by T. GISKI

Created on: March 12, 2009

While I do not think it is appropriate to use ONLY holistic methods, I do believe that that benefits of homeopathic remedies and holistic approaches (including diet and exercise) are grossly under-valued in today's culture. It is very true that some patients benefit greatly from certain medications, and provide them greater quality and quantity of life. However, many diseases can also be treated by a patient's change in lifestyle or habits, or a combination of holistic and pharmaceutical means.

The fact is, that medicine is a business, and just like any other big business, they have a huge influence over what the media and what doctors and medical staff will let on to. Nowadays, it is common to be prescribed a miracle "pill" to take care of everything from seasonal allergies to bladder issues, with stops at depression, anxiety, and everything in between. Many medications just treat the symptoms of the problem, too, and never really cure the root of the problem.

The public can be just as much to "blame" as the doctors. Perhaps doctors only choose to treat the symptoms a client is encountering with medication because we're so averse to changing our own lifestyles. We all know that exercise and good nutrition are the basis for health, and yet many of us still stop at the fast food restaurant and take the elevator instead of the stairs. Maybe that's the same reason most patients also opt to "pop" a magic pill to take care of their ailments; Because they are convenient, because they are available, and because they are easy. Although many ailments could be treated with natural remedies, homeopathic remedies, or plain-old diet and exercise prescriptions, the easiest and most accepted approach in our society today is to write a prescription.

Perhaps, one of the biggest reasons for doctors to prescribe pharmaceuticals versus natural treatment is the marketing of the meds themselves. Pharmaceutical companies pay big money to advertise in magazines and place commercials on television. They also hire representatives to visit doctors offices and hospitals to hand out samples and promote the drugs. Most people have seen the ads on television, asking you to ask your doctor for a certain pill if you meet certain listed criteria. And, unbelievably, doctors can get a "kick back" or commission of sorts for actually prescribing you that medication. In most cases, the physician will not hesitate to prescribe something for your ailments if they meet the drug's criteria. He or she probably actually believes it is in the patient's best interest to treat their symptoms, and because they will receive some money for the use of the drug makes it even that much more appealing.

While it is true that holistic medicine is available, it is not generally the approach that most doctors prescribe for their patients. Perhaps it is because it is easier to seemingly "cure" or cover up the symptoms a patient is displaying than it is to really evaluate the true cause of the problem. Why? Because they invoke an almost immediate response, and, because they are the easiest way for a patient to see a marked or measurable improvement. While I do not believe that ALL doctors feel that prescribing pharmaceuticals is the ONLY option, it is a practice that many physicians use as their FIRST option. A sort of "Let's see how this works for you" type of thing.

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