October 30th, 2009 §
The very nature of the internet has changed over the past couple of years. The old perception of the anti-social adolescent, sitting behind a screen is fading, and fast. Today, people are engaged all over the world, discussing everything from shoes to what they had for lunch. As online interaction continues to expand, staying in the loop has never been so important.
Let’s say you’re in the market for a new car. Are you going straight to the dealership for information? The sales people are very knowledgeable. No, you’re probably going online to check out reviews, read recommendations, and visit the website to look at the specs and the profusion of features.
The same principle applies to alternative medicine. When folks invest in their health, they want to get all the information they can before making a decision. As such, you should probably know what’s being said about you as well as your practice. Fortunately, there are some great tools out there to help you do that.
This free service from Google let’s you identify key words or phrases that you want to track. Simply visit Google Alerts to get started. Putting “Jane Smith” in the search term area of the alert means that any time Jane’s name is mentioned online, you will get an alert sent to your inbox with a specified description and link.
A great way to find blogs relevant to you or your practice is to use the Google blog search tool. You can visit Google Blog Search or just locate the appropriate link on the Google homepage. In some cases, blog search is more relevant than regular search.
Microsoft has officially come out with a great tool. You’re probably thinking. Microsoft is being innovative? The answer is a resounding YES! With Bing Twitter Search you can easily find what people are saying about you and see any related links.
These are some great tools to discover what folks are saying about you and your practice. Don’t just sit on your hands. Become involved, join the conversation and consider creating original content to get your message across.
October 27th, 2009 §
President Barack Obama recently signed a national emergency declaration to accommodate American health care facilities’ ability to address the H1N1 pandemic. Our brief experience with this influenza suggests that its symptoms are generally less severe than the seasonal flu and its death rate is comparable, but because there’s little to no immunity in people under 60, it can potentially affect a greater percentage of the population.
The media attention has been over the top, resulting in a sort of frenzy as people rush to get vaccinated. With shortages looming, it seems they will do just about anything to get their hands on the vaccine. We live in a society where everyone wants a quick fix and instant gratification. If we take a pill, the pain will go away. If we get vaccinated, we’re safe from the H1N1. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation suggests otherwise.
In response to today’s quick fix lifestyles and rising incidences of cancer, disease and illness, the demand for alternative medicine and complementary therapies is on the rise. Contrary to popular belief, alternative medicine has a longer history than conventional medicine of about 5,000 years or so. In fact, much of alternative medicine is derived from ancient healing techniques which are commonly used by practitioners in a modern context. Instead of focusing on the quick fix, alternative medicine emphasizes prevention and empowers people to make healthy decisions.
October 21st, 2009 §
We’re very pleased to take the wrapper off ACMZONE, a community website dedicated to connecting people with alternative medicine and complementary therapies. Our developers have built a great resource for health conscious individuals and practitioners alike. We believe modern medicine is not better served with prescription medication and surgery. Granted, there will always be times when surgery is absolutely necessary. Other times, alternative medicine and complementary therapies are a better option.
Some of the worst pain, I’ve ever experienced was the result of appendicitis. It happened suddenly, my appendix ruptured, and it had to be surgically removed. Conversely, a close associate of mine developed digestive problems. He saw multiple gastroenterologists, had every test imaginable, everything from being scoped and scanned to upper and lower GIs, not to mentions extensive blood work. According to his doctors, it was either in his head, or there was absolutely nothing wrong with him. I’m glad to say he feels much better today. Through naturopathic treatment, digestive enzymes and probiotics the future is indeed a bright one.
It’s really interesting if you take a minute and take a look at current trends. The cost of healthcare is rising way above the rate of inflation. It’s not just a particular aspect of our system. It’s the entire system! Deductibles, premiums, visits and the cost of medicine are becoming increasingly unaffordable. At the same time, a 2008 report by Reuters Healthcare found that 50 percent of hospitals continue to operate in the red. Isn’t there something very wrong with this picture?
Not every ailment requires prescription medication or surgery. If you have a back problem, before pain medication, consider chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, acupuncture or Bowen therapy. If you have a weight issue, before even contemplating surgery or diet pills, a nutritionist may be able to help. There are very real and proven alternatives out there. With ACMZONE, you can find the right practitioner for all your needs.
