Mind/Body Medicine
Practitioners of mind/body medicine may be physicians, therapists, or any other health care discipline. It has been found to effectively reduce the pain of fibromyalgia, and improve immune functioning ­p; such as increase natural killer cell function which is depressed in CFIDS. It uses meditation, relaxation training, imagery, biofeedback and breath therapy. One of the advantages of mind/body medicine is that it can be used easily at home in the form of daily self-healing practices.

Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopaths (D.O.'s) are fully licensed physicians like M.D.'s. Their training is the same, except that they receive additional training in therapeutic manipulation of the musculoskeletal system. Many osteopaths practice conventional medicine only. Some however specialize in manipulative therapies, and research has found osteopathic manipulation helpful with fibromyalgia. Some also use other forms of natural medicine.

Chiropractic
Chiropractors primarily treat the health of the body through spinal manipulation. Such manipulation improves the functioning of the nervous system, which is a key to health in all the body's organs and tissues. Regarding CFIDS, the hope is that by improving the flow of energy through the nervous system, the body's healing mechanisms, including the immune system, will restore harmony and work more effectively.

Massage Therapy & Bodywork
These therapies are effective in relieving stress that is held in the body, improving blood and lymph circulation, and creating an overall feeling of well-being. They can also help to remove blockages to the flow of vital energy through the body in the form of muscular tension and holding patterns. Research is underway at the University of Miami in the effects of massage therapy for CFIDS.

How Do We Choose?
Given all these options, how do you choose what's right for you? Every healthcare tradition has its advocates who will passionately argue that theirs is the best approach, superior to the others. However, with CFIDS, the reality is that people have been helped by all of the above traditions. With each and every approach, there are former PWC's who will tell you they owe their recovery to it.
In my experience, the best advice is to be open to trying a variety of approaches. If one tradition doesn't seem to help, don't give up and consider yourself untreatable. Different traditions work for different people. An integration of two or more traditions may prove to be the best answer for you. Fortunately, in America today we are blessed with an abundance of health care options.
To learn more about alternative medicine, see my new book, The American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine (WarnerBooks, January 1996).