I’ve looked it up on the web and keep getting listings for chiropractors (I already have one), acupuncturiests, herbalists, and GNC stores. I really need a General MD or Family Practitioner who works more w/alternative treatments than drugs.
The reason I’m looking is because I keep having violent side effects to the drugs my current docs keep shoving at me. I’m looking for someone willing to work w/me on finding different ways (other drugs, natural remedies, massage therapy, etc.) to replace these horrors that keep getting shoved down my throat.
I really need a doctor that uses both traditional and alternatives rather than one or the other. I have nothing against drugs only the docs who force me to take stuff that makes me sicker and refuse to let me try other things.
How do I find a General/Family MD who works w/alternative medical treatments?
On March - 31 - 2010
That’s actually one of the hardest things to find. Some say because those doctors that believe in natural options would be laughed at or get in trouble from the AMA, some say it’s so they don’t get tons and tons of people trying to see them (too many to fill appointments)… who knows why for sure, but it is.
What I’ve found is the easiest way to find them is to ask at other natural health places (Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, Herbalists, vitamin stores, etc) to see if they know of any doctors that know about natural options. Most commonly, any doctors that know about natural options would have clients who go to other natural health places and some of them are bound to mention said doctor.
Granted, there may not be one in your area, but that’s the best way to find one short of calling every doctor’s office in town and asking if they know about (some random herb). Good luck!
the body responds to chemicals, not being jabbed with needles, or “massaged” along the spinal cord (herbs are just a more indirect means of getting chemicals into the body but they aren’t as strictly regulated, quality wise as FDA approved treatments, and typically you are required to take more of the herb to get the same dosage as the typical “drug” you would be prescribed). the reason why normal doctors prescribe drugs is because they are scientifically proven to do what they are claimed to do, if the taker expearences side effects, the doctor will attempt to find another drug to replace it more often than not.
frankly if i were you id rather not waste my time with “alternative medicine” healers because they simply skirt the FDA regulations(if they could prove their treatment does what they claim it to do it would no longer be “alternative medicine” but just “medicine”). also there are numerous cases of people being harmed by alternative medicine:
http://whatstheharm.net/alternativemedicine.html
Intergrative Medicine Doctors do tend toward the DO side so I understand your issue… I would recommend trying ACAM as a starting point.
http://www.acamnet.org/site/c.ltJWJ4MPIwE/b.2242497/k.2C78/Integrative_Medicine_Physicians/apps/kb/cs/contactsearch.asp
You need to go to HMO websites – check all the major ones like Kaiser, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna – etc.
You can look up by Doctor and specialty.
Good luck.