In 2022, a study by DREES revealed that 26 departments had more than 200 under-to-do municipalities in general practitioners. This health fracture has been accentuated since and has no longer spanned medium -sized cities or specialties such as dermatology. This is a reality for many French people: allopathic medicine is sometimes out of reach.
Faced with this observation, so -called “alternative” medicines gain ground, often in the first appeal.
Why do alternative medicines are increasingly attracting?
The phenomenon is not new. Everyone knows the fiery cutters and other village rebouteux. But also new more supervised disciplines, such as sophrology, acupuncture or hypnosis.
What changes is the sociology of patients: those who turn to these healers are younger, more urban, often graduated, and less attached to an only allopathic medicine.
“”Nature hates a vacuum “ Notes Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical. “”The absence of access to care in medical deserts leads to consultations with alternative medicine practitioners by default and first of all. “
Well-being specialists but not medicine
But be careful not to confuse everything. “”You have to have the idea that healers do not make medicine, but well-being“Underlines Franck Devulder, President of the Confederation of French medical unions (CSMF) and gastroenterologist in Reims, in an interview with daily The mountain. For him, these practices must remain complementary, not competing with conventional medicine.
In what cases can alternative medicines be useful?
When they are well supervised, certain practices can relieve, accompany patients and even soothe them. But never replace a medical diagnosis.
Dr. Kierzek recalls the good indications of complementary and alternative medicine (MCA). “”We can turn to complementary and alternative medicines in addition to validated medical treatment, in particular for stress and anxiety management, thanks to approaches such as hypnosis, sophrology or acupuncture. They can also help in the event of chronic pain, with osteopathy or acupuncture, under medical advice “.
But not only. “”These practices can also accompany patients in palliative care, via aromatherapy or therapeutic touch, and relieve certain side effects of phytotherapy treatments, provided you avoid drug interactions “ Add our expert.
Finally, “For prevention and well-being, alternative medicines find their place through relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, and the use of food supplements, always under medical control to avoid any overdose“.
What drifts should be taken care of?
While certain methods are recognized, others may expose to care delays, or even serious risks. Here are the situations where alternative medicines should be avoided, according to Dr Gérald Kierzek:
- In the event of a medical emergency: stroke, infarction, severe infection …;
- When a practitioner promises to cure serious pathologies, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis…;
- If you are advised to abandon medical treatment such as vaccines, antibiotics, etc.;
- When mentioned “miraculous” results not scientifically validated.
“”MCAs must remain complementary and not replace an essential treatment “ insists Dr. Kierzek. “”You must always consult a doctor before undertaking an alternative therapy, especially in the event of chronic or serious pathology “.
Before concluding: “In the absence of a rapid structural response to medical desertification, these practices will continue to establish themselves in the forgotten territories. But it would be dangerous to consider them as a sufficient response. The real issue remains access to basic medical care for all “.