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

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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.

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.

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.

I appreciate Dr. Schneiders efforts, however, it doesn't appear that his knowledge of "alternative therapies" is accurate or complete. There is a lot of research that supports many of the therapies he says do not work. How many alternative therapies/organizations apply for research grants and are denied? Especially compared to pharmaceutical companies? Do the research yourself or go to online to websites like www.mercola.com for more accurate and complete information. Bottom line: We need more research into alternative therapies to determine their effectiveness. Finally, he states to be careful about chiropractic and especially of those chiropractors recommending long term care. Several research articles support and definitively show the benefits of chiropractic care for two years compared to two months. The test subjects who had two years showed 100% return to normal physiological states. Go to JVSR.com for information about this landmark study. My opinion: continue to read, but please THINK for yourself and remember that many of the books out there are the author's opinion and not fact.

If you want a one-stop shopping guide to alternative treatments which covers them all without the weight of some hefty treatises, choose What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You: organized by condition, it covers all nontraditional alternatives to chronic health issues, and comes from a doctor who is a leading researcher and clinician, explaining the latest studies and results. Whether you have back pain, arthritis, or anxiety - this covers both physical and mental conditions and uses very easy language to contrast a range of alternative treatments - and their pros and cons.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

May I first applaud Dr. Schneider in seeing the value of alternative treatments as opposed to traditional medicine. However Dr. Schneider as with most Md's is not a good source of information on alternative forms of treatment. Md's are lucky in their 1000+ hours of education to get one 1/2 of a class on nutrition and alternative therapies. Therefore their knowledge base is close to nil. Most of the stuff he lists is mainstream knowledge. His research is not complete and most of it requires you to talk to your MD first who in turn would very unlikely recommend anything natural. However, because Americans have a love affair with their Md's they spend 244 BILLION a year on drugs. This in turn has made Dr. Schneider's profession one of the top five leading causes of death in the nation (JAMA). Because of this Md's who are seeing a shift away from traditional medical care can capitalize immensely on this shift in care by billing themselves as experts. I'd recommend someone who has MANY years of experience in nutrition and alternative therapy. Nutritionists, Naturopathic Physicians, Ayruvedic Physicians, Doctors of Chiropractic and Osteopathic Physicians are much better sources of info. Think about it.