By Michael Dorausch, D.C.
According to a recent study, more patients than ever before with traumatic brain injuries are turning to alternative approaches such as chiropractic care instead of, or in addition to the traditional medical approach towards such injuries. Also, the majority of these patients are not discussing their use of alternatives with their medical doctors, according to the study.
The findings are similar to previous complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) studies which found increasing numbers of people turning to alternatives in health-care and not sharing that information with their medical doctors.
According to the new research, more than 80 percent of individuals that suffered from traumatic brain injuries interviewed believed that the alternative approaches to health that they chose were effective even though there has been little medical assessment in most cases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury, which is damage to the brain often caused by a sudden physical assault to the head.
Patients with a traumatic brain injury often experience chronic motor and cognitive impairment. They may also suffer from seizures, and sensory and visual deficits which may affect information processing, memory, perceptual skills and physical functioning.
According to the study, the lack of definitive medical treatments for traumatic brain injuries has resulted in more patients turning towards alternatives in recent years. More than half of individuals interviewed said that they had used at least one alternative approach for their injuries.
According to patients, the most commonly used approaches were massage, meditation, herbs, and chiropractic.
EurekAlert: Brain injury patients now turning to alternative medicine for treatment – Eighty percent feel CAM is effective, however very few discuss use with physician
planetc1.com-news @ 1:45 pm | Article ID: 1050439502
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