There are several advantages of alternative medicine, especially when combined with Western medical treatment. When you choose to add alternative treatments to a Western treatment plan for a specific health situation, the process is referred to as Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) because the alternative treatments are working in conjunction with the primary health care plan, and the treatments complement each other. It's important to communicate with all health care providers to make sure the treatments work together, but as long as proper communication is established, you may benefit greatly from combining treatments.

The following list provides five reasons to add complementary alternative medical treatments as part of your health care.

Some Alternative Treatments are Holistic in Nature

Many Alternative Treatments Have Been Proven Over Centuries

Medicine is Not an Exact Science

Complementary Alternative Medicine Often Uses Natural Methods

Alternative Treatments Can Reduce the Number of Prescription Drugs You Need

Yoga, meditation, and lifestyle changes such as dietary changes and exercise can help your diabetes; and, relieve mild depression or pain without the need for drugs.

You may want to work together with your Western doctor to see if you can use alternative treatments in place of some of the drugs you have been prescribed.

Note: Unfortunately, you need to be aware that many doctors are not willing to work with alternative treatments because these treatments may reduce your dependence on the drugs!