Which is better?

Question

Which is better using prescription drugs, using natural herbs (and other things associated with them), or seeing a chiropractor (and using whatever help they can give you).

Answer 1

Being that I was raised in an asian medical philosophy (which many European countries also share the same) where we advocate conservative measures first before resorting to drugs and surgery always for last... I'm shocked and amazed how many Americans have such little disregard for their own health and who want to get rid of pain at the expense of damaging other organs or their own health. It doesn't make sense to me.

So, in this regard... I advocate seeing a nutritionist and naturopath first. American diet is horrible: loaded with chemicals, genetically modified foods, preservatives, and so forth. There's barely any nutritional substance in the food, almost void of any vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients which the body badly craves for. You can avoid so many chronic diseases today just from proper nutrition and exercise. I refer all my patients on chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and so forth to a nutritionist/naturopath. Many of those patients have immune systems that went crazy reacting to the toxins in the American diet and attacking their own bodies. It's no joke, many of those diseases were unheard of 30 years ago, ask your parents. Ever since increased availability of processed toxic foods entered the American diet, all these diseases became more rampant.

I also advocate chiropractic. The nervous system controls all functions in the body. That includes all the organs. If 80% of the signal from the brain reaches to the organ, what % does that organ function at? Precisely. I've seen first hand what chiropractic can do. Not only for pain, but effective for lowering blood pressure, cure infertility, asthma, IBS, GERD, ulcers, chronic diseases, and so forth. Quite conservative with least amount of side effects.

When that is not enough, again, I consult with a naturopath to see what natural herbs or homeopathic medication is suitable for the patient. Both are not without side effects and can be harmful if not prepared properly by a trained and experience doctor. But still, far significantly less complications than prescription drugs.

When that is not enough, and more immediate corrective measures are required, then I would advise prescription medication. All prescription medications are toxic to the body. All of them damage the liver and kidneys. Some damage other organs or other areas more so than others. You are merely trading one bad problem for another. Most medications only suppress, not cure, which is another issue. This truly should be one of the last resorts, not the first choice. Did you know only 20% of prescription medication are evidence based proven to work? We still don't even know all the benefits and every mechanism of function of aspirin, the 1st and most oldest pain killer in modern medicine. Do you guys also know that 106,000 Americans die each year from prescription drugs? 2,200,000 Americans, that's right, 2.2 million per year, suffered adverse reactions to prescription drugs. How many people do you know that suffered complications from healthy nutrition, herbs, homeopathic medication, and chiropractic all together? It's far less than 100,000, that's for sure.

So, that's my two cents from a doc who's seen it all and trying to help as many patients as possible to true health.

Answer 2

It depends on the quality of the health care provider, and the type of problem you have. The best doctors beyond being able to fix problems well also will know when a problem is outside their field of expertise and refer you to someone else. So, if you can find a normal doctor that sometimes recconends herbs/body work, or a chiropractor who recomends allopathy at time, that's your best bet.

Overall, I prefer "natural herbs" since over 80% of the health problems you get you can fix yourself (sometimes with a quick visit to the store), and you don't need to go see a chiropractor or doctor.

Also, it's funny to note, but nearly every single criticism of alternative medicine Kalos is citing in this one can be shown in conventional medications (which he advocates). The only exception would be the occasional animal body part, which
a) you can expect to find in nearly any food (yet somehow this is only a problem when you take herbs, you can ignore it for the other 90% of your diet)
b) they don't have chemicals added to them which can have an actual toxic effect (whereas bug parts don't do anything).

Answer 3

I have never in my life read a Good Night poem like this. All will be well now. Sleep the sleep of the just and of those with hearts and souls as beautiful as yours.

Answer 4

For what condition?

Prescription drugs have been tested extensively, they are safe and effective and their side effects are known.

Herbs etc generally have not been tested so their side effects, safety and effectiveness are often unknown.

Chiropractic is good for lower back pain but not other conditions.

Answer 5

i really don't like prescription anti-depressants and i would much rather smoke marijuana, i used to be on prescription anti-depressants and ever since i starting smoking pot, my mind is much clearer i am much happier and i just generally feel much better, and i dint have to use it as often. i just believe a lot of prescriptions cause more problems than they fix. marijuana is a much better alternative than any pills. and for all of you people who are going to respond negatively to this post, you obviously are not depressed and don't smoke.

Answer 6

well with perscription, you can never be 100% sure what's in them.
herbal you can be. but you have to KNOW herbal medicine to take it. :)
i personally like herbal better. so much better for you in my opinion.

Answer 7

seeing an actual doctor and not a chiropractor.