In the past weeks, we have discussed several categories of items that, while they are effective or beneficial on their own, work better in conjunction with something else. As a small business owner, you need to keep your health as a top priority; particularly if you are a solopreneur, you may be the one in charge of handling most, if not all, aspects of your business. For this reason, it’s prudent to go for regular check ups and to see a health professional if you are sick or injured. In some cases, you might be wise to seek the advice of a naturopath, chiropractor or acupuncturist. When deciding what type of health care to seek, whether alternative or conventional, it’s good to keep an open mind. Complementary and conventional health practices work better in tandem; like many other things, they are better together.
Over the course of your life, there are going to be some times when conventional medicine is more appropriate and other times when alternative medicine is more appropriate. Many times, though, they can work in conjunction with one another. Here are a few examples:
- If you have non-specific symptoms, such as occasional headaches, digestive troubles or muscular discomfort, you should first see a medical doctor to rule out diseases and disorders. If no cause is found or if the cause is attributed to stress, an alternative healthcare provider might be able to give you another perspective and gentle, non-invasive treatments.
- If you are on prescription medications, never stop taking them without seeking the advice of your medical professional. If you’re interested in possibly trying herbal or other natural remedies, a naturopath or other alternative practitioner can advise you. Please note that you may have reactions when taking herbal remedies, particularly if you are already taking conventional medicine; never take herbs without the advice of a knowledgeable professional! You can find more safety tips on the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website.
- For women with low-risk pregnancies, a midwife may give more hands-on care than a medical doctor. In some cases, though, you may need to switch to the care of an obstetrician.
- Holistic practices such as yoga and meditation help with stress relief and may help to reduce pain, and may be complementary to conventional treatments for diseases requiring medical intervention, such as cancer, diabetes or high blood pressure.
If you are a medical provider or an alternative practitioner, there is no reason to think that you must compete with the other type of healthcare provider! It may be to your benefit to collaborate with other practitioners. You will then have a trusted alternative or conventional healthcare provider to turn to when it comes time to refer a patient. You can use
commonfig’s tools to locate professionals in your area, who may be interested in pursuing a collaborative relationship.
How have you been successful at combining conventional and alternative healthcare practices? Share your experiences with our readers!
In the past weeks, we have discussed several categories of items that, while they are effective or beneficial on their own, work better in conjunction with something else. As a small business owner, you need to keep your health as a top priority; particularly if you are a solopreneur, you may be the one in charge of handling most, if not all, aspects of your business. For this reason, it’s prudent to go for regular check ups and to see a health professional if you are sick or injured. In some cases, you might be wise to seek the advice of a naturopath, chiropractor or acupuncturist. When deciding what type of health care to seek, whether alternative or conventional, it’s good to keep an open mind. Complementary and conventional health practices work better in tandem; like many other things, they are better together.
Over the course of your life, there are going to be some times when conventional medicine is more appropriate and other times when alternative medicine is more appropriate. Many times, though, they can work in conjunction with one another. Here are a few examples:
