Commenting on Bridging the Medicine Gap

I recently read an article titled Hansen: Bridging the medicine gap, about Linda West-Conforti and her efforts to: “empower clients to take charge of their own health care” (and to help other individuals understand that there is a more natural approach to health). West-Conforti is a nurse, has been in the healthcare field for over 30 years, and feels that there are shortcomings to exclusively using Western medicine.

Many recognized authorities such as Deepak Chopra, MD would agree, and in an article expresses support for the idea that there is more to health than western medicine is addressing. He indicates that the elements of wisdom and science, tradition and research, mind and body, should be combined to enhance treatment alternatives.

Yet, many ask what these alternatives include.

For years the public has been using a number of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) but haven’t labeled them as such. More recently, researchers and others have been labeling the different alternatives.

In a report from the NIH listing the 10 most common complementary and alternative medicine therapies adults use, prayer was at the top.

It appears that the public’s interest in these alternative medicines is opening the door to a broader view as to what provides the best health care for individuals.

Where is this headed? Certainly toward a client-focused maintenance of health. As many are suggesting, thought is so important, especially religious thought - and its effects on all aspects of the body is a burgeoning field of study. I’m grateful for personally experiencing these effects when I was freed of pain after applying prayer (my alternative medicine of choice). I had been struggling to resolve my feelings about a decision I'd made at work, which caused me emotional stress and immobilizing pain, and prayer healed me. Many are finding this client-focused maintenance is less expensive and more effective than drug-based medicine.

I would agree with West-Conforti’s efforts that to raise the awareness of alternative medicine, especially prayer, will help clients take charge of their own health care.

Don Ingwerson is the media and legislative advocate for Christian Science in Southern California