Other Professionals Who Address Chronic Illness

Updated 7/27/08

Certain types of professionals, by training or experience, may better understand that chronic illnesses affect the body differently from acute illnesses. They are listed here in order of accessibility, not competence.

1. Physicians who have realized that the training they received in medical school won’t work very well for chronic illnesses. The tales of some physicians who have questioned the status quo have become legends. These pioneers were forced to think outside the box to meet crises that affected them, their family and/or their patients. Experience is often the best teacher.

2. Board certified holistic medicine specialists. The American Medical Association now recognizes professionals in this area. Though few in number, their ranks and influence are growing. Visit the site of the American Board of Holistic Medicine for more information.

3. Integrative medicine research centers. Integrative medicine combines treatments from mainstream medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. These treatments are backed by high-quality evidence of safety and effectiveness. The Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine has more than 35 members throughout the United States and Canada.

4. Schools that teach complementary and alternative medicine. Seventeen medical programs and two nursing programs recently completed studies to develop a curriculum for including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) training in doctor of medicine (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO) and nursing programs nationwide. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine also received a grant, but its work was interrupted by Hurricane Katrina. The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) financed these studies.

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) received a grant to fund studies at six of the schools. AMSA’s Report on Educational Development for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (EDCAM) included the following statement:

. . . Because of the widespread use of CAM by patients, and the growing scientific evidence that certain CAM therapies are more effective than orthodox alternatives, CAM education must be integrated into medical education in allopathic and osteopathic schools in the near future. . . .

5. Naturopathic Doctors (NDs). NDs treat disease with special diets, herbs, vitamins, massage, etc., to assist the natural healing process. In a departure from traditional naturopathic practice, NDs also perform surgery and prescribe medication. They are licensed to practice as primary care physicians in 14 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

6. Other types of licensed professionals. Acupuncturists and chiropractors often combine other natural therapies to provide relief for chronic ailments.

7. Various types of unlicensed practitioners. Traditional naturopaths, homeopaths and others often recognize underlying conditions that lead to chronic illness, which can give you valuable clues for further research.

Exercise caution when you use their services. The laws vary from state to state. Some allow unregulated practice, some require registration or certification and some ban their practice altogether.

Do your research! Read what’s on the Internet, inquire at a health food store and check with your state about licensing laws. In recent years state and federal agencies have become stricter with even licensed alternative practitioners and their clients.

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From Unmasking a Diagnosis: How to Find Help for a Confusing Illness Without Filing for Bankruptcy, the third edition of the book formerly titled Secrets of Finding a Diagnosis Unmasked and Secrets of Getting a Diagnosis Unmasked

Unmasking a Diagnosis, by Jacqueline L. Jones, is available now as a paperback for $8 and as a download for $6 from Lulu.com.

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