Alternative Care for Injuries or Illnesses (Part 1)

Alternatives to traditional medical care are available to injured workers.  HOWEVER, most often, workers’ compensation insurance carriers will not pay for these treatments because some of them are not medically proven, or they have produced inconsistencies in results or effectiveness, or the treatment does not have sufficient scientific proof to be comparable to traditional modern medicine.  Basically, what works for one person may not work for another and there really are no guarantees.

So, why am I blogging about alternative care?  For those of you who have settled your workers’ compensation claim, you have the freedom to choose which type of medical or alternative care you wish to pursue – do what works for your body!  Some forms of alternative care can have amazing results for certain individuals while others may have hidden risks.

I have compiled the list below (and for the next two posts) from (https://dsc.discovery.com/), detailing the 10 most popular alternative medicine treatments from least to most common.  Some of these methods could arguable be considered a lifestyle rather than a treatment so keep an open mind as you read through and, as always, you should consult a medical professional before starting any course of treatment. 

10. Homeopathy – A system for the treatment of disease by minute doses of natural substances that in a healthy person would produce symptoms of disease.

“Homeopathic practitioners analyze patients as individuals, and then prescribe a variety of pills to bring the body into balance and get rid of disease. Doses are infinitively small, and include many herbal and plant-based remedies as well as yoga, meditation and other traditional practices.”

9: Hypnosis – An artificially induced altered state of consciousness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction.

“Hypnotists guide a patient to an altered state of consciousness, then make subtle suggestions to help the patient improve his health and well-being. Hypnosis has long been used to help patients stop smoking, lose weight and treat insomnia [source: University of Minnesota]. Hypnosis also shows promise for stress relief, pain management, headaches, dental pain and childbirth. Although scientists know little about how hypnosis works, studies have shown that hypnosis creates a biological reaction within the body, including stimulation of the nervous system [source: Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine].”

8: Yoga – facilitating balance and health

“Studies show that regular yoga practice reduces stress, eases depression and helps control high blood pressure and diabetes symptoms [source: Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine]. It also helps to reduce inflammation, which can improve asthma symptoms, ease back pain and even keep your heart healthier over time [source: OhioStateUniversity]. Unlike traditional medical care, yoga comes with a low price tag and poses few risks, making it accessible to a wide variety of people.”

            Check back in a few days to see the remaining 7 popular forms of alternative care!

If you would like more information on the Virginia Workers’ Compensation system, or if you need help settling your workers’ compensation claim, order my book, “The Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia,” or call our office today (804) 755-7755.

~Author

Michele Lewane, Esq.