Using alternative medicine treatments for many ailments can help your body avoid some of the negative side effects of prescription drugs. Using a holistic approach to health is a great way to get in tune with what your body needs naturally.
Of course, while seeking a more natural treatment may seem what’s best, it can also be detrimental to your health and recovery, especially if you have a serious medical condition. Here are some examples of when you may wish to put holistic treatment aside and seek help with conventional medicine first.
Lower Back and Leg Pain
Many people experience lower back pain as a part of everyday stress on muscles and joints, but when it gets to the point that the pain is out of control or can’t be dulled with over the counter meds, you should go see the doctor.
Holistic healing approaches with hot and cold therapies or back braces may provide temporary relief, but they don’t always get to the root of the problem. It’s time to see the doctor if you’re experiencing:
- Severe pain in your lower back and legs
- Numbness and tingling in your back or extremities
- Limited range of motion in your back or legs
An appointment with a qualified orthopedic surgeon may be the only way to find out the main cause of the issue and get a proper diagnosis.
Lower back pain can also trigger pain in the hips and legs, or it could be the sign of an underlying issue, such as arthritis or degeneration in the hips. Having a surgery, such as a hip replacement, may be the only resolution to help resolve the cause of the leg and back pain.
Cancer Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have a growth or see an area of concern that could be a sign of cancer or abnormal cell mutations, it’s time to seek proper medical advice for an initial diagnosis.
A doctor that has access to MRI or CT scans is the initial step in getting a precise diagnosis of cancer. There are many ways to treat cancer, including holistic ways, but for advanced or aggressive cancer types or issues, you should always follow your doctor’s advice. He may advise you to practice holistic approaches to treating your cancer in addition to immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Be sure that if you decide to go the natural route with your treatment, you let your doctor know. Also, let him know any natural herbs or compounds you may be taking as you receive traditional medicine or treatment. Some natural herbs can counteract prescription medications and some forms of cancer treatment.
Severe Abdominal Distress
If you’ve been having severe abdominal pain, one of the first steps you take should be going to the emergency room for a complete health evaluation. If you wish to avoid traditional medicine and doctors, you could be putting your health at grave risk.
A ruptured appendix is just one possibility of severe abdominal pain. When accompanied by a fever, vomiting, and disorientation, you should seek medical help right away. Pancreatitis, kidney stones, and intestinal blockages are other possibilities of severe abdominal pain and discomfort.
Not addressing these issues through a proper medical diagnosis can be life-threatening. After you have had surgery or the proper procedure to address your medical problem, then you can discuss holistic follow-up care with your doctor.
Cardiovascular Problems
Have you been diagnosed with heart disease or high blood pressure? Your doctor may have recommended some lifestyle changes like eating healthier and getting more exercise in order to help bring your lab results back into the normal range. In this case, you may be able to utilize holistic methods to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
If you have serious medical problems such as atrial fibrillation or have had a recent stroke or heart attack, you’ll want to make sure your doctor approves any holistic medicine or approach you wish to take to help treat your medical condition. Failure to do so could have life-altering consequences.
Utilizing homeopathic ways to treat illness and disease is a wonderful way to eliminate or avoid a lot of the side effects of modern prescription meds. But keep in mind that not all medical conditions can be treated completely naturally. Always talk to your doctor before embarking on any holistic journey.
