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Health
practitioners and alternative medicine
Few
traditional (allopathic) doctors are knowledgeable about vitamins,
minerals, nutrition, or herbal medicine. Here are several sites
that help consumers find licensed health care providers—both
traditional and "alternative"—who are familiar with supplements
of various kinds and how to use them. These sites also provide a
wealth of information on new perspectives on health and medicine.
This page also contains links to support groups for a variety of
medical concerns.
Physicians
| Nutritionists
Herbalists | Support
Groups
Physicians
American
Association for Health Freedom (formerly Americal Preventive Medical
Association)
www.healthfreedom.net
Members
of the American
Association for Health Freedom approach health from a
comprehensive perspective, utilizing preventive medical techniques
and less-invasive, more natural methods of patient management.
APMA's website includes three resources for finding a practitioner.
Another website maintains a searchable index for finding
a physician who is a member of AAHF and knowledgable about
nutrition and supplements.
American
Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
www.naturopathic.org
A
licensed naturopathic physician (ND) is educated in the same basic
sciences as an MD but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches
to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing
wellness. The ND curriculum includes clinical nutrition, acupuncture,
homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling.
Website of the American
Association of Naturopathic Physicians includes a searchable
index for finding an ND.
American
Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM)
www.aaom.org
Originally
formed in 1981 as "the unifying force for American acupuncturists
who are committed to ethical, high educational standards,"
the American Association
of Oriental Medicine says its members "are regarded as
the highest qualified practitioners of Oriental medicine in the
United States." The website lists books, schools of Oriental medicine,
and its members by state.
American
College For Advancement In Medicine (ACAM)
www.acam.org
The
American College
for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) was founded in 1973
as a medical society dedicated to educating physicians in the
latest findings and emerging procedures in complementary and alternative
medicine. Site includes a searchable listing of ACAM physicians,
relevant books for sale, and links to other websites.
American
Holistic Medical Association (AHMA)
www.holisticmedicine.org
The
practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative
therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most importantly,
to promote optimal health. This American
Holistic Medical Association website contains a searchable
"doctor finder" to help consumers find local practitioners.
Nutritionists
American
Dietetic Association (ADA)
www.eatright.org/Public/
The
American Dietetic
Association is the nation's largest organization of food
and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting
optimal nutrition, health and well-being. The website includes
a feature that allows the public to search
for a registered dietician (RD) by city, state, or zip
code.
Herbalists
American
Herbalists Guild (AHG)
www.americanherbalistsguild.com
The
American
Herbalists Guild was founded in 1989 as a non-profit,
educational organization to represent the goals and interests
of herbalists. It is the only peer-review organization for professional
herbalists specializing in the medicinal use of plants. AHG membership
consists of professionals, general members (including students)
and benefactors. A related website allows people to search
for an herbalist. 770-751-6021.
See
also American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP),
above.
Support
Groups
See
also American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP),
above.
eSupportGroups.com
eSupportGroups.com
hosts online
discussion and support groups covering a wide variety
of medical health topics—from acne to women's sexual health.
As of October 2003, these 115 groups were just getting underway,
but are likely to attract a wide audience.
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