The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies (PDR Family Guides) [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Physicians' Desk Reference (Author)

Book Description

Series: PDR Family Guides | Publication Date: April 27, 1999

Disappointed with conventional medical treatment? Tired of the run-around from managed care? Take advantage of all your options--and reap the rewards of better health--with this unique consumer's guide to affordable, effective health care alternatives.

From age-old secrets of harmony, balance, and well-being to the very latest nutritional discoveries, you'll find all the alternatives thoroughly discussed in this one, indispensable home handbook. Now you can take advantage of the best that the healing arts offer--without falling victim to rip-offs and fraud. You'll learn:
Which widely available herbs, vitamins, and minerals act like potent prescription medications
How certain natural remedies interact with conventional drugs
Self-help techniques that stave off--and even reverse--chronic problems and disease
Which claims are realistic--and which are false
How to locate and choose a qualified practitioner
The best ways to protect yourself from incompetents, charlatans, and quacks

Here are all the latest findings on:

Acupuncture and Acupressure  ¸  Aromatherapy  ¸  Ayurvedic Medicine

Biofeedback  ¸  Biological Therapies  ¸  Chiropractic Adjustment

Detoxification  ¸  Energy Medicine  ¸  Environmental Medicine  ¸  Homeopathy

Hypnosis  ¸  Light Therapy  ¸  Massage  ¸  Meditation

Mind/Body Medicine  ¸  Naturopathic Medicine  ¸  Orthomolecular Medicine

Tai Chi and Qigong  ¸  Yoga

This impartial guide, from PDR®, America's most trusted drug reference, sifts out the help from the hype, and points you to new and "rediscovered" treatments that really work.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The experts go alternative.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"As individuals increasingly empower themselves in a variety of areas in our society, so too are they requiring more information and input into their own medical care decisions. . . . A great resource for the patient in his or her dialogue with the physician."
--JOSEPH R. CRUSE, MD
   Founding Medical Director
   The Betty Ford Center

"An excellent supplement to the education that should occur during every health visit . . . allows people to find answers when and where they need them--any time of the day or night in their own home."
--BARBARA P. YAWN, MD, MS
   Associate Professor of Clinical Family Medicine
   And Community Health, University of Minnesota --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (April 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 060980071X
• ISBN-13: 978-0609800713
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,809,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive overview of alternative therapies, January 10, 2000

By 

Brian (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies (PDR Family Guides) (Paperback)

One of the biggest problems encountered in approaching different medical strategies is sorting out the claims of the various schools. This volume presents a clear and well worded guide to a wide variety of medical issues, comparing the different available techniques. It is not perfect. In a volume of this size, judgemental claims are made, and one can disagree with the judgement made. Claims are made, without the reasoning behind them. To be honest, there is not enough space in a volume of this size for a more comprehensive evaluation, so you will have to read around the subject of interest. Having said that, despite room for disagreement, I found the information was accurate, comprehensive and understandable. If you want a handy, one-volume reference in clear format, this is the book for you. I liked the broad approach, but did not appreciate the "school medicine" assessment at the end of the reviews, although the balance was well met. I am recommending this book to my friends.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fair to Both Sides, October 24, 2002

By 

Harriet Hall (Puyallup, Wa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines & Healing Therapies (Pdr Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies) (Mass Market Paperback)

An excellent overview of a controversial subject. Nothing in it should seriously offend either proponents of scientific medicine or proponents of alternative medicine. It is a good quick reference to most of the herbs and therapies in use today. Its presentation is balanced; giving pros, cons, possible side effects, dosages, etc. It clearly states which claims are based on proof, and which claims are not generally accepted. Particularly valuable is its discussion of how to choose what is best for you without getting scammed.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some good info, but scattered with medical babble, July 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies (PDR Family Guides) (Paperback)

I sold this one... Had some good info, but also more info from those who have no understanding of the words "Natural Medicine."

If you want to know what the medical community is up to, and read thier propoganda about the natural health field, then it's a fair book to read, if you're loking for some really good alternative health information, you'd do much better to find an alternative source!