New Kinds of Treatment for Old Kinds of Eating Problems

Medical professionals agree: eating disorders are very dangerous. No matter what your reasoning, eating too little (anorexia), relieving your body of food after you eat too much (bulimia), and eating uncontrollably (binge-eating) can all lead to serious health problems like nutrient deficiency, stomach ulcers, drug dependency, and heart disease. Ultimately, these problems can lead to death. Hundreds of men and women die as a direct result of eating disorders every year. Medical treatments are available for those who want help, but if traditional treatments are not working, there are alternative treatment options available as well, so explore all your options if you are diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Acupuncture is probably the best known form of alternative therapy. In this treatment, you receive a number of sessions in which a trained professional attempts to restore positive energy in your body by sticking needles into your skin at specific pressure points. Although this may at first seem scary and useless, acupuncture is actually quite safe and has been helping people since it was first used in ancient China. Your traditional doctor can recommend a certified acupuncturist if you'd like to further explore this helpful option.

Along with acupuncture is acupressure, which works in much of the same way, but with force on points of the body instead of needle pricks. Other massage-like techniques can also be used with the same kind of results. Cupping and rolfing both have helped eating disorder patients in the past.

Herbs and alternative medications can also be used. Instead of prescription pills to help deal with side effects of an eating disorder, ask your doctor about natural medicines. These options can be just as effective and are often healthier for the body. Many natural medicines can be picked up over the counter, but some need written prescriptions just like traditional medications.

Before you agree to alternative treatments, be sure that your insurance covers them. Unfortunately, many of these alternative techniques are just recently becoming mainstream, and insurance companies are still skeptical of their use. However, new studies to prove their effectiveness are being done daily, so the use of alternative therapies should not be discounted when you are looking for eating disorder treatment options. Your doctor or dietician can help you plan the best course of action to meet your body's specific needs-the important thing is that you are attempting to recover and are stopping unhealthy eating habits so that you do not further damage your body.

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