Today, during lunch, we had an interesting debate. As we work in a conventional medical environment, the majority of us believe in healing the allopathic way.
A question was posed regarding reflexology and its benefits. One of our providers having had the most experience with this method, waxed poetic about all the magical powers of reflexology. She was well versed in her knowledge. Unfortunately, most of the room contained prescribers and followers of allopathic medicine.
We each expressed our beliefs with the holistic approach. My turn came around and I stated that if one was going to try the holistic approach, an open mind would be the key to that magical gateway.
As for myself, I stated that if a holistic healer was to attempt to tell me to focus on a beautiful thought in order to overcome an acute pain related issue, I would have to opt for an extra dose of martinis. Perhaps several extra doses. You see, holistic healers do not prescribe medicine.
Mind over matter; when it works it is amazing. Pass the shaker kids. I will toast my chiropractor with the next round. Yes, my chiropractor was acutely aware that I was a non-believer during my first visit. I have now been seeing her for well over two years.
How about you? Allopathic or holistic? I will remain open minded as long as my glass if full.
Let me hear it.
16 comments:
I, for one, think a nice combination of the two can work wonders. For some things, I believe hollistic can work, for others, give me a strong dose of medicine. And if all else fails? I like my martinis chocolate! ;-)
Here I am again.
I'm a yoga teacher, so obviously I believe there are a lot of things that can be helped without medicine. On the other hand, I was also a pharmaceutical rep (once upon another lifetime) and there are things you just can't substitute for some medications. ;)
I also walk a fine line between the two. I realize that there are some things only medicine can take care of, but most of the time I'm a mind over matter kind of girl.
Depends on what ails me. If it's viral, allopathic. If it's something like insomnia, holistic. I haven't tried a chiropractor, but I am thinking about yoga. Seems a far better solution to aching muscles and lower back than constantly popping Advil.
My Gyn and I tried a holistic approach when I first started going to her. This involved doses of vitamins and Advil to alleviate some of my menstrual symptoms. I like that she tried that approach first rather than just immediately jumping into a prescription. It worked for quite a while, but now she's got me on Seasonique. (Which, may I just say, is a godsend! What a difference!)
On the flip side, my internist writes prescriptions like they're candy. It's actually kind of disturbing. She once wrote me a script for cough medicine with codeine and wrote nine... NINE!... refills on the form. All I can figure is, she must think I'm a dealer and I make my own crack. I think I'm looking for a new internist.
P.S. I was raised in a family where the solution to most of what-ailed-you was fixed by taking a hot shower and putting on clean jammies. Works like a charm 95% of the time!
Karina: I agree with the combo. Chocolate martinis always available, you just let me know. I won't even charge a co-pay!!
Cruzin: Welcome back!
Yogagrrl: I appreciate the perspective. Pharmaceutical Rep? I have mixed emotions about them, as long as they are not too agressive. What made you change career paths?
RY: I envy the mind over matter crowd, I am a work in progress. Good to see you!
Tewskesy: I was raised the same way, it worked for a while. Unfortunately, managed care sways the way Physicians in general conduct business. It is definitely easier to write an RX instead of sitting and listening. It's all about the Cha-Ching!
I liked the "sales" part of what I did (Here's why my drug is good/better) but the job became less about sales and more about Who Can Buy the Best Lunch. I also got COMPLETELY freaked by the number of doctors who hadn't changed their prescribing habits since med school to keep up with new medicines or (on the flip side) would prescribe your drug because they thought you had a hot ass.
Oddly, most physicians said that they prescribed (or offered to prescribe) because if they didn't, their patients didn't feel like they'd done their job.
I don't see it as either/or, I don't see why both methods can't be employed. It's whatever is best for the patient.
I swear by my naturopathic doctor, and haven't been to an allopathic dr in many, many years!
I used to be a "complementary" (not "alternative", I never liked that label) therapist for years in England, and have seen all kinds of things the regular doctors couldn't explain.. ;-)
I have to go with the majority here and say both have their proper times and uses. Sometimes together... I'll pass on the martinis though. ;)
Friar Don
You know my background, I'm for a combo treatment method. I'm always up for martinis.....don't mix the martinis with the prescription meds:)
Combo? Would you like to Super Size that?
Sometimes I only crack myself up.....
my dilemma is more like blenderopathic or shakeropathic...
love your blog. personally, i am a fan of both, but you are right about the open mind being the key! if you believe it will work, it probably will. except in the case of childbirth..
When constipated, mix your coffee with espresso, two to one before brewing. Works like a charm. Is that allopathic or homeopathic or common sense?
I also think the combo is best. And the open mind actually helps in both cases. I have also been known to open my mind over several martinis
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