Alternative medicine is becoming more widely accepted as a treatment for brain injury in children. Some parents have turned to alternative medicine after trying “conventional” Western medicine with less than stellar results, while other parents have used alternative medicine to complement more traditional therapies.

How does alternative medicine differ from conventional medicine? As a general rule, alternative medicine takes a more holistic approach, focusing on the cause of symptoms, rather than on the relief of symptoms. This more holistic approach results in a greater sense of well being and overall health. Alternative medicine tends to have fewer side effects than conventional medicine, and users report an improved quality of life.

Common alternative therapies used to treat kids with brain injury include the following:

• Massage therapy. Massage is effective for children who have motor and muscular issues as a result of brain injury, and also contributes to relaxation and stress relief.

• Healing Touch. This “energy” therapy is designed to restore harmony, energy, and balance to the body by manipulating energy fields. Some users claim it has a positive effect on neurons, and promotes a sense of overall well being.

• Reiki. Reiki is another form of energy medicine that is based on the theory that changes in energy within the body are the cause of disease and illness. Reiki practitioners are trained to detect these changes and bring the flow of energy within the body back to normal.

• Neurobiofeedback. Neurofeedback is a technique using computers, in which the brain is challenged and thereby trained to function better. Neurobiofeedback has been shown to effectively reduce some of the symptoms of brain injury, including anxiety and depression, headaches, emotional and behavioral issues, and attention problems.

What are the drawbacks to alternative medicine? Well, the biggest drawback is that many alternative therapies aren’t covered by insurance. If you believe that your special needs child could be helped by alternative medicine, but your insurance company is denying treatment, contact us to see how we can help. We can aid you in advocating for your child so that she gets the treatments and therapies she needs, and lives the best life possible.