For example, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) can relieve pain and temporarily reduce inflammation (without curing it), but, when taken long term, they can do serious damage to the intestines and even cause death. According to the CDC, over 16,000 people a year die from over-the-counter pain relievers.
Thankfully, some western medicine practitioners are becoming more holistically minded, but because of the poor way office visits and insurance are set up, they don't have the time to counsel patients thoroughly. Telling people to “eat well and exercise regularly” clearly isn’t solving the problem.
Unfortunately, the track record for alternative health isn’t much better.
While alternative health modalities often claim to be holistically minded, too often they are selling shiny new fads and are rooted in judgement, shame, and a healthier-than-thou attitude. Often, the first step to addressing chronic inflammation in the alternative health world is about severe food restrictions and other intense steps that are hard to adopt and don’t set people up for success.
It’s time for a better way.