REAL CURE. GENTLE CURE.
It wasn't long ago that alternative medicine was considered unproven or unsafe. But the trend for more natural health care is gaining some credibility.
Podiatrist Tracey Vlahovic was skeptical when she first heard about treating plantar warts with marigolds.
"I think when you first hear about it you're a bit cynical because it sort of seems too good to be true."
But after several of her patients were successfully treated with the flowery concoction, she's turned a new leaf, merging her traditional training with natural medicine.
Dr. Judy Fulop is a naturopathic physician: "people are realizing that there are physicians out here who are actually working with patients in both areas."
The surge in natural, or complementary medicine, first hit the U.S. in 1993, when a study found one in three Americans used alternative therapies, numbers that still hold today.
Fulop says people are talking with their physicians "and saying, 'I'm using these herbs. I'm using this homeopathy' and going to practitioners who are skilled in that area, rather than just reading it out of a book. So it has blossomed in the past 20 years."
And it's not just about acupuncture and vitamins. The cornerstone of naturopathic medicine is its "whole person" approach.
Control starts with food. Doctor Fulop believes limiting inflammatory foods, such as wheat or dairy, can alleviate problems for some people.
"People come back four weeks later when they visit me and say, 'I didn't believe, I didn't realize that food made such a difference in my life.' Food makes a difference in sleep. Food makes a difference in fatigue, alertness, focusing."
Herbs and supplements also play a role, but professional advice can save you money and complications.
Fulop sees patients who come to her with suitcases full of herbs that they've bought at health food stores or online, "and we go through them. And many times they've got three of the same thing, or they're using something that is not beneficial for them."
Natural medicine also doesn't mean shutting the door on traditional care, because both play a role in your health.
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