Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 1996 Apr; 2(2): 52-4.

Traditional and complementary therapies used together in the treatment, relief and control of Chron's disease and polyarthritis.

Ballard AE.

A diagnosis of polyarthritis and later Chron's disease was initially treated by traditional treatments and medicines, which was later supported by aromatherapy and acupuncture, but the turning point to a full recovery followed from a visit to a naturopath and the commencement of an individual/personal diet regime. Over the months of the acute phase of the illness, a valuable insight was gained to the challenges of a physical disability and the difficulties of immobility, and the loss of independence. Also, the experience of being a patient rather than a nursing practitioner, gave first hand experience of the different situations patients meet on a daily basis throughout the health care services, both traditional and complementary, from a patient's perspective rather than from a nursing point of view. The following paper will hopefully help others to consider a fresh individual situations, reflect on the collaboration of traditional and complementary treatments, and treatment of underlying cause as well as symptoms.