Natural Remedies versus Prescriptions
By Catharine Walkinshaw

I get lots of questions about using natural supplements rather than prescriptions. There are several things to consider when making this decision: 1. First and most importantly, prescriptions shouldn’t be discontinued without the permission of the doctor or health professional who prescribed the medication. Many prescriptions could be life-threatening if discontinued and most require a careful weaning-off period rather than stopping cold turkey. 2. Secondly, natural remedies (i.e., vitamins, herbs, and other supplements) are generally milder and take longer to act than prescriptions. Other than a few exceptions, natural remedies are not “quick fixes”. They must be taken for weeks before results are seen and the results tend to be more subtle than prescriptions. Thus, a person must have patience. The good news is that because they are milder and more subtle, they tend to have fewer side effects. However, natural supplements can interact with each other and with other prescriptions, so they should be chosen wisely. 3. Last but not least, natural remedies work the best when combined with lifestyle changes such as losing weight, improving diet, managing stress, and adding in or changing exercise. I tell my clients if they want to use natural remedies they need to be willing to do the work. If they simply want a pill to take care of their symptoms, they’re better off staying on their prescription. As with most things in life there are not “black and white” answers to this question. This is an individual decision and should only be done with the permission and guidance of your health professional. However, if you are interested in using natural remedies and improving your lifestyle towards better health, it’s well worth the effort for enhanced longevity and quality of life.

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Reiki (healing touch) therapeutic sessions
Kinesionics therapeutic sessions