Did you know that American's spend nearly $33 billion on alternative health care every year? This represents about 11% of the total "out of pocket" health care costs incurred in the United States.
People continue to wake up to the fact that traditional health care, though very beneficial in emergency situations and in treating disease once health fails, continues to fall short in promoting and improving health and preventing disease through wellness care.
Alternative medicine fills this gap quite admirably, and people are willing to pay for it.
Most private pay insurances have little or no coverage for alternative medical care. Even company-provided health care plans allow for only limited exposure to alternative care providers.
The good news is that the cost of alternative health care, in general, is much less expensive than traditional health care. Chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, etc are very cost effective alternatives. Such physicians teach concepts of structural health, energy health, emotional stability, exercise, and the value of making good nutritional choices.
Preventing disease should not be aimed at the eradication of a particular bacterial or viral strain. Instead, resources should be spent on improving the overall health of the population through making good health-promoting choices.
Find a chiropractor or naturopath that you trust and like. He/She will be able to assist you with much of your healthy choices. Even though you may be required to cover the cost on your own (thanks to your crisis-minded insurance plan), the benefits to your health are well worth it, and staying healthy will save you tons of money in the long run.
Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
www.therapeuticfoods.blogspot.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Showing posts with label alternative medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alternative medicine. Show all posts
Monday, October 4, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Just Say No...
Just Say No was an advertising campaign prevalent through the 1980's and 1990's that was part of the War on Drugs. The purpose was to try and teach young people the dangers of recreational drugs.
It is now our turn "take our own medicine", as it were.
The abuse of prescription pain medication has been skyrocketing in this country. According to an article at MSN, "Substance abuse treatment admissions for non-medical use of prescription pain relievers have increased more than 400 percent over 10 years, according to a new study."
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administrator Pamela S. Hyde, "The non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is now the second most prevalent form of illicit drug use in the nation, and its tragic consequences are seen in substance abuse treatment centers and hospital emergency departments throughout our nation."
A few suggestions:
1) Consider alternative treatments for pain relief BEFORE you develop a dependency on medication. Consider chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, for example.
2) If you think that you might be addicted to pain killers, confront the issue, and talk to your MD about alternatives.
3) If you are taking pain medications for pain, and you are not sure if you are addicted or not, have an open discussion with your doctor.
4) Don't keep pain medications around the house and accessible to your friends, spouse, significant other, or children. Don't share your drugs with others.
SAY NO TO DRUGS. Stop the insanity. Our society is addicted to the idea that there is a drug for everything, and it is time to stop thinking that health is found in a bottle of pills. Ask questions about every medication that you are prescribed. Here are a few that you might consider:
1) What are the desired affects of the drug you are giving to me?
2) What are the negative affects of the medication? Could you give me a printed list of all side affects?
3) What are the ramifications if I choose not to take the medication?
4) What are the ramifications, positive and negative, if I choose to take the medication?
5) How long do you expect me to have to take the medication? Is it short term or long term?
6) If long term, what are the long term study outcomes of people who take the medication?
7) Are there any natural therapy alternatives to the medication?
Whenever possible, say no to drugs.
Keith Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ 85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
It is now our turn "take our own medicine", as it were.
The abuse of prescription pain medication has been skyrocketing in this country. According to an article at MSN, "Substance abuse treatment admissions for non-medical use of prescription pain relievers have increased more than 400 percent over 10 years, according to a new study."
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administrator Pamela S. Hyde, "The non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is now the second most prevalent form of illicit drug use in the nation, and its tragic consequences are seen in substance abuse treatment centers and hospital emergency departments throughout our nation."
A few suggestions:
1) Consider alternative treatments for pain relief BEFORE you develop a dependency on medication. Consider chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, for example.
2) If you think that you might be addicted to pain killers, confront the issue, and talk to your MD about alternatives.
3) If you are taking pain medications for pain, and you are not sure if you are addicted or not, have an open discussion with your doctor.
4) Don't keep pain medications around the house and accessible to your friends, spouse, significant other, or children. Don't share your drugs with others.
SAY NO TO DRUGS. Stop the insanity. Our society is addicted to the idea that there is a drug for everything, and it is time to stop thinking that health is found in a bottle of pills. Ask questions about every medication that you are prescribed. Here are a few that you might consider:
1) What are the desired affects of the drug you are giving to me?
2) What are the negative affects of the medication? Could you give me a printed list of all side affects?
3) What are the ramifications if I choose not to take the medication?
4) What are the ramifications, positive and negative, if I choose to take the medication?
5) How long do you expect me to have to take the medication? Is it short term or long term?
6) If long term, what are the long term study outcomes of people who take the medication?
7) Are there any natural therapy alternatives to the medication?
Whenever possible, say no to drugs.
Keith Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ 85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Study Shows Chiropractic Helps with Back Pain
In a recent study that was published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, it was found that the majority of people who seek care for back pain through alternative practitioners, such as chiropractors, were able to experience significant benefits. Chiropractic care was clearly the most widely used alternative treatment used for back pain. 74% of the subjects in the study used chiropractic. According to my online source, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/193712.php, "Overall, 60 percent of those surveyed who had at least one CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapy in the last 12 months found remarkable relief using the top six CAM modalities; chiropractic care, massage, yoga/tai chi/qi Cong, acupuncture, herbal therapies, and relaxation techniques - with chiropractic care the most popular choice."
Clearly, patients that suffer from back pain find significant help through the use of CAM. This is very important, since back pain is the second most common reason for doctor office visits in the United States.
The sad truth regarding this study, however, is that while even though Chiropractic and other CAM methods were clearly helpful in the treatment of back pain, only 24% of the subjects in the study reported that their medical doctor had recommended that they see a chiropractor or CAM practitioner. Most subjects in the study went to visit a chiropractor simply because they felt that conventional medicine would not be helpful in dealing with their back pain.
According to Dr. Gerard Clum, D.C., Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, "Back pain sufferers should be made aware of all treatment options, especially alternatives that have been scientifically proven to provide relief. While chiropractic care has in the past been considered alternative there is now a case to be made for making it the first choice for patients and in the process making interventions like injections and surgery the alternative approach."
Sources:
Medical News Today
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
Keith E. Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ 85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office: 480-985-3334
Cell: 480-375-0068
Clearly, patients that suffer from back pain find significant help through the use of CAM. This is very important, since back pain is the second most common reason for doctor office visits in the United States.
The sad truth regarding this study, however, is that while even though Chiropractic and other CAM methods were clearly helpful in the treatment of back pain, only 24% of the subjects in the study reported that their medical doctor had recommended that they see a chiropractor or CAM practitioner. Most subjects in the study went to visit a chiropractor simply because they felt that conventional medicine would not be helpful in dealing with their back pain.
According to Dr. Gerard Clum, D.C., Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, "Back pain sufferers should be made aware of all treatment options, especially alternatives that have been scientifically proven to provide relief. While chiropractic care has in the past been considered alternative there is now a case to be made for making it the first choice for patients and in the process making interventions like injections and surgery the alternative approach."
Sources:
Medical News Today
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
Keith E. Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ 85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office: 480-985-3334
Cell: 480-375-0068
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
One out of Three Seek Alternative Medicine
Biggs Chiropractic and Acupuncture
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Patients that suffer from chronic pain have few medical alternatives. As a chiropractor, I can tell you that they get tired of taking medications that only cover the pain, make them feel sick, and cause stomach and liver diseases, and in some cases, death.
I see them in my office every day. They are looking for ways to control their pain without the empty promises of medication. A study at the University of Michigan showed that 1/3 of patients that suffer from chronic pain report using alternative medicine. The most common of which were Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Bio Feedback.
Medical physicians are waking up to the fact that patients are looking for alternatives. Yet an interesting thing about the study, however, is that many of the patients do not report to their medical doctors that they are seeing alternative medicine practitioners. Could it be that they are worried about being chastised, humiliated, or even ostracised? I have had patients in my office whose medical doctors have refused to see them because they were getting treatment from me. I have had other medical doctors tell my patients that they should discontinue care with me because I could kill or hurt them. What a shame. Hopefully, as more studies like this become public, medical doctors will open their minds and will continue to shift their perceptions. Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and bio feedback are safe and affective treatments for pain, much more safe than many of the drug and surgical alternatives.
Keith E. Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ 85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office: 480-985-3334
Cell: 480-375-0068
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Patients that suffer from chronic pain have few medical alternatives. As a chiropractor, I can tell you that they get tired of taking medications that only cover the pain, make them feel sick, and cause stomach and liver diseases, and in some cases, death.
I see them in my office every day. They are looking for ways to control their pain without the empty promises of medication. A study at the University of Michigan showed that 1/3 of patients that suffer from chronic pain report using alternative medicine. The most common of which were Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Bio Feedback.
Medical physicians are waking up to the fact that patients are looking for alternatives. Yet an interesting thing about the study, however, is that many of the patients do not report to their medical doctors that they are seeing alternative medicine practitioners. Could it be that they are worried about being chastised, humiliated, or even ostracised? I have had patients in my office whose medical doctors have refused to see them because they were getting treatment from me. I have had other medical doctors tell my patients that they should discontinue care with me because I could kill or hurt them. What a shame. Hopefully, as more studies like this become public, medical doctors will open their minds and will continue to shift their perceptions. Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and bio feedback are safe and affective treatments for pain, much more safe than many of the drug and surgical alternatives.
Keith E. Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ 85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office: 480-985-3334
Cell: 480-375-0068
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