing those treatments and programs you believe are most likely to meet your needs. In the new models of health care that are functioning in the US today, healthcare practitioners—from all systems, both conventional and alterna- tive—are more and more becoming your partners, consultants, and teachers. In order to make this partnership work for you, you need an understanding of health, illness, and your different options. This book is designed to help you begin to acquire the knowledge and understanding you need to take charge of your health.

This book is designed to introduce you to some of the significant systems and treat- ments of alternative medicine. It also introduces you to the work of some of the field’s important contributors, writers, and practitioners. Written for consumers, this book isn’t meant to be an ultimate authority on theories, treatments, diseases, and research. Instead, it focuses on introducing the key concepts of each system of alternative medi- cine in the hope of inspiring you to explore further in areas that interest you.

In the summer of 1996, when work on this book began, it seemed as if alternative medicine was becoming more controversial. Spokespeople from conventional medi- cine, from the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine to members of the Na-

Preface

tional Council Against Health Fraud were declaring alternative medicine as dangerous and outside the bounds of medicine altogether. They were making these comments in spite of progress the Office of Alternative Medicine has made in establishing well- grounded research programs, in spite of some exciting recent progress in understand- ing the effectiveness of certain alternative treatments, and in spite of research that shows Americans are using alternative treatments in ever-increasing numbers. But by the late Fall of 1996, insurance companies were beginning to cover some alternative treatments and integrative medicine clinics—health centers that combine the best of conventional and alternative medicine—were springing up across the country. Change in the alternative medicine field is coming quickly, and consumers need to empower themselves so they can take charge of their health care.

What will you encounter in this book? Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the general area of alternative medicine, outline its basic guiding philosophies, and try to unravel the controversy that appears to surround alternative medicine in conventional medical circles. In addition, Chapter 1 includes a special section that suggests some key things to think about and questions to ask when choosing and evaluating an alternative healthcare practitioner. Then, Chapters 3 through 8 introduce specific systems of al- ternative medicine: traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture,  Ayurveda (the tra- ditional medical system of India), homeopathy, naturopathy, mind-body medicine, and touch therapies. Each chapter presents a brief overview of the field’s theory of medicine,  discusses diagnosis, gives a brief overview of the field’s treatment methods, and briefly describes some of the research that has been done. The chapters also discuss some key things to think about: what illnesses or problems the system seems to work best for; professional and training issues; how you might evaluate results; and cost and insurance issues.

In addition to meeting some new ideas in this book, you will meet some extraordinary people. Each chapter includes a substantial interview with at least one practitioner of conventional or alternative medicine. In the interviews, these doctors and practitioners share with you their expertise, their personal experiences in the field, and their thoughts about the future of health care in the United States. We spoke with

•         Dr. Suetta Tenney, M.D., internal medicine practitioner

•         Dr. Matthew Budd, M.D., President, H.S.C. Associates, Inc., developer of the

Personal Health Improvement Program

•         Claire Cassidy, Ph.D., medical anthropologist

•         Robert Duggan, M.A., M.Ac, President, The Traditional Acupuncture Insti- tute

•         Barbara Mitchell, J.D., LAc, Secretary, National Acupuncture Foundation

•         Dr. Abbas Qutab, M.D., D.C., Ph.D., D.Sc., President, New England Insti- tute of Ayurvedic Medicine

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Mosby’s Tour Guide to Alternative Medicine

•         Dr. Paul Herscu, N.D., Principle Instructor, New England School of Home- opathy

•         Dr. H. Ron Hobbs, N.D., Associate Director  of Admissions, School of Naturo- pathic Medicine, Bastyr University

•         Virginia Anthony, B.A., L.M.T., C.N.C., Immediate National Past President of the American Massage Therapy Association

IMPORTANT NOTE

Mosby’s Tour Guide to Alternative Medicine is not a substitute for working with your healthcare provider. We encourage you to consult with your healthcare professional before undertaking any new treatment or therapy.

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Next Chapter: index