LIFESTYLE
 What
image comes to mind when I say “alternative healing”?
For proponents of conventional medicine, I’m willing
to bet it isn’t a doctor in a sterile white lab coat,
holding a stethoscope and a syringe; it’s probably more
along the lines of a granola-eating, Birkenstock-wearing,
incense burning free spirit (with some sort of gong, maybe,
or wind chimes tinkling in the background). Sure, it’s
a stereotype, but what can be expected?
For decades, people have
seen conventional and alternative health care as mutually
exclusive—yin and yang. In the past few years, however,
alternative and conventional principles and therapies are
integrating with increasing frequency, offering patients the
best of both worlds—and more people are rethinking their
opinions of alternative therapies.
The difference between
conventional (allopathic) and alternative (holistic) medicine
can be boiled down to their respective definitions of one
word: health. Conventional medicine defines health as simply
an absence of disease. Holistic medicine defines health as
“a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being”
(which concurs with the definition used by the World Health
Organization, or WHO). It is this difference in definition
that determines diagnoses and treatments. While users of allopathic
medicine only seek treatment when they get sick, those who
use holistic medicine focus more on maintaining natural health
and preventing illness.
 Holistic
healing focuses on a balance of all body systems—physical,
mental, and emotional—and purports that these aspects
are interrelated (a principle called holism, from a Greek
word meaning “all, entire, total”). It’s
a practice that requires self-discipline and doesn’t
always allow the near-instant gratification we get from swallowing
a few capsules, but according to experts, it is much more
beneficial in the long run than using conventional medicine
alone.
“I’ve seen many
of my REALTOR® patients tempted to reach for
what I would call the ‘quick fix’… that
is, when their back hurts, pop a pill. When their arthritis
flares up, pop a pill,” says Devin Luzod, DC, a chiropractor
with Spinal Care of Nevada (and practitioner of the NUCCA
Chiropractic Treatment© and other therapies
in line with the holistic philosophy). “While taking
medications works well for the short term, they can become
addictive, have side-effects… or cover up the real cause
of the symptom until it simply grows worse. Like hanging room
fresheners in a house with mold; it kind of covers things
up for now, but will cost the owner dearly down the road.”
Conversely, using holistic treatments to get to the root of
the problem (or prevent it in the first place) takes care
of the cause, making pill-popping unnecessary.
 Real
Estate agents especially should pay close attention to these
warnings, and focus on more than the “quick fix.”
Those in the Real Estate industry have little time to do anything
not work-related, much less take a sick day (or three). But
when you’re consumed with catering to others, it’s
easy to overlook your own fundamental needs, taking your health
for granted until it’s gone. Alternative therapies can
help stave off illness so sick days won’t be as much
of a concern. But if you can’t remember to have your
car aligned, let alone your chakras, don’t worry; practicing
basic preventive medicine doesn’t necessarily have to
involve unfamiliar or unconventional therapies, it is simply
a matter of making healthier choices.
Take nutrition, for example. A poor diet
can cause a whole host of health problems, starting with fatigue—a
symptom which none of us need more of. And today’s super-charged
caffeine drinks are a perfect example of a temporary remedy
that does nothing to solve the underlying issue.
“People are getting
a lot of toxic chemicals from the foods they eat,” says
Monette Toverada, Independent Distributor with ForeverGreen,
a natural food and supplement company. She suggests checking
labels before you buy, and avoiding things such as aspartame,
caffeine and hydrogenated oils.
Try to steer clear of
fast food, but if you find yourself in a drive-through, order
a salad or a chicken sandwich (sans breading, naturally) rather
than a burger and fries. No matter what you’re eating,
limit your distractions; even if you’re eating in the
car, park it somewhere, turn off the radio, and focus on chewing
thoroughly. And, says Monette, drink water 20 minutes before
and 20 minutes after a meal—not during, because it can
slow digestion. The most common excuse for a less-than-ideal
diet is a lack of time. “When on the go, diet gets tricky,
so planning ahead is a must,” says Devin. “Carry
a cooler in your car with drinks for your client, but also
snacks for you.” Monette suggests taking a few minutes
to cut up enough fresh fruit and veggies for a week’s
supply of snacks, then storing them in Ziploc bags so they’re
ready to grab as you head out the door.
 Another
important component of health, say both Devin and Monette,
is nutritional supplementation. Devin suggests slowing down
the aging process (sped up by stress, which those on the go
have in abundance) by taking a good multivitamin and antioxidant.
“Look for ‘bio-available’ on the label,
meaning it’s more usable by the body,” he advises.
Monette swears by FrequenSea, a whole food supplement containing
a proprietary blend of nourishing ingredients from the ocean.
And for sleep disturbances, Devin recommends taking valerian
or melatonin supplements, both available over the counter.
If at all possible, simplify
your life and decrease your stress level by cutting down on
your activities. Make relaxation and reflection a priority.
Designate a space that is yours, keep it free of clutter (which
reminds you of things that need to be done), and go there
for a few minutes a day to do your favorite quiet activity;
write in a journal, read a book, meditate, pray, stretch—the
possibilities are endless, as long as it’s a stress-free
pastime. (And leave your iPhone somewhere else!)
If you can’t seem
to find a good place to get away, the solution is simple,
says Monette: book yourself regular massage appointments.
You’ll be forced to relax for an hour! Devin is also
an advocate of massage. “It’s a great non-invasive
means of solving pain, stress and improving energy,”
he says.
Acupuncture is another
alternative method for pain relief (and relief of other symptoms
as well) recommended by Devin; it doesn’t cause any
unpleasant reactions, and has been proven effective for most
people. But before you go that route, be sure to check whether
your acupuncturist is licensed; you can find out that information,
and get referrals, by contacting the Nevada State Board of
Oriental Medicine (702-837-8921 or http://oriental_medicine.state.nv.us/index.htm).
 Even
though most insurance policies don’t cover holistic
therapies, hospitals across the country are opening alternative
treatment centers. In 2006, one in four hospitals offered
some sort of alternative therapy—a huge jump from a
survey taken in 1998, when just 8 percent of hospitals integrated
both types of medicine. According to the latest survey by
the American Hospital Association, the top six alternative
therapies offered are massage therapy; tai chi, yoga, or chi
gong; relaxation training; acupuncture; guided imagery; and
therapeutic touch. And surprise! These therapies are more
common in the Midwest than on the West coast (and least common
in the South).
You don’t have to
twist yourself into a pretzel and chant, or have warm sesame
oil dripped onto your forehead (although I hear that practice,
called Shirodhara, can be very relaxing) to successfully integrate
alternative therapies into a lifestyle of conventional medicine.
All it takes are a few simple changes and a little self-discipline—and
perhaps a good masseuse.
To contact the experts
consulted for this article:
Devin Luzod, DC
8910 W. Tropicana, Suite 6
702.944.HOPE (4673)
www.drdevin.com
Monette Toverada
www.seacretandmore.com
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