Every December I wait to hear how much my health insurance premium will go up.  I feel so powerless and frustrated because I have so few choices but to pay the ever increasing premium.

Where we have choices is in health care intervention.  Certainly eating healthy, exercising, and getting adequate sleep are frequently advertised means of taking care of our health.   Traditional medical care, with its vast diagnostic methods and treatments including pharmaceuticals, has done much to increase the life expectancy and quality of life.  However, there are other options, perhaps not as well known, for preventing and intervening with health concerns.

Alternative health, aka complementary or integrative medicine, can work with traditional medicine to offer a greater array of treatment options.  These are natural ways to improve our health.  All share the belief that the body has the capacity to heal itself if barriers are identified and removed.  They are all holistic, meaning these approaches look at the person as a whole rather than focusing on just disease.

We are fortunate to have several alternative health providers in this local area.  Some providers will be present at the Alternative Healing Fair during the Dogwood Festival, Saturday May 19 to share their intervention and to answer your questions.    Representatives include acupuncture, naturopathy, massage, essential oils, reflexology, yoga, and mindfulness meditation.

Saturday, May 19, Noon to 4 pm.  Every Body’s Yoga Studio, 149 Main St. Upper Level. Dansville NY.