Alternative medicine disciplines
There are several schools of medicine outside of Western medicine. Some people look to all or part of these disciplines to complement their traditional treatment, or they may choose to treat themselves exclusively with Ayurvedic, Chinese, homeopathic or naturopathic medicine. Acupuncture and chiropractic medicine may also be incorporated into a discipline, such as Chinese medicine, or be used independent of other regimens.
What follows are definitions of these disciplines and the manner in which each treats the disease. Specific treatment regimens vary depending on the practitioner.
Acupuncture
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, most pain conditions and diseases are caused by an imbalance or a blockage of energy circulating in the body. Acupuncture is used to restore the proper flow of energy and the body toward balance. In an acupuncture treatment, thin sterile needles are inserted at specific points on the body. These points are selected according to the patient's problem.
Reports from people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis are mixed: Some say acupuncture helps their disease while others report no effect. People who try acupuncture and improve say it takes many treatments. Acupuncture has few known side effects.
According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture is an acceptable treatment for many pain conditions. Studies have shown that acupuncture helps relieve pain from fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
Ayurvedic medicine
Ayurvedic [I-yur-vay-dik] medicine originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. Prevention is the key to Ayurvedic medicine. It encourages attention to balance in one's life through diet, herbs, lifestyle and "right thinking."
According to supporters of Ayurvedic medicine, managing disease and restoring health involve assessing the whole person to understand the nature of the imbalance. For psoriasis, a specific treatment regimen might involve topical application of certain oils, such as sesame or mustard; fasting and other dietary guidelines; elimination of stress; and regular physical exercise.
Chinese medicine
For more than 3,000 years, many people have used Chinese medicine (also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine) to treat and prevent diseases. It is a complex healthcare system that includes acupuncture, herbs, massage, nutrition and exercise. Practitioners often personalize their Chinese medicine practice to suit their own area of expertise. They also tailor a treatment regimen to each patient.
Herbs, combined in unique formulations for each
individual patient, are one of the primary treatments.
More than 300 herbs commonly used today have a
history of use that goes back at least 2,000 years. In
the treatment of psoriasis, oral and topical herbal
treatments are used.
Use caution with all herbals: Some make the skin more
sensitive to ultraviolet light, while others may interact
with other prescriptions or medications.
In trained hands, the centuries of wisdom behind
Chinese medicine may be able to help some people.
However, Chinese herbs are available in the U.S. as
food supplements, not as drugs. Therefore, they are
not strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, except for monitoring the cleanliness
of manufacturing facilities. Random testing of crude
herb materials and herb products made in the U.S.
indicate that they are free of harmful contaminants.
Imported products must be used with caution.
Chinese herbals should be taken only as prescribed by
a trained health professional.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic medicine is the practice of manipulating the spine for therapeutic benefit. It began in the United States in the late 1800s and is now a widely recognized alternative treatment.
The Psoriasis Foundation is unaware of any clinical studies on the usefulness of chiropractic medicine in treating psoriasis. However, John O.A. Pagano, D.C., a New Jersey chiropractor, has published a regimen for treating psoriasis that includes spinal manipulations.
Homeopathic medicine
Homeopathy is a school of medicine based on the premise that "like cures like." Practitioners believe that substances that produce certain symptoms in a healthy person can cure diseases that have similar symptoms. As an example, homeopathic doctors might use a natural product known to cause stomach irritation in a healthy person and administer it in a greatly diluted form to treat someone with a stomach ulcer.
People report success with homeopathic treatments for psoriasis, including sulfur and nickel. Homeopathic remedies are usually so diluted that they will not cause major side effects. A consultation with someone trained in this practice will help guide the treatment and ensure your safety.
Naturopathic medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care distinguished by these principles:
- Nature has the power to heal.
- First do no harm.
- Identify and treat the causes of illness.
- Treat the whole person.
- The doctor acts as a teacher.
- Prevention is paramount.
Treatment methods are consistent with these principles and are based on the individual patient.
Naturopathic practice excludes major surgery and the use of most synthetic drugs. Naturopathic treatments can complement those used by conventionally trained doctors. How a naturopathic doctor treats psoriasis varies from practitioner to practitioner.
The number of naturopathic doctors is increasing, but naturopathic medicine is not licensed in all 50 states. In states without licensing, look for a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Membership means that a person has met appropriate standards.
Questions to ask
If you decide to seek medical care from an alternative medicine practitioner, ask him or her these questions before beginning treatment:
- Are you licensed to use this treatment?
- Do you have experience and success treating psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis?
- How many patients have you successfully treated?
- What is the length and cost of the proposed treatment?
- What are reasonable expectations for improvement based on your experience treating patients with similar conditions?
- What are the risks or possible side effects of the treatment under consideration?
- How long have you been administering this treatment?
- What are your other areas of expertise?
- What other kinds of problems do you treat?
- Are your professional references available?
Updated November 2006
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