Non westen traditional medical treatment?

[Kate70]

Hello All

Has anyone explored non western trearments for any MH issues? Just wandering around both forums & pondering the questions about Traditional Chinese Medical practice vs Western Medicine; Homeopathy; Kinesiology; extending to exercise & diet therapies.
Who has tried what, and any tips?
The discussion over in the Lived Experience forum about diagnosis being helpful or unhelpful is an interesting one in this context.
Would love feedback
Thanks

[Former-Member]

Hi @Kate70

Thanks for posting. Some people who live with mental health concerns or mental illness do opt explore alternative medicines or eastern treatment options. Have you had the opportunity to try of these things out so far? If so, how did you find it? I know @AllAboutMissy , @ivana  and  @INSIDEOUT have shared some of their experiences with non-western treatments in a previous thread which you can read here. I’m wondering if they can provide any further insights around their own experience in this area? Or for anyone else who has explored this area, feel free to jump in and share your thoughts.

Before we begin our discussions, I just want to flag the Community Guidelines around talking about medication and treatment. We just ask that people refrain from making recommendations of specific homoeopathy related medications and dosages (as with any medication). The main reason for this is we don't want people to make decisions about their medications without consultation with a doctor, as different medications can impact people differently. Likewise, while one individual may find a particular treatment to be personally beneficial, it is important to acknowledge that results can vary from person to person. What one person may find helpful or unhelpful, may not be so for another. In saying that, we nonetheless encourage people to share their unique experiences.

Thanks again for sharing Kate70. Hopefully you can find something that works well for you.

All the best,
Mosaic.

[AllAboutMissy]

Hi @Kate70 this is a great question and something that I am really passionate about.

You can actually read about my journey with Bipolar on the SANE Blog, and how I now manage my illness using integrative medicine - a combination of nutrition, exercise, creative therapy, supplements and emergency medication.

I've also had my story published in an international book called The Book of Amazing People.

After over 6 years of taking meds, I ended up with blood toxicity and was hospitalised. 9 months later I'm still med free and never felt better.

Everyone is different so using holistic methods of treatment may not be suitable, however for me, taking this approach in treatment has saved my life.

Writing and fashion styling has been crucial as my creative outlet as has making massive changes in my lifestyle.

 I finally have a life I love. It's been challenging but having to detox was the best thing I've ever done.

[Appleblossom]

I have always been into the alternative/integrative side of medicine .. but not had a big wallet to spend on it... so on a shoestring ...which encourages balance ..not racing after next new health food or pill.

Eat lots of legumes, greens, quinoa etc

Massage, Acupressure, Meditation and Yoga since early 1980s.  Tai Chi since 1990s. Naturopaths for children ... a little.

Prefer osteopaths to chiropractors ... but glad the chiros reiterated about drinking water ... why dont GPs do that?

Had few sessions of acupuncture and Chinese Herbals ... cant say it really helped I was absolutley past it by then .. needed stronger stuff.

not into Kinesiology ... as I see that as a rip off re generalisations and muscle tension ... but paid for 2 sessions and cousin had a controlling Kinesiologist for a boyfriend ...

I definitely credit alternative medicine as saving my life ... western medicine just didnt have the outlook, subtlety or whole person approach.  I am hoping GPs are getting better and there isnt a wall between different health practitioners.

Yay for the Integrative Medicine site. 

Yet what to do when there are complex issues and more than one person to worry about???

@AllAboutMissy You are lucky to have had the support and been able to gain a profile, although I am sure you worked hard for it too.

Sorry re edit .. too many typos and did not finish one thought ... sentence.

 .. but think it is fixed now.

[Francis]

As a registered naturopath and carer of a son with a mental illness I would advise anyone seeking alternative and complementary medicine to only seek assistance from practioners that are registered at an association and have a decent knowledge and understanding of mental health issues and medications used to treat. Ask them if you can claim on a private health insurance fund for their medical services as if you cant its a sign that they do not have the minimum professional qualifications to practice in Australia as a naturopath, chinese herbalist or nutritionist. The other point I cant stress enough is that a good practioner should never ask a patient to stop or alter any medication without talking to their mental health practioner. The same applies for starting ANY new medication regardless of whether it is natural or not as there are many supplements that have negative interactions with medications. I complement my sons mental health care inconjunction with his medical practioner with nutritional supplements (approved to not interact with his meds) and encourage good eating habits, healthy sleep routines and try and encourage him to exercise and get some sunshine. I had the supplements approved from his psychiatrist when he was hospitalised and always check if anything changes.
Unfortunately there are people out there whom are not qualified and have caused more harm than good. I myself have paid my university fees to get a bachelor degree, have registered with an association, have insurance, keep up to date with the latest EVIDENCE BASED MEDICAL practices and charge my patients fees based on my associations recommendations which is not that different from a visit to your local GP.
These are the things you MUST ensure a good practioner can answer when considering using them INCONJUNCTION with a medical practitioner.

[NikNik]

Great tips @Francis Thank you so much!

[Attahua]

Hi, my partner was diagnosed with schizoeffective disorder 26 years ago, he went 13 years without a hospital visit but since moving to SA from VIC he then went every one to two years in a psych ward following an episode.......HOWEVER in the past two years he has not been hospitalised and has worked and been a family man very successfully.....he has achieved this by doing some research... He had a blood test for histamine levels and discovered that 70% of people with schizophrenia have low histamine levels and 20% have high histamine levels. His histamine level was in the high bracket and whenever he became unwell previously it was always in spring time..... so what he did was go on a low histamine diet as well as continue to take the medication that suited his histamine level