How do naturopathic modalities help in HIV/AIDS patient care?

Naturopathic medicine is the effective way to improve the lifestyle of people living with HIV and AIDS, whether they have started ARV treatment or not. Naturopathic medicine does not replace the use of ARV treatment, and we do not encourage people to stop their ARV medications whatsoever – naturopathic medicine can help manage the side effects of some ARV drugs, and also improve the health of patients so the progression of HIV to AIDS is delayed.

Naturopathic medicine is primarily used in HIV/AIDS care to:

o Improve overall physical and mental health.

o Improve the immune function of the body.

o Keep the body as vital and healthy as possible to prevent further diseases

o Treat and manage opportunistic infections

o Educate the patient on diet, lifestyle and emotional approaches to enhance well being

o Reduce side effects of medications, such as vomiting, diarrhoea and insomnia

o Heal the gastrointestinal system to improve the immunity and health of the individual.

Because naturopathic medicine includes the study of medicine from a scientific as well as a natural and holistic approach, naturopathic doctors are able to use an integrated approach in the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS. By being well versed in HIV/AIDS, as well as medications used by people with HIV, naturopathic doctors are better able to implement treatments that include diet, nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, counselling, hydrotherapy, botanical medicine and breathing/stress reduction exercises to improve the treatment of their patients.

With these combined approaches, not only are patients able to manage their symptoms, but they are also more likely to become healthier individuals who can lead more comfortable lives.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that works on the principle of the Law of Similars. It is a very gentle medicine that is made of extremely low doses of medicinal substances. By having medicine in this way, the body is ‘awakened’ or stimulated to respond to the medication. In this way, the body’s own inherent immunity and healing response becomes stronger. Homeopathy is therefore able to help the body cure many diseases without creating a dependence for medication and also avoids the complication of viruses and bacteria becoming resistant to the medication because homeopathy helps to heal the body directly rather than focusing on the bacteria/virus itself.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is an excellent way to stimulate "Qi"? or vital energy. Medically, this translates into improved immune function and better health. Incorporating the body, mind, emotions, diet, lifestyle and environment, TCM utilizes all aspects which affect the human body in order to find the root cause of the imbalance. This way, in treating the root, multiple ailments are able to be fixed in a domino style effect. Treatment includes any combination of the following; Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Herbal Medicine, Tuina (Chinese massage and manipulation), Tai Qi/Qi Gong, as well as diet and lifestyle counseling.

Chinese Medicine and developing countries

With no need for expensive machinery and laboratories, Chinese Medicine has long been considered a very affordable and sustainable medicine in developing countries. Although it is a very successful adjunct to Western Medicine, TCM has also been effective as the primary and or sole medical system in many areas which do not have the financial resources for Western Medicine.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture utilizes a system of pathways called Meridians which contain Qi (energy which is the source of life and is both material and spirit). Needles are inserted into acupuncture points along the meridians in order to manipulate the Qi within the meridian. Excess Qi is drained, stagnated Qi is unblocked, and deficient Qi is tonified. Acupuncture works by healing energy meridians that are connected to all the organs and systemic physiology of the body. When the organs are balanced, they function better and allow the body to respond to disease in a stronger way.

Moxibustion

Moxa is traditionally an herb commonly known as Mugwort. It is rolled into cones or bought in prefabricated batons. The cone or baton is lit and place several centimeters above the skins surface in order to warm the area. Moxibustion uses the same system of points and meridians as acupuncture. Its primary use is to warm meridians and promote the flow of Qi.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine consists of using medicinal herbs categorized by their flavor, properties and function. Almost always used in combination in order to maximize efficacy and minimized side effects, these herbs are taken as a tea, in pellet/pill form or as raw herbs decocted in water. Their function is either to strengthen organs and levels of the body which are deficient, to drain organs/levels which are in excess and to move stagnation (blockages).

Botanical Medicine

Herbal medicine is the corner stone of many systems of healing, including modern pharmaceutical medicine. Herbs have been used forever to treat many diseases, and their role in the management and treatment of HIV and AIDS is gaining even more importance, as new discoveries are made on their isolated compounds. In terms of management and treatment of HIV and AIDS, herbs can be used to improve immune function, reduce stress, reduce depression, improve sleep quality, reduce viral load and eliminate pathogens that cause opportunistic infections and stress the immune system. Even though botanical medicine is considered relatively safe, it does not mean that these herbs do not have side effects. Herbal medicines have to be used cautiously, and interactions with medications must be considered and monitored.