Other Professionals Who Address Chronic Illness
May 13, 2008 by Jacqueline L. Jones · Leave a Comment
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.
Government Can Afford Natural Care for All
January 15, 2008 by Jacqueline L. Jones · Leave a Comment
by Jacqueline L. Jones
The evidence is clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease account for more than 75% of the nation’s $1.4 trillion in medical care costs each year. That figure could jump 42 percent by 2023, according to an Oct. 2007 report by the Milken Institute, a think tank in Santa Monica, Calif.
As the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), and practitioners in emerging and ancient disciplines report positive results in fighting these illnesses, the path to reducing health care costs seems clear. Equal access to disease prevention services and effective natural treatments could reduce costs for all.
Order Tests Directly from Labs
December 18, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · Leave a Comment
Updated 7/27/08
Many people with chronic illnesses have sought answers through Internet research. During that research, they may have stumbled upon the right answers, but faced resistance from primary care providers unwilling to order the necessary tests.
If you have an idea of what may be ailing you, you have the right to order tests directly from a specialty laboratory. Some insurance companies pay 100% for these services.
Chronic Illness Care Shop has Moved
October 30, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · 3 Comments
by Jacqueline L. Jones
The Chronic Illness Care Division of the Unmasked Communications™ Store has moved. The new shop features resources on the treatment and prevention of a variety of autoimmune diseases, alzheimer’s disease, other disorders, and several other topics. Visit the shop today to start your journey toward improved health.
Tea Tree Oil Cures Antibiotic Resistant Staph
October 18, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · 1 Comment
When I met my ex-husband, Harry*, he suffered from a staph infection in all his knuckles that had resisted antibiotic treatment. The multi-level company I represented at the time featured a variety of products containing tea tree oil. Harry used the company’s lotion on his hands, and his knuckles healed completely within a few days.
Store Features Tools to Help with Chronic Illness
October 15, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · 1 Comment
A variety of resources on the treatment and prevention of chronic illness are now available at the Chronic Illness Care Shop. The store features books on coping with different illnesses and research about the effects of those illnesses as well complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, nutrition plans, and other items. Topics include autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, applying for disability, and health policy, with more available and more to come.
Secrets Now Available in Paperback and eBook
September 30, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · 3 Comments
“In a perfect world, people go to their doctor for tests then the doctors tell them what is wrong and how the problems may be cured or treated, and health insurance pays the costs. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. Jacqueline Jones has provided us with a specific list of how to take control of our own health care. ” - Connie Sarros, Author
Click here to learn more about Secrets of Getting a Diagnosis Unmasked.
Find Affordable Answers For Your Unresolved Health Issues
September 24, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · 3 Comments
Patients often give up on getting diagnosed and treated for verifiable illnesses after wasting several years and thousands of dollars searching for answers. They resort to unsupervised self-treatment, with mixed results, or ignore their problems until a crisis develops.
Book Reveals Secrets of Getting a Diagnosis
September 24, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · 2 Comments
By Jacqueline L. Jones
You’re tired. You’re in pain. You’re sick of being misunderstood. You need some answers, but where do you start?
How many doctors have dismissed your concerns? How many have prescribed medication for symptoms without finding the underlying cause?
And how will you pay for help if you find it? You may not be able to afford medical insurance because of the high premiums. If you do have medical insurance, the deductible or co-pays may be doing you in.
After tolerating more than 20 years of disabling fatigue and pain, I have regained enough health to pursue this dream of writing a book to help you and your loved ones save time, money and anguish in getting help. Regaining my health means that I can help to care for an aging parent, something else I couldn’t have done in the recent past. So not only have I been the one with a chronic illness, I am also the caregiver of someone with a chronic illness, putting me in the unique position of understanding the patient’s and the caregiver’s struggles.
AMSA Develops CAM Curriculum for U.S. Medical Schools
August 29, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones · 4 Comments
By Jacqueline L. Jones
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Foundation has just ended a pilot study designed to develop a curriculum for including complementary/ alternative medicine (CAM) training in MD and DO programs nationwide. Read more
