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Is there a downside to relying solely on alternative therapies for chronic illnesses?

Lani Kite

As a social media user, I can confidently say that there is absolutely a downside to relying solely on alternative therapies for chronic illnesses. Now, before all you crystal-worshipping, essential oil-loving, Reiki-healing folk get your chakras in a twist, let me explain.

First of all, let's define what we mean by "alternative therapies." We're talking about any sort of treatment that's not mainstream western medicine - things like acupuncture, herbal remedies, meditation, and energy healing. And don't get me wrong, some of these things can be incredibly beneficial. I love me a good yoga session or a cup of chamomile tea as much as the next person. But when it comes to serious, chronic illnesses, relying solely on alternative therapies can be dangerous.

Why? Well, let's start with the fact that a lot of these alternative therapies just haven't been studied enough. Western medicine has rigorous testing protocols to ensure the safety and efficacy of treatments before they hit the market. Alternative therapies, on the other hand, often lack that same level of scrutiny. Sure, some studies have shown promising results for things like acupuncture and herbal remedies, but many of these studies are small, poorly designed, or funded by biased organizations. When you're dealing with a serious illness, you want to be sure that the treatment you're using has been thoroughly vetted and is backed up by solid evidence.

Another issue with alternative therapies is that they often don't address the root cause of the illness. Take, for example, someone with rheumatoid arthritis. This is a serious autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain, inflammation, and fatigue. Sure, you could try taking some echinacea supplements or rubbing some peppermint essential oil on your knees, but that's not going to address the underlying problem - your immune system attacking your own body. Western medicine has treatments for RA that can actually modulate the immune system and slow down the disease progression. Alternative therapies just can't do that.

Finally, relying solely on alternative therapies can be dangerous because it can cause people to delay or forego proven medical treatments. I've lost count of how many times I've seen someone say "I'm not going to take my blood pressure medication anymore, I'm just going to start doing yoga every day!" Um, no. That's not how this works. Blood pressure medication has been shown, time and time again, to be effective at reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious complications. Yoga might be a nice addition to a healthy lifestyle, but it's not going to replace medication.

So, to sum up: there's absolutely a downside to relying solely on alternative therapies for chronic illnesses. Sure, some of these treatments can be helpful as part of a holistic approach to health, but when it comes to serious medical conditions, you need to stick with treatments that have been proven to be safe and effective. Don't let your love for crystals blind you to the hard science.