Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are therapies considered by mainstream Western medicine to be nontraditional measures used as complements to allopathic (conventional) medicine.

Traditional Western medicine excels in treatment of infectious disease, acute illnesses, and trauma. However, this system does not adequately address prevention, optimal wellness, or chronic disease.

Certain systems of CAM such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine surpass conventional medicine in these areas. Other systems address energy of our body in a gentle manner, such as homeopathy, rather than harsh energy medicine such as radiation oncology. CAM embraces such mind/body techniques as hypnotherapy, yoga, and biofeedback.

Acupuncture is an example of a nonbiomedical system of healing that has few complications or adverse reactions.

We live in a fast-paced society filled with stress and environmental pollution. We have been conditioned to expect fast results and told it is acceptable to pop a pill whenever we have slightest amount of discomfort. Marketing companies have spent billions in advertising to convince us to eat junk food.

Incorporating natural health modalities into your life can assist you in achieving radiant health, balance of body, and emotional stability, but internal and external changes will need to be made. Good health begins by obtaining and applying knowledge. You can take charge of your health and begin living a healthy lifestyle.

About the author – Kathy Browning is a healing arts practitioner and wellness coach. She is also the Editor-In-Chief of “The Art of Living Well”, an ezine focused on the mind, body, spirit connection and the author of “Feng Shui for Abundant Living”. Be sure to visit http://www.cancercomfort.com for more information.

The following list of chemicals could produce MCS symptoms: Aerosol air freshener; Aerosol deodorant; After-shave lotion; Asphalt pavement; Cigar smoke and Cigarette smoke; Colognes and perfumes; Diesel exhaust and Diesel fuel; Dry-cleaning fluid; Floor cleaner; Furniture polish; Garage fumes; Gasoline exhaust; Hair spray; Insect repellant; Insecticide spray; Laundry detergent; Marking pens; Nail polish and Nail polish remover; Oil-based paint; Paint thinner; Perfumes in cosmetics; Public restroom deodorizers; Shampoo; Tar fumes from roof or road; Tile cleaners; Varnish, shellac, and lacquer.

If you suspect you are suffering from MCS, it is important to obtain quality health care. Insist upon a careful initial history, physical examination and basic laboratory investigation. You deserve a compassionate evaluation and management from a clinician who is sympathetic to you, but who also will protect you from unwarranted, dangerous, expensive or unproven evaluation and management.

Educate yourself about topic. Knowledge is power and you will discover there are not many physicians who are well informed about MCS. Many say it doesn't exist, others do not understand it, nor do they do how to treat you. I highly recommend finding a practitioner who specializes in this field or seek out a certified nutrition counselor or alternative health care provider.

Listed below are sites which offer additional information, as well as conventional and alternative healing modalities.Treat yourself to a healthy dose of knowledge. Your body will reward you for it!

http://www.ourlittleplace.com/mcs.html http://www.disabilitystudies.com/MCS_Reources.htm http://www.cfs-news.org/mcs.htm

About the author – Kathy Browning is a healing arts practitioner and wellness coach. She is also the Editor-In-Chief of “The Art of Living Well”, an ezine focused on the mind, body, spirit connection and the author of “Feng Shui for Abundant Living”. Be sure to visit http://www.cancercomfort.com for more information.