In this section of Health-Essentials.info, you will find a variety of articles dealing with a less-than-scientific approach to healthcare.  But, that's alright.  There can be a lot of wisdom in "conventional wisdom", and the scientific method can be rather blinding, at times.

What is important here is what works and doesn't work.  It's a place to explore the options available to us and help one another along the path to health — naturally.

The importance of sharing our experiences

Ever wonder why support groups are flourishing so much?  Part of the reason is the sense of community they provide; a sense that we are not alone in whatever circumstances the group was established to support.  But another important part of their value is in sharing ideas and experiences — telling others in similar circumstances about the things we've tried that have hurt or helped us in our efforts to overcome/cope.

It's natural for people with special needs to seek answers; and when something is found to work, it's natural to share it.  It's not science; it proves nothing; but the benefits can be life-changing.

The value of anecdotal reporting

Though largely discounted by the medical profession (unless it suits its own purposes), the experiences people have present valuable information for those seeking better health.  While not as reliable as true science, given the limited base from which to make any conclusions, significant gains can be achieved by following in the footsteps of other.  Here are some of those reports.

The medical establishment — including the FDA and giant pharmaceutical companies — would have us believe that the only valid information on health is information sifted through a scientific method of its own creation.  "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA" is supposed to indicate to us that we can't trust the information.  Case studies — even thousands of case studies, reported over hundreds of years — have no real value in this system.  They are merely anecdotal; un-scientific.

But science is at least part philosophy; and as with any area of philosophy, knowledge is not perfect.  No one has the corner on the Truth (and certainly not the people who brought us Vioxx).  We must come to recognize the importance of an alternate view.

Two very different points of view:

Moving away from its historic roots, over the last 150 years (and especially since World War II), medical science has focused its attention on pathogens and the control of symptoms.  As one author put it, medical science begins with death.  Its model looks at what caused the person to die (the autopsy) and works backwards.  (How things are actually supposed to work is not really in the picture here.)  In the process, this model applies means (drugs, surgeries and other "therapies") that force the body out of balance in the other direction to alleviate symptoms.  But, it does not cure; the body is never brought back into balance.  Disease becomes a life-style.

Totally opposed to this model, alternative healthcare approaches begin with life.  They consider how the body is supposed to work — when it is in a state of perfect health — and apply means to restore and enhance the body's natural state of balance and harmony.  In this model, the body is allowed to heal itself; and health becomes the life-style.

These two perspectives should be able to work hand-in-hand, enhancing the benefits of each; but because of the parochial attitudes of the medical profession, this has been impossible.

An alternative view on issues of health:

On these pages, Health-Essentials.info will consider alternatives to the standard healthcare system, focusing on natural health and wellness; looking at threats to your health and other health issues from an alternative health perspective.  The articles here are not scientific; but it is hoped that these anecdotal reports and case studies will offer you some insight into issues of health that face us all today, and provide you an alternative to the present healthcare system.

As always, your contributions to this discussion are always welcome.  Just send your story or topic ideas to me at Tom@Health-Essentials.info.

---

Adventures in natural health and wellness

Testimonials of how people have benefited with alternative healthcare options

Many studies have been done in recent years indicating that there are between 783,936 and 999,936 deaths in America each year at the hands of doctors.  What makes these figures even more startling is that only between 5-20% of iatrogenic events are ever reported.

And these figures only deal with deaths.

And yet, despite these figures, the medical profession and the FDA would like to dismiss alternative approaches to health and wellness as unscientific and unproven; something to be avoided if you care about your health.

"These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA."

Chronic Diseases: The other side of this tragedy

Added to the toll of iatrogenic deaths is the suffering of those with chronic conditions who look to modern medicine for answers.  While the advances in modern medicine's ability to deal with trauma and acute disease is absolutely amazing — and to be admired and treasured — when it comes to chronic diseases, there are literally hundreds — if not thousands — for which medicine can offer no substantive help.  Often as not, when there is some small measure of care to offer, the side-effects are as bad as the original problem.  I've seen too often the cascading of disorders as people I cared about sank deeper into ill-health.

Precious alternatives:

Thankfully, you're not limited to the short-sighted and darkened thinking of the medical establishment.  Many people have found the precious freedom from "incurable" and chronic health problems through alternative modalities.

Despite the fact that, in most cases, the costs were paid entirely out-of-pocket, surveys have shown a 47.3% increase in the number of total visits to alternative medicine practitioners between 1990 and 1997 — an increase exceeding that to all American primary care physicians.  The amount paid out-of-pocket increased 45.2%, and exceeded that paid for all hospitalizations.  (Source: PubMed.)

There is a simple reason for this.  Where medicine can offer no real hope, alternative therapies often produce significant benefits.  In some cases, nearly miraculous benefits.

In the following pages, you'll read the testimonies of others who overcame many different problems using natural means.

So, when modern medicine gives up on you, don't give up.  Read, and be encouraged.  There is hope.

What you'll find in this section:

These are only the first of what I hope will be a great body of "case study" evidence of the power of natural modalities to restore people to health.  If you have an experience to share, I'd would love to hear it.  Send your testimonial to Tom@Health-Essentials.info.  I will be happy to post it here.

• My Story: How I climbed out of over 30 years of disability from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to start my own business, when medical science could do nothing for me.
• Linda's story: How she had her hearing restored and overcame depression, as well as help for a number of lesser things.
• Gary Young's Story: The story of how Gary Young, completely overcame a crippling injury that doctors said would leave him wheel-chair bound and in pain for life, to where he feels better today than before his accident.
• Miscellaneous testimonials of restored health: How ordinary people overcame a variety of health problems using natural substances.  "The blind shall see, and the deaf shall hear, and the poor shall hear good news… "
• The grand-daddy of dietary supplements with amazing powers: How Nutrilite helped people with pernicious anemia, diabetes, Muscular Dystrophy and more.
• Using Essential Oils in Pregnancy and Labor: How aromatherapy can make the experience better.
• The Benefits of Hexagonally-Structured Water: How structured water provided a solution to getting the water I needed for hydration and detoxification.

All of these testimonials offer living proof that there is hope for vibrant health outside the traditional healthcare system.

To your health!