Talking With Your Doctor About Alternative Medicine

Many people with arthritis, cancer and other illnesses use alternative or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, herbs or vitamins and minerals without telling their doctors.

For example, of 232 people with arthritis, two-thirds had used complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) but only half had told their doctors, according to a study published in 1999 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Most of those who used CAM had osteoarthritis. The most common reasons for not discussing their CAM use were that the doctor hadn't asked  about it and that the patient forgot to tell the doctor. Few people in the study said they didn't talk about CAM because they thought their doctor wouldn't approve.

Besides the methods listed above, CAM includes dietary changes, dietary supplements, massage, exercise and mind-body therapies.

The following suggestions can help you work with your doctor if you choose to use alternative therapies.

Steps to take

• Keep your health care provider informed of any alternative therapies you're using or considering, including massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal and essential oils, vitamins and minerals and special diets.

• Don't assume your provider will respond negatively. Today, many providers acknowledge the effectiveness of certain alternative approaches. Many of them also work with complementary therapists and may be able to recommend a massage therapist or acupuncturist.

• Ask your provider if he or she sees anything in your medical history or current health profile that could make a particular alternative therapy risky for you.

• Tell your provider if you plan to use an alternative medicine treatment even though he or she advises against doing so. It's important your decision be noted in your records.

• Ask your provider to monitor therapies with potential or documented toxicity, including herbal preparations, dietary regimens and supplements, medicinal agents delivered by injection, intravenous infusion and certain forms of spinal manipulation.

• Tell your provider if an alternative provider advises you to do something that conflicts with his or her medical recommendations.

• Ask your provider if he or she knows a lot about a remedy you're using or thinking of trying. If the provider has reservations about the therapy, ask for a detailed explanation.

• Offer information if your provider doesn't know about a therapy you're using. If your provider doesn't have enough time to stay current on every kind of alternative treatment, it's your responsibility to research the risks and benefits of a particular remedy.

You also can ask your alternative practitioner to send your health care provider information on his or her alternative treatment plan.

Finally, ask for a prescription or referral if your provider approves or doesn't object to an alternative treatment. Some therapies, such as massage or chiropractic, may be covered by some health insurance carriers if your provider prescribes it.