Health Care

Responding to Alternative Medicine

We have found that there are many frightening and ungodly practices incorporated into many forms of alternative medicine. The three alternative methods of care in my book, (Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch), are Satanic in origin. Nevertheless, the use of these spiritually dangerous touch therapies continues to grow. More and more patients and health care professionals are encountering them. The question remains, "How do I as a Christian respond to the insidious therapies that are becoming so common place?"

If you know that you are going to the hospital as an inpatient or that someone you love is entering hospice or another medical facility, it would be wise to assk if alternative therapies are used at your facility. Many institutions advertise the use of alternative therapies and all you need to do is go to their web site or look at their literature. You might also contact family and friends that have had care at that particular institution. Call their spiritual care office and see what kinds of alternative care is available and what kinds their chaplains provide. These are just a few of the information gathering techniques that you can turn to.

If you are a nurse or another health care professional the sponsorship of alternative therapies by your health care facility may present unique difficulties. As a Christian, you may find yourself in an "unfriendly environment". Christianity is diametrically opposed to the occult practice of many alternative therapies. These practitioners are aware of this and they don't want you around even as you don't want them to practice in your work place. There are many factors that determine your response as a Christian in your work environment. These can include: "Is the use of the therapy mandatory? Am I required to support it? Am I required to take training and implement it? Another question is how does it affect me? Can I avoid alternative therapies or are they pervasive and I can't avoid them?"

How should nurses and other health care professionals respond to a non-Christian health care workplace? Sometimes professionals can simply refuse to participate, at other times they may have to take the extreme position of finding other employment. Whatever response you find necessary, know that the "gifts and calling of God are without repentance" -- God will always have a place for you to use the gifts and talents He has given you. The old axiom is true, "God never closes one door without opening another". Whatever place you find yourself today, patient or professional remember to "Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:13).