Alternative medicine?
Started by NoMatterWhat
no, to be fair you can maybe make a case that there may be an overlap when it comes to OMM but DOs practice EVIDENCE based medice and not quackery alternative med
The general term "alternative" also includes techniques in the area of Naturopathic medicine as well as Homeopathic medicine. Some of the things you learn in both of those have very little to do with the body's ability to heal itself and more to do with the use of herbal remedies, acupuncture, chinese medicine etc.
It's really a vague term and I definitely don't think of Osteopathic medicine when I hear alternative med.
It's really a vague term and I definitely don't think of Osteopathic medicine when I hear alternative med.
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If the body has the ability to heal itself (which it does), then how can that be considered alternative medicine since the body has been healing itself much much longer than any other form of medicine? In essence, all forms of medicine except innate healing would be an alternative. Just sayin 😉
Yea. Its not fair to say there is a practical overlap (there really isnt any in techniques or methods), but you could make an argument that the specific mindsets do overlap. Both believe that there is an innate ability for the body to heal itself and restoring it to a neutral state can induce enough healing to avoid *certain* invasive treatments.
As to how they accomplish that natural state of healing, we differ sharply from most-to-all of what is considered alternative medicine and are basically more hands-on versions of MDs who will at least consider manual manipulations before the drugs (But, boy, we do love our drugs)
As to how they accomplish that natural state of healing, we differ sharply from most-to-all of what is considered alternative medicine and are basically more hands-on versions of MDs who will at least consider manual manipulations before the drugs (But, boy, we do love our drugs)
Funny. I actually did some recent reading about naturopathic physicians (NDs) because a coworker was joking about entering one of these programs to become a "doctor." I can't remember which school's site this was on, but it said that naturopathic medicine is becoming "increasingly evidence-based."
Also, I'm really ashamed of WebMD, as they make NDs sound like they are superior to MDs and DOs because they have all of the "same" scientific education in addition to their study of alternative medicine, herbs, accupuncture, etc.
Also, I'm really ashamed of WebMD, as they make NDs sound like they are superior to MDs and DOs because they have all of the "same" scientific education in addition to their study of alternative medicine, herbs, accupuncture, etc.
DocE, that's why my sister said I should be a chiro because then I "couldn't become a drug pushing sellout" ...??? NICE.... When I told her DOs aren't usually considered in that manner she was less bitter about it... Ugh! Anyway, yeah, I agree that DO is 'different' in approach to MD, but that only lasts if the person does a DO residency, if they do an MD residency, then I assume most of it goes byebye
There is a high chance that I'll end up doing an MD residency if I choose to go neuro, but there is no way that I can give up these OMM skills that I continue to learn. They are so benifical, even if it is to just relax the patient. Hopefully, my future MD attendings do not jump on me too badly!
I just finished OMM for good (or, at least til step 2 PE) and my feel on this is that I will never forget or stop using certain techniques (HVLA, ME, seven stages of spencer). And the diagnostics... i'll remember most of them and use them regularly. Even though I don't see myself going into a field where it will be highly useful, its something to have on hand for pain and stiffness treatments and its easy upkeep to be proficient at these techniques. On the other hand, its's been 48 hours since my final practical exam and I've already forgotten how balanced ligamentous tension and counterstrain works and won't ever again analyze a pubic bone for shears.
you know... unless you're into that sort of thing. 😉
although you don't think this, the vast majority of ppl i encounter don't know what osteopathic medicine is, and instantly either think i want to be an orthopoedic surgeon or a chiropractor.
a few others think I want to be a homeopath.
That being said, DO practice evidence based or SCIENCE based (western) medicine, and it is important that people get that distinction.
OMM isn't highly researched, however it should be, and there are a few people who are really into researching its effects and so far, so good.
I think a lot of people just don't know what DO's are.
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I also don't think it's fair to define alternative by saying one field is more evidence based than another. I definitely agree the philosophies can overlap. I actually know more docs that practice homeopathy/naturopathic med than I do Osteopathic docs.
If you remove acupuncture, Naturopaths really just emphasize a lot of nutrition, natural remedies and, as stated above, allowing the body to heal itself (run its course) rather than supressing symptoms.
Homeopathy gets a little crazy for me. I have friends that swear by it. Never tried it myself. A homeopathic doc once mentioned during a talk this technique where you expose water to moonlight (I'm not joking) for some set amount of time and then serially dilute as you would with the chemical formulations and use that to treat god knows what. HE even thought it was crazy so I don't think it's a technique taken seriously but was funny to hear how far some take it.
I have yet to see the full extent of the MD vs. DO superiority complex (from either side) that people speak of. IMO there is MUCH more anemosity from the naturopathic/holistic community towards allopathic physicians (and possibly Osteopathic physicians as well).
If you remove acupuncture, Naturopaths really just emphasize a lot of nutrition, natural remedies and, as stated above, allowing the body to heal itself (run its course) rather than supressing symptoms.
Homeopathy gets a little crazy for me. I have friends that swear by it. Never tried it myself. A homeopathic doc once mentioned during a talk this technique where you expose water to moonlight (I'm not joking) for some set amount of time and then serially dilute as you would with the chemical formulations and use that to treat god knows what. HE even thought it was crazy so I don't think it's a technique taken seriously but was funny to hear how far some take it.
I have yet to see the full extent of the MD vs. DO superiority complex (from either side) that people speak of. IMO there is MUCH more anemosity from the naturopathic/holistic community towards allopathic physicians (and possibly Osteopathic physicians as well).
i guess you could say the philosophies overlap. I mean, everyone wants to make the sick healthy. However, the alternative therapies have an inherent quack factor to them than drugs that have undergone a double blind placebo controlled study, drug trials etc etc...plus allo and osteo dr. dont always use drugs as a first line therapy. obviously theres lifestyle changes that can be implemented if possible to control some of the chronic diseases we see today
homeopathy's philosophy of dilution making a medicine stronger doesn't just fly against the face of evidence based medicine (and I agree that some therapies simply don't have enough evidence to support their efficacy even though they may actually BE effective) but it flies in the face of basic physics and fundamental laws of thermodynamics.
Homeopathy, when practiced with the principle I described above, is at best in-efficacious, and at worst potentially harmful to the patient.
Honestly have not even looked into scientific literature on efficacy/safety of homeopathy. Research has been done but very little and I'm just not interested enough in it. I think the whole "like cures like" philosophy was really shoved down our throats when I worked with holistic health departments and, unfortunately, I was treated pretty badly when I questioned it.
I mean the dilutions can reach a level where the "therapeutic" component is essentially undetectable.
there is a homeopathic flu/cold remedy being sold at walgreens/cvs where this is the actual case and sadly a mainstream store is selling something which is completely useless oscillococcinum diluted until there is nothing left. 😱
Yeah oscillococcinum is pretty cringe-inducing, and it's everywhere... Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc. Of course, so are those "Airborne!" things that advertise how great they must be since they were "invented by a schoolteacher!" Right.
Oscillococcinum is that much crazier, given that it's made from serial dilutions of--and I'm not making this up--the heart and liver of a duck. Read here for more if you like: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=9064
Well, no matter our differences it's always nice to sit down and enjoy a homeopathic beer or two together at the end of the day. But not too many, don't want to be hungover at work tomorrow.
Lol.
Well, no matter our differences it's always nice to sit down and enjoy a homeopathic beer or two together at the end of the day. But not too many, don't want to be hungover at work tomorrow.
Hilarious!
Although, if this is a homeopathic beer then theoretically this is a cure for a hangover...or being drunk! Edit: on second thought :|, a homeopath would choose a chemical compound that causes the symptom he/she is trying to treat...so, if you're choosing a serial dilution of beer then obviously you're trying to treat....impaired judgement and belligerent behavior???? Or was I correct the first time?...oh, forget it!
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Actually the article linked to is written its a licensed and practicing infectious disease MD specialist in Portland, but thank you for playing.
I didnt check the editor.. so... you may very well still be right, but the article itself was written by someone who seems, at first glance at least, to be well qualified.
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I am going to concur that homeopathy is the most outrageous theory of treating diseases available. Though, for some conditions the placebo effect without chemically induced side effects may be useful.
Actually the article linked to is written its a licensed and practicing infectious disease MD specialist in Portland, but thank you for playing.
I didnt check the editor.. so... you may very well still be right, but the article itself was written by someone who seems, at first glance at least, to be well qualified.
DocE, it's an internet bot. Unless you're just kidding! 😀
...i... umm....may have been duped into responding to a posting bot.
Lol. It's alright. Last week I congratulated one of them on getting accepted into medical school 🙁.
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