As more seniors are becoming frustrated with traditional health care for one reason or another, many are turning their efforts towards nature's remedies. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) shows that more people are using alternative therapies to treat pain. As a matter of fact, 38% of American adults are using some form of holistic medicine or alternative therapy and collectively spending $34 billion on it each year. "I think people in general are more aware of the possible side effects of prescription medication and I find that people are looking to feel good as they age and do not want to be on a long list of medications," says Naturopathic Physician Dr. Laura Futterman. To understand the holistic health options available and recommended for seniors, we first must understand exactly what "holistic" means. According to The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA), holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. The organization explains that the practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. Holistic medicine encompasses all safe and appropriate modalities of diagnosis and treatment. "Holistic medicine includes a number of factors, such as dealing with the root cause of an illness, increasing patient involvement, and considering both conventional and complementary, or alternative, therapies," says Suzan Walter, President of the American Holistic Health Association. For those ready for change, let's take a closer look at some of the therapies and medicines involved with holistic health. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine practice in which small needles are set in designated places on the body without giving a patient even the slightest discomfort. It is used in western medicine as an addition to traditional therapies. Generally it is safe for seniors but it is recommended that seniors be sure to mention current medications and other health concerns upon consultation so that their acupuncturist will be able to ensure maximum safety for each patient. Basically, this method targets acupuncture points within the body. In doing so, it stimulates the blood circulation and flow of natural healing energy each body possess, thus naturally healing the body. But does acupuncture work just as well on seniors as it does on younger folks? "It can, but there is a possibility of the treatments being too stimulating, depending on the individual, including their current health status, age, bone health, and medical conditions," says Dr. Futterman. "It is important to seek a qualified practitioner who is familiar with working with seniors and who would be willing to discuss treatment plans with their physician." Mind-Body Medicine is another modality of holistic health. Guided imagery is one of the strongest modalities in Mind-Body Medicine and is gaining popularity, especially with seniors. "Related to meditation, hypnosis and visualization, imagery allows patients to influence bodily functions normally regulated by the autonomic nervous system such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure," says integrative psychotherapist Leslie Davenport. "By developing imagery skills, patients can help optimize the body's natural healing abilities." Davenport explains that The Center for Disease Control estimates that 88% of people over age 65 have at least one chronic health condition. Because of the range of conditions that imagery can assist with, she says it is a valuable health enhancing modality that most seniors could derive direct benefit from. Natural supplements are an important aspect to holistic health and have also been growing in popularity over recent years. Seniors are increasingly turning to supplements as a way to fight off diseases such as Arthritis, Alzheimer's, Diabetes and Prostate Cancer. Clinical studies have shown that St. John's Wort is helpful in treating cases of mild depression; Ginkgo appears to slow the progression of Alzheimer's in patients with the disease, and Flexcin with cetyl myristoleate (CM8) can do wonders for arthritis and joints as it can reverse the damage caused by arthritis. Acting like a WD-40-like lubricant for joints, CM8 can promote optimal joint health by helping to stimulate the lubricating fluid in the joints, support stronger cartilage and increase total mobility. Vitamin supplements are becoming more popular as a replacement to prescription pain medications because they are less expensive, there is no need to maneuver around confusing health insurance, and there is no dangerous side effects since they are manufactured with all-natural ingredients. But with all the choices of supplements on the market you need to do your research. Customer reviews give you important insight into the dependability of the supplements. Of course, not every supplement is going to work exactly the same on each patient, but if you come across pages of negative customer reviews, you may want to keep looking. On the other hand, if you see customers who are sharing their success stories online you can feel confident that you are onto something good. As with any kind of online purchase it's important to do research on the company and product to make sure it has plenty of credibility and reviews from others who've tried it with success. You wouldn't purchase a consumer electronics gadget online without reading what others has to say about it, nor should you with any kind of supplement. If you are considering holistic health care options, discuss your options with a health-care provider, and ask their advice on using holistic therapies and dietary supplements to treat your condition once it is diagnosed. The ultimate goal is for seniors to enjoy their "Golden Years", not simply "deal" with the pain associated with aging. ### Article Sources: The American Holistic Health Association is a free, impartial clearing house for self-help wellness resources. You are encouraged to explore their website at www.ahha.org Dr. Laura Futterman is a Naturopathic Physician at the Stamford Center for Natural Health. Leslie Davenport is an integrative psychotherapist and author of Healing and Transformation through Self Guided Imagery.
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