By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.
“The Mayo Clinic: Guide to Alternative Medicine 2007” is an excellent resource for people who are interested in determining which alternative medicine practices are effective and which are not. The book reviews most of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) methods and discusses how integrative medicine goals are to treat the whole person — mind, body and spirit — not just the disease of the individual.
“The Mayo Clinic: Guide to Alternative Medicine 2007” suggested the following therapies and what they are most commonly used for. Each therapy and supplement is discussed in great detail in this book.
Acupuncture: Most commonly used for nausea, fibromyalgia, and some forms of dental, post-surgical and chronic pain
Guided Imagery: Most commonly used for headache and some forms of pain
Hypnosis: Most commonly used for anxiety, pain and tension
Massage: Most commonly used for anxiety, back pain and fibromyalgia
Mediation: Most commonly used for anxiety, stress, fibromyalgia, and high blood pressure
Music Therapy: Most commonly used for relaxation, stress and depression
Spinal Manipulation: Most commonly used for lLow back pain
Spirituality: Most commonly used for medical illness and chronic disease
Tai Chi: Most commonly used for balance and strength and cardiovascular
Yoga: Most commonly used for anxiety, stress, depression, heart disease, and high blood pressure
“The Mayo Clinic: Guide to Alternative Medicine 2007” suggested the following therapies and what they are most commonly used for. Each therapy and supplement is discussed in great detail in this book.
Black Cohosh: Most commonly used for hot flashes
Chrondrotin: Most commonly used for Arthritis
Garlic: Most commonly used for High Cholesterol
Ginkgo: Most commonly used for Dementia and claudication
Ginseng: Most commonly used for improved quality of life
Glucosamine: Most commonly used for Arthritis
SAM-e: Most commonly used for Arthritis and depression
Saw Palmetto: Most commonly used for benign prostatic hyperplasia
St. John's Wort: Most commonly used for mild depression
Valerian: Most commonly used for sleep difficulties and anxiety
In this chapter, herbs and botanicals, vitamins, minerals and hormones and other compounds, such as probiotics, Coenzyme Q10, melatonin and SAM-e, are discussed. The chapter begins with the ‘promise and perils' of dietary supplements. The editors have a section for each item called ‘Our Take and What the Research Says.' Our Take is written in the green light, red light, yellow light format.
This chapter is excellent. Each of the 10 common conditions discussed include: common cold, depression, fibromyalgia, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), sexual problems, stress and anxiety and vaginal yeast infections. The conventional treatment and complementary and alternative treatment for each condition is discussed.
Larry Bergstrom's, M.D., chapter on ‘Be Smart, Be Safe' provides consumers with some insights into combining alternative, complementary and conventional treatments. The first recommendation is to be “upfront with your doctor.” Bergstrom suggests in this chapter that consumers sometimes neglect to tell their doctors they are taking an assortment of herbs and supplements. He reminds consumers that their doctor has the same goal for the consumer, which is “to help you live a healthy and long life.”
Bergstrom suggests five steps to follow when consumers are interested in trying complementary or alternative medicine:
Once you determine the complementary approach is for you, Bergstrom gives consumers a list of questions you can ask yourself about whether the approach is working for you.
In addition, this chapter reviews how ‘Dietary Supplements: Are not Your Typical Pills' and how to spot a fraud. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Also, this chapter discusses ‘When Medicine and Herbs Don't Mix.' Some conventional medicines can be affected by herbs.
If you are interested in learning about complimentary and alternative therapies this book is an excellent resource. I am confident that the information in this book is up-to-date and presents the consumer with essential information about the how to's when combining the best of conventional medicine with the best of complementary and alternative treatments to make a healthier you.
“Mayo Clinic Guide to Alternative Medicine, 2007” can be ordered online at www.Bookstore.Mayo.Clinic.com or by calling (877) 647-6397.
