S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

There are many different forms of alternative medicine available today. This sometimes leads to confusion among Christians as to whether to consider using alternative forms of medicine in place of ...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Steven Best Supporter Former mil intel analyst, chiropractor & Bible Teacher

When looking at healing approaches alternative to the medical model, I think it is important to look at the individual professions, their training, and the historical background of their crafts or sciences. As a retired chiropractor, I can testify to the fact that the Christian Chiropractic Association has always had a healthy roster of Baptists, Evangelicals and Pentecostals, while a large number of nonmembers are denominational Christians. Chiropractic is especially appealing to them as a profession, because it recognizes the fact our Creator has designed within each human body an innate intelligence, capable of healing sickness, wounds, and injuries without even having to think about. Their philosophy centers on facilitating those innate, natural processes to restore or accelerate healing.

Osteopaths share a similar background emphasizing proper joint alignment for optimal nerve function and health. Depending on the state, many write prescriptions and follow more closely the medical/pharmaceutical healing model. Some even practice surgery or psychiatry. Both chiropractors and osteopaths require 8 years of intense post-high school education from accredited colleges, with a minimum of 2 years internship, and the passing of rigorous national board exams in basic and clinical sciences on par with the medical profession. States require extensive licensing board exams, as both of these groups have been organized in the US for over 120 years, and many of their procedures date back to antiquity. The primary difference in them is that chiropractors concentrate less study on pharmaceuticals, in favor of joint manipulation. Bold seek to work with the natural healing processes of the body, by removing impediments to it. Diet, nutrition, exercise, good personal hygiene, and the maintenance of proper joint alignment have always been hallmarks of their treatments. Many also pursue (3 yr) advanced national board certifications in orthopedics, neurology, nutrition, industrial health, sports injuries or acupuncture, while osteopaths even have a program for neurology & psychiatry. 

Naturopeathy has been with us for millennia, and requires less education. They are licensed in about 15 states, and forbidden in 2 (SC & TN). However, that does not mean they are totally ineffective or dangerous, just that they are not regulated or recognized everywhere. In fact, naturopaths concentrate more closely on fresh air, sunshine, exercise, pH balance, diet and nutrition, while employing healing herbs, which have been used successfully for thousands of years. The fact is, most pharmaceutical potions, such as aspirin, have been derived from the herbal arts of various tribes and societies around the world. For instance, salicylic acid, the primary ingredient in aspirin, was only "discovered" when a researcher learned American Indian medicine men ground birchbark up and processed it to successfully treat headaches. (For an interesting look at healing herbs and history, ask your library to provide you a copy of the Vine Rhyme Herbal book by Jeffrey Mason.)

Homeopathy is licensed in some states, and extensively used throughout Europe. England's royal family has always utilized it in the treatment of their conditions, though the need for and use of the royal surgeon is also fully recognized. Enough has been written about acupuncture at this site, that I will not spend time on it, except to say it has been successfully utilized by a large portion of the world for thousands of years. I encourage Christians to prayerfully look into the alternative approaches, by reading books, and talking to folks who utilize them. Get a better understanding of how they have helped others. To further protect yourself, you can also check if they are licensed or if there are complaints lodged with the BBB or licensing committees against them.

January 01 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report