The Rise of Unconventional Approaches for Optimal Health

In an article titled Unconventional Medicine in the United States - Prevalence, Costs, and Patterns of Use, David M. Eisenberg, Ronald C. Kessler, Cindy Foster, Frances E. Norlock, David R. Calkins, and Thomas L. Delbanco define unconventional approaches as medical interventions not taught widely at U.S. medical schools or generally available at U.S. hospitals. Examples include acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage therapy (1993). Many additional unconventional approaches have been identified since this article was written and these approaches include, but are not limited to: reflexology, pastoral counseling, art therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, journaling, biofeedback, support groups, homeopathy and much more. All of these approaches are more clearly defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine as mind-body medicine. Mind-body medicine involves behavioral, psychological, social, and spiritual approaches to health. (2004).

David Eisenberg and his colleagues (1993), conducted a national telephone survey focusing on 16 interventions that represented unconventional approaches used commonly in the United States to improve their understanding of the use of unconventional approaches. Their study focused on the following questions: What is the extent of use of unconventional therapy in the United States? How much is spent annually on these therapies, including out-of-pocket and third party payments? What sociodemographic factors distinguish users of unconventional therapy from nonusers? For what medical conditions do people most commonly use unconventional therapy? And to what extent are medical doctors responsible for or informed about the use of unconventional approaches by their patients? 

Through this extensive study David Eisenberg et al. found that unconventional medicine has an enormous presence in the U.S. health care system. An estimated one in three persons in the U.S. adult population used unconventional therapy in 1990. The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical doctors nationwide, and the amount spent out of pocket on unconventional therapy was comparable to the amount spent out of pocket by Americans for all hospitalizations. Roughly 1 in 4 Americans who see their medical doctors for a serious health problem may be using unconventional therapy in addition to conventional medicine for that problem, and 7 of 10 such encounters take place without patients' telling their medical doctors that they use unconventional therapy (1993).

This study not only pointed out the rising use of unconventional approaches and modalities, but it also showed that more people are using them than we are aware of. If conventional medicine met all of the needs of the patient, then unconventional approaches would not be necessary, however, that is not the case. More often than not, the need for unconventional approaches coupled with conventional medicine is exactly what the patient needs to reach optimal recovery.

Living Waters Ministry via the TBI Hope branch of the ministry considers themselves as an unconventional approach for individuals with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and family members. TBI Hope understands the need for alternative, unconventional approaches to fully meet the needs for those in the TBI Community. For this reason TBI Hope is hosting a conference called: Unconventional Approaches- Wellness Focused.  

The purpose of this conference will be to educate providers and survivors alike by introducing them to methods that are available to them outside the basic "medical model' or standard recommended treatments following a traumatic brain injury. Many times survivors will find themselves without services or with limited options due to their insurance coverage or other factors. Due to this overall nutrition and wellness after a TBI tend to be overlooked rather frequently. With the understanding that every brain injury is different, we also understand that sometimes there are different presenting problems that need to be addressed in a more unconventional manner. The purpose of this conference is to provide hope for the survivor and those that provide them with services by demonstrating to them that there are many options out there and that the options are not as unattainable as assumed. The following experienced and credible experts in their field will be speaking on different subject matters pertaining to Wellness, Chiropractic Neurology and other topics: Dr. Greg Goode, Dr. Tom Gross, Kat Spinks and April Grant.

Unconventional approaches are not just a growing trend they are a necessity for overall well being and optimal health. No matter what stage of life or what medical condition one may face, to be educated on what is available for one’s unique condition is part of taking control and ownership of one’s overall well being. To learn more about the upcoming conference scheduled for January 20^, 2012 at the Living Waters Retreat facility email: Livingwaters.tbihope@gmail.com or visit our website at: www.tbihope.com. 

This article was written by: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW/CBIS, and the Program Director of TBI Hope and can also by viewed at: http://nutraspace.com/a/index.php/easyblog/entry/the-rise-of-unconventional-approaches-for-optimal-healt

References

Eisenberg, D.M., Kessler, R.C., Foster, C., Norlock, F.E., Calkins, D.R. & Delbanco,  T.L. (1993). Unconventional medicine in the United States: Prevalence, costs, and patterns of use. New England Journal of Medicine, 328:246-252. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199301283280406#t=articleBackground

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2004). National Institute of Health. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://your-doctor.com/patient_info/alternative_remedies/overview_alternrx.html