Customer Reviews

Balanced Healing: Combining Modern Medicine with Safe & Effective Alternative Therapies

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I had a bit of an advantage before reading Dr. Altshuler's book. You see, I've know Larry and have been a patient of his, from time-to-time, for several years. To say I was extremely excited for this published offering would be a supreme understatement.

I met Dr. Altshuler some years ago in a business setting. At the time, I had a chronic back problem resulting from an old sports injury. While it wasn't a debilitating problem, it was constant and frustrating. One of those chronic pains that was judged each morning as I arose from bed...sometimes not as painful, other times very painful. In any event, I was in a business meeting with Dr. Altshuler and was having a fairly problematic day with my back so, as I sat down at the conference table, I did so very gingerly. Dr. Altshuler asked me what the trouble was and I very offhandedly told him about my back problem. I indicated I had been to countless chiropractors and massage therapists to no avail. He asked me if I was willing to let him have a shot at helping me and I said, "sure." Well, to say I was hesitant to go to a doc who openly touted his alternative methodologies-cold laser therapy, not to mention acupuncture-was, well, rather uncomfortable. Net, net, I was very dubious...alternative treatment sounded like voodoo. However, my back problem was not getting any better and, as I told him, even if he had to sacrifice a chicken, I was willing to give it a go.

I arrived at his clinic for my first treatment. He did a thorough history and examination and prescribed a regimen of cold laser therapy and infrasonic treatments. He further put me with one of his technicians who offered several exercises and stretching activities to complement and assist in the treatment. The one thing he told me that I never forgot as well as solidifying my belief that this man REALLY knew what he was doing was, "These treatments should help get rid of the pain. It doesn't work for everyone but it helps most people." That let me know immediately that I was dealing with a realist, someone who was interested in his patients' well-being and health.

After the first week of treatments, my back was not any better and my attitude toward alternative medicine was still dubious at best. However, I was determined to run the spectrum of treatments in an effort to give this "new medicine" a real try. As the next few weeks and treatments passed, I noted some relief. Not full relief, mind you, but relief nonetheless. The best was yet to come.

Upon full completion of my treatments, some eight weeks later, my back pain literally dissipated. It was gone. That was in 1997. To this day, I still do the exercises and stretching activities each morning but can attest that I have still have no back pain. Voodoo? I don't think so. His knowledge, care, and thoroughness in determining the best treatment regimen was the key. His only interest was alleviating and ridding me of pain.

I've returned to Dr. Altshuler from time-to-time for various treatments associated with other aches, pains, and allergies...yes, allergies. While not all the results have been as miraculous as my experience with my back, the treatments have always provided relief.

Dr. Altshuler's new book, BALANCED HEALING, is a fairly exhaustive offering of his knowledge of conventional and alternative medicine (thus, "balanced" healing). This book is groundbreaking in its breadth and guidance. It is easy to read yet, in this reviewer's opinion, should be held closely as a reference guide. He offers an index of ailments with corresponding treatments. The only downside of the book is that the reader doesn't get the pleasure of Dr. Altshuler's hands-on presence. However, it's pretty close.

Awareness of alternative methods is becoming more accepted throughout the United States. Other countries have been using alternative treatments for years, or even centuries (acupuncture has been around 'forever' in China). The U.S. is in its infancy relative to acceptance of alternative methodologies. Without doubt, Dr. Altshuler is a domestic pioneer in combining conventional and alternative methods of treatment for a variety of illnesses and chronic syptoms.

This book will be a boon to anyone inasmuch as we all need "a bit of cure" now and then. The price of the book is negligible for the knowledge and priceless insight and the cure is, well, quite balanced.

Highly recommended.

I found this book to be helpful and organized. There is a wealth of good information between its covers and it is presented in a way that makes sense. I bought the book as a general guide to "living better" and have been very impressed. I am trying one of the recommended action plans to cure a nagging tennis elbow and, so far, it is working. I am intereted in the role alternative medicines can play in healing, and it extremely interesting when a board-certified physician is the one doing the explaining. The book begins with general discussions on both conventional and alternative medicine, then has a large section on recommended treatments for a number of specific ailments and conditions, from hay fever to high blood pressure. There is also a wealth of information on different alternative medicine products in a hundred page appendix. Thumbing through the book, it is easy to see the reinforcement of some general themes: diet and exercise, but they are supplemented with other interesting and easy to follow suggestions. I plan to begin following several of the actions plans, hopefully incorporating them into my life. I found much more information in this book relevelant to me and my health than I first imagined I would. I would recommend this book to evertyone.

This book is the most complete health reference I have come upon. Altshuler isn't bantering on about one method of treating pain but gives holistic advice as well as specific treatments for each ailment. This book gives many options for every problem, giving a list of choices and alternatives that enable the reader to have an active role in their own health. Each recommended medication is discussed and he talks about taking precaution on some medications which may have side effects or can be dangerous if combined with other drugs. Altshuler also gives nutritional advice and therapy suggestions which are not often available to patients. I recommend this book highly and suggest that you take a look at it to see if it can help you as this book has helped me.

Finally, a book that authoritively blends modern medicine with effective alternative therapies!!! I find the information contained therein accurate and very valuable; it should prove to save many many folks a lot of $$$! The fact that it's written by someone who actually PRACTICES this kind of medicine, as opposed to someone who just does a literature search on med-line and writes a rehash of someone elses work, is a God-send. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to play an active role in their own healthcare and potentially save a small fortune in needless trips to the doctor. Bravo, Dr. Altshuler!

I have found it difficult to navigate through the confusing and often contradictory sea of information on alternative medicine available on the internet, though word of mouth, and on book shelves.

Given the amount of information contained with in this one text, one would think it was inaccessible or filled with jargon that the layperson cannot comprehend; with "Balanced Healing" this is not the case. Dr. Altshuler has given the reader an incredible wealth of information organized in a way that puts real solutions at their very fingertips. Whether you are recovering from an ailment or just turning over a new leaf to a healthier lifestyle, Dr. Larry Altshuler has written the book for you!

I highly recommend this book!

This book is great daily reference in meditation and using herbal remedies effectively and what to expect from them.
From daily values you should expect in multi-vitamins to sleep aids, muscle aches to nausea, and listed in such a user-friendly way.
Plus he combines all of these holistic remedies with conventional practices, a great help before visiting the doctor to engage in more knowledgeable conversations.
This is a valuable book that I would highly recommend for anyone looking to live a truly balanced lifestyle.

I think this book has great ideas! I like how for each ailment/disease it gives you a step or ladder system of what you should try first. Some of the therapies it suggests are not always realistic. One step might suggest trying particular herbs but it usually isn't to specific on the combo of herbs. The books suggests you consult your Traditonal Chinese Medicine consultant. In my opinion this isn't always something you can just run out and do. If TCM doesn't work the next step might be Homeopathic remedies & the book might suggest a few but for more specific advice you must consult a Homeopathic specialist, which once again isn't always realistic.

I do like how it combines non-traditonal forms of medicine with Western medicine. The author doesn't deny that sometimes you may have to be on a more traditonal Western therapy or antibiotics. He includes those in the ladder of healing. If you already know about vitamins and natural healing then some of the stuff in this book is probably review. Ex. cranberry helps for bladder infections

Dr. Larry Altshuler gives a lot of very useful information about both supplements and prescriptions. That balance can be hard to find in an MD.

Thanks, Dr. Altshuler.

Excellent publication. The author is to be congratulated for a Balanced presentation of topics described therein.

Easy to understand with extensive references, that are easily followed and actually ecourages you to apply practically in your desire to overcome various ailments that afflict you.

This book is not as comprehensive as the Encyclopedia of Healing, but for a book that balances 'western' and 'alternative' healings it is a good primer. I would have liked more diagrams and charts for Acupressure or other techniques instead of the lists of where to find practicioners... I like it because I have some serious health stuff that requires a lot of interaction with the 'western' medical community (to my gratitude), but want to supplement and perhaps mediate some of the side effects of the 'western' treatments that keep me alive. I like Dr. Altschuler's tone, very readable and accessible. Glad to have it on my shelf.