 | Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, Second Edition |
Source: Bought from the Mayo website
Book Description from Goodreads:
The Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine is an illustrated, accessible guide to understanding what works and what doesn't in the world of complementary and alternative medicine, and how to put this information to use in your everyday life.
From acupuncture to yoga, Echinacea to St. John's wort, and meditation to healing touch, Mayo Clinic provides answers to the most pressing questions people have about the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine, and when it's appropriate to use natural remedies in place of or in conjunction with traditional medicine. This guide also offers practical advice for treating common ailments and incorporating alternative treatments into your - and your family's - life.
My Review:
The Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine discusses various forms of alternative medicine and reveals what the research actually shows about it's effectiveness for various uses.
The first part of this book talked about how to use this book. Not surprisingly, the doctors in this book recommended that you let your doctors know what alternative medicines you're using and that you use alternative medicine along with conventional medicine rather than as a replacement for it. They also went over the basics of accessing your health and basic changes you can make to get healthier (exercise, eat good foods, relax, etc.).
The second part talked about various type of alternative medicine: what each claims to do, what the research has shown it does and doesn't do, and how safe it is. This section covered various herbs, hormones, vitamins, and minerals, as well as biofeedback, guided imagery, hypnosis, meditation, muscle relaxation, music therapy, pilates, relaxed breathing, spirituality and prayer, tai chi, yoga, acupuncture, healing touch, magnetic therapy, reiki, massage, reflexology, Rolfing, spinal manipulation, and more.
The last part focused on 20 common conditions and what you can do for them (both conventional and alternative approaches). These conditions were arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, common cold, coronary artery disease, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, hay fever, headache, high blood pressure, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, memory problems, menopause symptoms, overweight, PMS, sexual problems, stress and anxiety, and vaginal yeast infections. It also covered how to find a qualified practitioner (like for acupuncture or massage).
The book had many full-color photographs. Overall, I'm glad I read this book and found its information very interesting. However, be warned that they frequently say, "more research is needed." It is needed. But it's frustrating for those who want answers right now.
If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.
Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Amazon's Look Inside.
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