All About AIDS: Alternative Treatment

What is an Alternative Treatment?

"A health treatment that does not fit into standard western medical practice is called “alternative” or “complementary”. It is estimated more than 70% of Americans with HIV or AIDS use alternative treatments in addition to the standard western medical treatments. Complementary treatments are also favored by many doctors: these unconventional approaches are proven to relive some of the anti-viral drug's side effects, reduce stress, and have unforeseen benefits, and they can act as a placebo.

What do Alternative Treatments for AIDS & HIV include?

	Ayurveda and Chinese acupuncture
	Botanical Remedies
	Chiropractic therapy, massage therapy, or traditional yoga

Are Alternative Treatments safe?

Alternative Treatments are usually quite beneficial, as long as the patient consults his or her doctor before starting the therapy. Furthermore, learn as much as possible about your treatment so that you are prepared.

What are Ayurveda and Chinese acupuncture?

Ayurveda means "Science of Life" in Sanskrit. It is based on the belief that all illness is caused by an imbalance in a person's life forces. It works to correct this through different treatments such as acupuncture, aroma therapy, steam baths, and message.

Chinese Acupuncture is a 4,000 year old procedure in which minute needles are inserted into the skin and manipulated to relieve pain. However, nowadays, the more common practice is to send low power currents through the needles instead of twirling them. This provides the same anesthetic affect, and it does so more effectively. There are more than 360 points at which needles are inserted, all of which are for certain ailments or injuries. It has been suggested by some studies preformed on sick rabbits and dogs that this treatment is truly effective. In the animals, there was a dramatic increase in the level of endorphins in the spinal fluid. This means that pain would be alleviated naturally by the body's own chemicals.

What are Chiropractic, Massage, and Yoga therapies?

	Chiropractic is based on the relationships between the spinal cord, the circulatory system, exercise, nutrition, and other parts of lifestyle. The main focus however, is the manipulation of the spinal vertebrae, and other joints in the human body. This careful manipulation is supposed to relive pain by improving nerve function. Science indicates that chiropractic therapy may release endorphins, the body's natural painkillers in a way similar to acupuncture.
	Message therapy is similar to chiropractic therapy, it involves a wide variety of simulative techniques including heating or cooling muscle tissue, kneading or gently drumming on muscle tissue. Its goal is to increase blood flow and restore a natural balance to the body.
	Yoga is one of six classic hindu philosophies. It focuses on bodily and mental discipline, through which a person can surpass the limitations of the flesh. Yogi (people who practice yoga) follow a progression of principles that lead to true knowledge. (1) Self-Control, (2) Religious observance, (3) Postures, (4) Control and Regulation of breath, (5) Discipline of the senses, (6) Steadying of the mind, (7) Meditation, and (8) Profound Contemplation. The practitioners of Yoga are know for amazing feats of self-discipline and bodily control, many of which have been proven to be medically sound and helpful.

What plants are commonly found in AIDS & HIV botanical remedies?

	Zizyphus jujuba		Alternanthera philoxeroides
	Fructus lycii		Hypericum japonicum
	Lithospermum rythrorhizon		Semen armeniacae
	Articum lappa		Porphyra tenera
	Coix semen		Baphiacanthis rhizoma
	Nelumbo nucifera		Prunella vulgaris

Simply put, botanical Remedies are medicines derived from plants and are given to the patient with little or no processing. The medicinal properties of these plants are yet to be ascertained, however some studies in China do show very promising results.

Sources

Bartlett, John. "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. CD_ROM. ed. 2004.
Nature Products. 14 Feb 2004. <http://natureproducts.net/>.
"The Specialized Information Services Division of the National Library of Medicine." 9 Feb 2004. National Library of Medicine. 14 Feb 2004. <http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/>.
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center. 14 Feb 2004. 14 Feb 2004. <http://www.aidsinfonet.org/>.