"The primary cause of disease is in us, always in us."—Antoine Beauchamp, 1883
Sources:
The Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, by C. Norman Shealy, M.D. Ph.D.; New Choices in Natural Healing, edited by Bill Gottlieb; the Encyclopedia of Alternative Health Care, by Kristin Gottschalk Olsen; The Best of Alternative Medicine, by Rick Chillot and Susan Smith, Prevention. Magazine, Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide, compiled by the Burton Goldberg Group, and from New Age Journal, A Glossary of Therapies.
 A new century has dawned, and one of the main areas to be affected will surely be medicine. Certainly the embracing of various healing systems has changed the course of alternative healing--so much so that "alternative" isn't really an accurate term any longer. And while some well-established modalities--Oriental medicine, homeopathy, herbal medicine--form the cornerstone, other new systems are being "discovered" or resurrected from ancient wisdom once forgotten, now remembered.
This guide to alternative medicine offers brief descriptions of what are referred to as "complete" or "whole" systems of healing. You will find both the old and new listed and some of the conditions they treat. When seeking treatment from a natural health practitioner, remember that most of these therapies cannot handle such emergencies as heart attacks, deep cuts and broken bones. When approaching a practitioner, check the person's license and education and be wary of anyone who guarantees results. If you're combining treatments, make sure the natural health practitioner will work with other health care providers and is willing to discuss a treatment plan. Finally, trust yourself. If you have doubts, keep searching.
Before selecting a practitioner talk to your friends and health care specialists about what works for them. Find out about training and credentials, and don't hesitate to ask for referrals. Remember, confidence in your practitioner always influences success in the search for better health.
Toolbox of Alternative Healing
In addition to whole "systems" of healing, the range of other modalities available to consumers increases each year. We include these healing techniques in our toolbox because they are often, but not always, used in conjunction with the primary systems of alternative care. Some of these techniques are ancient, others have evolved from traditional therapies, and a few are new entries which may or may not stand the test of time. Alternative therapies may not help you with your particular problem. Then again, they could offer dramatic improvements at a minimal cost compared to conventional medicine.
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