Alternative Medicine

What is alternative medicine? 

The phrase "alternative medicine" is commonly used, but what does this suggest or imply to the everyday person looking for better health? And just why is it the alternative?

Naturopathy is just one of many modalities that fall into this category, and even this can be an umbrella term for many more specialised fields of medicine. For example, nutrition (or food as medicine) is the cornerstone of a healthy body, but is so often overlooked, and in fact is quite often ignored when looking for causes of disease. Nutrition should be incorporated into all aspects of treatment and can be the first step in the prevention of chronic disease. Nutrition is fundamental to good health and by taking the time to consider and improve your current diet your food becomes your medicine.

The more clients I see the more convinced I am that what I really practise is preventative medicine. Every one of you who has sat in my big, brown chair has received preventative treatment and advice from me. My aim is to have you feeling healthier than you have in a long time, relieve the symptoms you came to see me for and begin the process of preventative medicine; doing the best I can to delay and prevent the onset of chronic disease through advice about the food you eat and helping you to gain a better understanding of how your body functions when it is healthy.

The longer we live the more poignant and relevant the phrase ‘at least I have my health’ becomes. As a nation we work very hard so we can pay the mortgage, put food on the table and educate our children. During this process our health may become a secondary priority, and the idea of being too tired to play with your kids, or keep in touch with your social network would suggest the work – life balance is not balanced at all.

Now is the time to improve and maintain your health with preventative medicine.

We all want to retire some day – imagine being too sick to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Taking care of your health is not an alternative – it is the only option if you want to maximize your chances of enjoying wellbeing and longevity today, and in the future.

Naturopath Adelaide.
Felicity Marsland is a University qualified naturopath in adelaide and founder of Adelaide Natural Health. She specialises in herbal medicine, nutrition and detox diets.

1 Dec 2010

Last Update: 22 Apr 2011

Adelaide Natural Health Profile | Email | Website Naturopathy clinic for digestive problems. Bad digestion, bloating or wind can cause discomfort and lead to further complications. We specialise in digestion and irritable bowel syndrome. 132 O'Connell Street North Adelaide SA Australia 5006 08 8263 9218