What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know: The Truth About Alternative Treatments and What Works [Mass Market Paperback]

Edward Schneider (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Millions of Americans turn to alternative medicine to treat chronic health problems when conventional medicine fails. Yet few doctors-or health store clerks and alternative practitioners-know what treatments are safe and effective. In this book, Edward Schneider, a leading researcher and clinician at the University of Southern California, arms readers with an overview of the latest medical research, then offers a proven formula for the best integrative therapy available to treat the most common health issues. From supplements and herbs, to acupuncture and yoga, What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know outlines the myriad therapies used for:

- sleep problems
- joint, back, and neck pain
- depression and anxiety
- PMS and menopause
- prostate health
- heart disease and cancer
- memory loss, and more

An authoritative yet friendly guide, complete with hard-to-find dosage guidelines and advice on what therapies are just not worth your money, and packed with the type of information readers can take to the health store aisles and to their doctor, this book is essential reading for anyone considering alternative remedies

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Aging boomers eager for answers to health-care questions couldn't ask for a better guide to the best treatments than Schneider, a practicing clinician and dean emeritus of USC's Andrus Gerontology Center. Evaluating the latest medical research on topics ranging from arthritis, depression, menopause and male libido to heart disease, brain function and cancer, Schneider (The Longevity Quotient) outlines his recommendations for a combination of conventional and alternative treatments. Though recent studies have shown that some of the supplements that he and others advocate (saw palmetto for prostate problems and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint pain) can be ineffective, the use of these are, in general, just a small part of Schneider's comprehensive wellness program. All chapters are easy to navigate and well organized, and feature not only useful "to dos" but a number of "how tos" (relaxation response for sleeplessness, for example). When dealing with insomnia, he suggests an exercise program and good "sleep hygiene" (firm mattress, no caffeine) and discusses various nonaddictive prescription drugs (including dosage and side effects). Overall, Schneider's balanced view of integrative therapies and his great fund of practical and medical advice are both reassuring and invigorating. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Edward L. Schneider, M.D., one of the nation's leading experts on aging, and currently dean emeritus in gerontology at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, as well as a practicing clinician, was formerly the deputy director of the National Institutes of Health's Institute on Aging. He has edited eleven books and written more than 180 scholarly articles. His television appearances include 20/20, Good Morning America, 48 Hours, and Larry King Live, and he is often quoted in such publications as Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Avery Trade; 1 edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583332529
• ISBN-13: 978-1583332528
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,505,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best resource I've found, June 23, 2006

By 

Sam Jenkins "Sam Jenkins" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know: The Truth About Alternative Treatments and What Works (Mass Market Paperback)

Many doctors discount treatments that are not "conventional" all together, it's true. But the reality is that health stores are responsible for duping the public as well. Don't think that just because you see something in a health store it's good for you. But on the other hand, so-called "alternative" treatments have a lot to offer people with chronic health problems when used in the right way. This well-researched book cuts through all the clutter with clearly-organized chapters that outline "highly recommended" treatments as well as treatments that you absolutely shouldn't use. And it is by a doctor who is certainly qualified to make these recommendations. It's the most persuasive and digestable guide to alternative medicine out there.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What Doctor Hasn't Told by Schneider, June 26, 2006

By 

Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know: The Truth About Alternative Treatments and What Works (Mass Market Paperback)

The gold standard for Alternative Medicine citations is the
Journal of the Lancet. Although this work lists some important
complementary medicinal protocols I recognize, it's not clear
whether or not conclusions reached on other treatments are valid.
The author mentions the benefits of calcium citrate absorption in
the intestines. Magnesium is cited as a good tonic generally known to benefit musculoskeletal conditions. Ginger and tumeric are cited as classic anti-inflammatory tonics.

Glucosamine/Chondriatin sulfate with or without MSM is cited in the "Arthritic Cures". I've utilized the protocol with some benefit. Capsaicin is well known for arthritic pain alleviation.
Devil Claw is cited as a classic arthritic anti-inflammatory.
The joint complex mixture is Glucosamine at 1500 mg.,
Chondriatin sulfate at 1200 mg. Yoga or rigorous stretching
together with cardio-exercises daily can help with arthritic range of motion issues. Classic joint flareups may be
handled with capsaicin, acupuncture, massage, hot baths,
TENS and avocado/soy. I've utilized some of these protocols
with success in relieving joint pain symptomatology. A strength
of this work is that these protocols are listed. It would be
more helpful if specific scientific studies had been cited.

Most physicians know of these treatments; however, they are
at a loss to cite specific studies. Here is where the author
could build upon this work.

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Mind-body therapies... are a smart supplement to conventional treatment.", June 1, 2006

By 

Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know: The Truth About Alternative Treatments and What Works (Mass Market Paperback)

Many people are afflicted with chronic health problems, neck and back pain, sleeplessness, depression, arthritis, etc., and when conventional medicine cannot help, they are left to sort through a variety of alternative treatments, from acupuncture to chiropractic care, holistic and health store remedies. In this helpful guide, Edward L Schneider, MD, explains the basics of alternative treatments and what works for different conditions, covering a spectrum of specific issues: joint pain, chronic back pain, sleep disorders, PMS, improving prostate health and a proactive approach to preventing heart disease and cancer prevention.

Patients are often caught between physicians who flatly reject alternatives and health food clerks who aren't sufficiently trained to recommend treatments, especially when the patent is already on a prescription drug regimen. Hence a booming market of little understood applications for frustrated patients who have gotten scant relief from conventional medicine are desperate for help. The book is written from a scientific, unbiased viewpoint, the author neither dismissive of alternative therapies nor pandering to pharmaceutical companies' interests; Dr. Schneider simple hopes inform the public. Alternative medicine is here to stay and Dr. Schneider requests that all his patients bring in all their alternative medications so that here can apprise them of the efficacy of such products and treatments, particularly for long term use.

Beginning with basic principles for understanding "complementary or integrative medicine", there are tips for purchasing supplements, a guide to understanding scientific studies and treatment options, the benefits and challenges of each. After that, the chapters address specific health problems, conventional treatments, recommendations for lifestyle changes and means of prevention. The "Discriminating Consumer's Guide" breaks down treatments into four categories: Highly Recommended, Recommended, Acceptable and Do Not Use. In addition, each chapter features "The Complete Prescription", a recommendation of the best combination of conventional and alternative treatments for each specific problem, always keeping the physician informed.

In a user-friendly format, with information specific to each health issue, the prose is uncluttered and straightforward. There are no easy answers, but armed with information, the public can address their problems with a clearer perspective in what has become a cluttered market. Dr. Schneider also notes the patent's attitude and how a positive approach can affect the response to a particular therapy. This is an invaluable guide for anyone with chronic health problems or a desire to prevent illness, filled with helpful material, details on current therapies and a reasonable approach to combining conventional and alternative medicine. Luan Gaines/ 2006.