Traditional and Holistic Medicine
1 Sep
David uses a combination of traditional and holistic (or Eastern and Western) medicine to treat his arthritis. He seems to be in the minority.
It seems like most people are either one extreme or the other. Some people refer to medication as poison. Others say the benefits of acupuncture are only psychological.
In our experience, both medication and holistic care are helpful for David. David tries everything for his arthritis. (Of course, everything is under the supervision of a team of doctors.) There is no cure for Psoriatic Arthritis, but we want him to feel as good as possible. And that’s the point: whatever works.
We shouldn’t judge someone for taking prescribed medication or changing to an all natural, organic diet. We should just be thankful when people with chronic illness are able to get relief.
I know there are people out there who think we’re crazy for buying organic, grass fed beef raised without antibiotics or hormones, even though I drink Diet Coke, and David takes some of the strongest medications available. Don’t judge too harshly. We’re doing what works for us.
If you got to the Invisible Illness website, you can sign up to receive their daily updates and the incredible 83 page ebook, Chronic Illness Tips: 263 Ways to Do More Than Just Get By. Here’s a great quote from the book by Lisa Copen:
We are not here to compare our experiences with others in order to see who is in the most pain. We are all hurting. Our goal is to see where our hurts (and our hopes!) may overlap and be a support and encouragement to others.
Well said, Ashley!!
Oh Ashley, well said!!! Thank you so much for sharing !!!
Great post! You have the most logical approach to me…as a society there is so much we can do better with what we put in our bodies, but modern medicine is such a wonderful tool that God uses as well.
I appreciate the quote from Lisa Copen. I saw a video this week about a man that had no arms or legs…he had an incredible testimony…and said his strength and comfort comes not from finding someone “worse-off” than him, but from the Holy Spirit and his relationship with our Lord.
I love National Chronic Illness week in that it is a reminder to open our eyes, to truly see others in need or who silently struggle, and to show compassion. Our ultimate example? The Lord Jesus who continuously had compassion for others. Not a day passes in that we are not thinking of and praying for you both. <3
I appreciated this post because I too have encountered a lot of judgment about what I’m doing. I have changed to a no-grain, no-sugar diet, and have been able to eliminate several drugs as a result. However, I have narcolepsy with cataplexy, and although the symptoms have lessened because of my dietary changes, I absolutely cannot function without the anti-depressant that helps control my cataplexy and the strong sedative I have to take to get quality sleep. Everyone’s body and situation is different, and we don’t know exactly what someone else is going through. So thanks for your thoughts on this.
I agree. I think you have to do whatever works and if it is psychological but if makes you feel better, why not.
LisaDay
We have been so blessed to have been introduced to some alternative treatments for my son’s allergies!