Alternative and Complementary Medicine Checklist

If you are using or are contemplating use of complementary medicine please consider the following:

Whole Medical Systems (e.g. homeopathy, naturopathic medicine)

  1. Check with your doctor to determine if there are any potential issues with a homeopathic medicine you may be taking.
  2. Many whole medical systems do not recommend common immunizations. Consider the potential effects this may have on your health and discuss with your medical doctor.
  3. If you are taking a homeopathic medicine, make certain you have discussed this with someone who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Be wary of any homeopathic medicine you may buy commercially without a consultation.
Mind Body Medicine (e.g. meditation, prayer, art, music, cognitive therapy)

  1. Recognize mind body medicine is not a cure for a chronic health issue you may experience. If you have a chronic condition, mind body medicine should be viewed as a complementary medicine to the care you are receiving from your medical doctor.
  2. Recognize that in recent years many commercial interests have been promoting mind body medicine. Understand the strengths or limitations of these products. Consult the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s index and read what research findings say about the mind body medicine you are considering.
Biologically Based Practices (e.g. herbs, dietary supplements)

  1. Recognize that by consuming herbs or dietary supplements you are placing chemicals in your body that may interact with prescription medications you may be taking. Consult the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s index for known interactions or side effects.
  2. Biologically based practices may have adverse effects on certain medical conditions. Again, check with your doctor before taking any herb or supplement.
  3. Purchase any herbs or dietary supplements from reputable manufacturers. Consult with your pharmacist if you purchase these products from a pharmacy.
Manipulative and Body Based Practices (e.g. massage, chiropractor)

  1. Be wary of claims that these services will help allergies, or diseases.
  2. If you use the services of a chiropractor you should be cautious if you have back pain with a fever, are at risk of a stroke, have an infection, are experiencing inflammation, or have a malignant disease in the vertebrae.
  3. Manipulative and body based practices have not been shown to provide benefits for diseases.
  4. You may wish to limit or not engage in a massage if you have skin allergies, broken or weakened bones, cancer, skin infections, osteoporosis.