title: Traditional and complementary therapies used together in the treatment, relief and control of Chron's disease and polyarthritis.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ballard
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*