Expand Your Options
Alternative Medicine is a Growing Choice

By Janet Lunder Hanafin

Most of us grew up going to THE doctor. He or, very unlikely, she probably treated the whole family, and only in very dire situations were we sent off to specialists. Now, however, medical doctors, including those who specialize in various parts of the body or distinct illnesses, are just part of the spectrum of health care.

Almost any business district in a city reveals storefront offices for chiropractors, Oriental medicine practitioners, massage therapists, and wellness centers. In the past two decades, these disciplines have become an accepted part of health care and can complement the expertise one gets from doctors who practice traditional Western medicine. Particularly for those over 50, alternative practices, including chiropractic, massage and acupuncture, can alleviate stiffness, soreness and pain and help keep our bodies functioning well.

Chiropractors can be thought of as the biomechanical specialists of the medical world. The nervous system works through the spinal column, and even tiny subluxations or misalignments of the spine affect the nerves that emerge from the spine at that point. In turn, the muscles and organs controlled by those nerves are affected. Chiropractors manipulate the spine to keep the nerves working properly.

“As people get older, the sins of their youth creep up on them and they get sore and stiff,” said Dr. Susan Kent, a St. Paul chiropractor. “A chiropractor can keep things moving and straightened out so a person is able to do daily activities.”

Since she began practicing twenty years ago, “chiropractic care has come out of the closet,” Kent said. “It used to be ’secret,’” and patients hesitated to tell their MDs that they were seeing a chiropractor. But patients have found out that chiropractic works, and as they have become better advocates for their own health care, they have shared their experiences with their medical doctors, who have, as a result, become more accepting.
“We have almost always used our chiropractor in addition to our medical doctor, with both fully aware that we were seeing and consulting with the other,” said Sara Birkland, a mother of three and director of music at a St. Paul church. “Both have always been supportive of this, if not always in agreement on diagnosis or treatment.”
Chiropractors do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medications, but many of the annoying conditions of aging–insomnia and intestinal dysfunction, for example– can be improved by chiropractic care. Stiff joints, sometimes the beginning of arthritis, are a common complaint of the mid-life crowd. While chiropractic can’t cure arthritis, it can help to keep patients reasonably supple and make them feel more agile and peppy.

Medical doctors and chiropractors are increasingly communicating with each other for the well-being of their patients. If a patient seeks treatment for back pain, Kent begins with conservative manipulation, but if the patient doesn’t get better or respond as expected, she does not hesitate to refer to a medical doctor. For painful conditions such as a herniated disc or serious arthritis, Kent sends her patients to a medical doctor for pain medication. If she finds neurological deficits, she recommends that patients have imaging done to diagnose the problem. And increasingly, she said, medical doctors refer their patients to chiropractors for treatment.

Chiropractors frequently have more extensive education in nutrition than medical doctors. “People talk to us about things that aren’t back related, such as food sensitivities,” Kent said. “I wouldn’t treat a patient for irritable bowel syndrome, but I might make recommendations on things that could help him manage the
condition better.”

“We have found it interesting [that] ’traditional’ prescriptions are very easy to take and finish, although not always with long-term results. The lifestyle changes advocated by our chiropractor are not easily attained, although they have proven to have much more effective long-term results, both physically and emotionally,” said Birkland.

We also have found that we have managed to use prescription drugs less frequently when we’ve seen our chiropractor. We are not [opposed to] antibiotics, but have had to utilize them less after seeing our chiropractor.”

Older patients may be hesitant to consult a chiropractor because they fear the “snap ’em and crack ’em” style of adjustment that was common years ago. There are gentle ways of adjusting, Kent said, and patients should interview a prospective chiropractor before making an appointment to see if his or her style fits their needs.
Kent urges her patients to get their backs checked routinely, just like they do their teeth. “You get your teeth cleaned every six months, but you don’t expect that cleaning to last forever,” she said, “We aren’t living in a good situation for our backs any more. People spend lots of time sitting,” so a check-up every six months will help to keep your back in good shape.

Acupuncture, a Chinese healing art that originated more than 2000 years ago, has “moved from the fringe to the mainstream,” over the last 25 years, said Sarah Larson, a licensed acupuncturist at Langford Chiropractic Clinic in St. Paul. “I think it’s been expanding because people are discovering that it works.” A number of chiropractors as well as medical doctors have studied acupuncture and incorporated it into their practices.
The procedure, which uses very thin needles strategically placed along the body’s energy pathways, called meridians, can alleviate pain and also effectively treat conditions including insomnia, anxiety, digestive disorders, sexual dysfunction and menopausal issues such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Along with herbal remedies, acupuncture can be used to lessen side-effects of traditional western or allopathic medicine, such as post-operative pain or nausea brought on by chemotherapy.

Larson, who has a master’s degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, said she often sees patients who have been to multiple doctors, including specialists, and have complaints that have not been treated effectively. Both medical doctors and chiropractors refer patients to her.

Some conditions are harder to treat than others. “Arthritis pain can occasionally be difficult to treat because the condition doesn’t go away,” Larson said. “Bone deformity and lack of cartilage can’t be repaired by acupuncture, but some bony deformity can be moderated with Chinese herbal formulas.”

Larson often recommends Chinese herbs, particularly for patients who are reluctant to take prescription medication. However, she said, “I never recommend that my clients come off of their medicines. I strongly encourage them to be in regular communication with their general practitioner or specialist, and to take charge of their health care.”

If she has questions, Larson does not hesitate to get in touch with a patient’s medical doctor. “Most MDs are fairly trusting of what I am doing,” she said.

Athletes have known for years about the benefits of therapeutic massage after a hard game or work out, but massage and “bodywork,” as it is sometimes called, is another healing art that has moved into the mainstream. Several techniques or styles of massage deal with a number of physical issues.

Massage is often promoted for relaxation, stress relief and alleviating muscle tension and soreness. According to licensed massage therapist Sarah Snider, who works at 3 Bears Chiropractic and Wellness in Minneapolis, massage encourages blood flow throughout the body and boosts immunity by helping to drain the lymph system. It also promotes production of the “feel good” hormones, serotonin and dopamine, she said.
“People are becoming more athletic and health conscious and more aware of the need to exercise and take care of their body,” Snider said. “Massage is an important part of that.”

For someone trying a first massage, Swedish massage is a good place to start. Long, smooth strokes promote blood flow toward the heart which stimulates circulation and encourages full body relaxation.
But massage is not always intended to be a pleasant, relaxing experience. Working on problem areas, such as tight muscles which cause stress on joints or headaches caused by tension in shoulder and back muscles, may require several sessions of trigger point massage therapy to loosen the tightness and ultimately alleviate pain. A few moments of discomfort on a massage table in the hands of a trained therapist are, however, likely to pay big dividends in the relief of both acute and chronic muscular pain.

Finding a chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist can be confusing and time consuming. Many alternative practitioners do not need licensure, certification or formal training but, Larson said, “that doesn’t mean that they’re not talented, they’re just not screened as closely.”

Someone seeking alternative treatment should ask for recommendations or referrals from friends, family, or even a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. Larson recommends doing some research on the type of therapy, and then asking a prospective practitioner for a complimentary consultation.

Beware of the “hard sell,” she said. “A consumer should feel comfortable with their practitioner, especially if that person is going to put needles in them.”
Communicating with your practitioner is very important, Snider said. Especially before a first session, explain to the therapist what your complaints and expectations are. “Tell her what you want, what your body feels like,” she said.

Chiropractors must be licensed by the state in which they practice as well as certified nationally, Kent said. In Minnesota, licensure for massage therapists varies from one municipality to another, and practitioners must be licensed for each city in which they work. Acupuncturists who are not already medical doctors or chiropractors must be licensed by the state to work in Minnesota and will have the initials L.Ac. after their names.

Medicare and most major insurance policies now cover at least some chiropractic care. When you call to make an appointment, Kent said, be sure to ask about insurance benefits. Acupuncture and massage therapy are occasionally covered, but generally have strict limits on ailments to be treated, the number of visits allowed, and high co-payments. Check your policy carefully and call your insurance provider to find out what is and is not included.

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