Alternative medicine becoming more popular – WSIL TV

CARBONDALE -- State lawmakers are considering a bill to require the regulation of naturopathic doctors in Illinois, the latest sign that alternative medicines are becoming more popular in Illinois.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians defines naturopathy as focusing "on holistic, proactive prevention and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment."

State Sen. Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) introduced the bill to regulate naturopathic medicine. The bill, introduced on Monday, has not been assigned to a committee yet.

The Illinois Association of NaturopathicPhysicians has been pushing for the regulation of naturopathic medicine in the state.

On the group's website it explains, "Licensure will allow NDs to practice as trained, namely to diagnose and treat disease using naturopathic principles. Additionally, licensing naturopathic doctors provides for regulation of the profession and increased public safety in accessing the services of naturopathic doctors."

Regulation will also set education and training standards doctors will have to meet in order to obtain a license.

Naturopathy is part of the growing field of alternative medicine, which includes a broad range of practices, from acupuncture to yoga. Alternative medicine isalso sometimes referred to as "complementary" medicine.

17 years ago, Bonnie Juul felt like she just couldn't go on.

"I was having anxiety attacks. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't exercise without a lot of pain," said Juul.

When Juul's concerns fell on deafear, she turned to alternative medicine and found the answer.

"What it came down to was that I wasn't getting the right nutrition," she said.

Juul, who is a licensed doctor of chiropractic, now runs her own alternative medicine practice, the Natural Health Improvement Center in Carbondale, with a growing list of patients.

"I think it's because people are tired of not feeling well and they're tired of taking medications," said Juul. "Medications definitely have their place, but people also want to start taking control of their own health."

Federal health officials say one in three Americans use some form of alternative medicine, spending $30 billiona year.

When her massage therapy job became too physically taxing, Lisa Dover turned to another form of alternative medicine: yoga.

Dover said it not only made her stronger, but feel better.

"It helps us calm that mind-chatter that tends to happen and helps us to relax," said Dover, who is now a certified yoga instructor at one | o | one yoga.

But unlike yoga, some forms of alternative medicine are controversial, like medical marijuana.

Even so, alternative medicine's popularity is not likely to decline any time soon, especially since so many people swear it works.

Go here to read the rest:

Alternative medicine becoming more popular - WSIL TV