Kirkus Reviews QR Code
ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY DIABETES CARE by Diana W. Guthrie

ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY DIABETES CARE

How to Combine Natural and Traditional Therapies

by Diana W. Guthrie

Pub Date: April 14th, 2000
ISBN: 0-471-34784-1
Publisher: Wiley

General discussion of some possibilities offered by alternative therapies to improve the health of those with diabetes. Guthrie (retired from the University of Kansas School of Medicine) is certified in holistic nursing and healing touch. She treads carefully, reminding those affected that they must continue with traditional medical therapy while experimenting with any supportive complementary care. Guthrie uses the acronym PARENT as shorthand for the responsibilities of those with the disease: Positive thinking, Assertiveness, Relaxation, Exercise, Nutrition, and Touch. The positive aspect of diabetes, as proposed by Guthrie, is that simply by having the disease you will be forced to take better care of your health. Emphasizing positive thinking, she is quick to point out, by no means negates the fact that diabetes is “a terribly threatening disease.” She goes on to cover such therapies as the use of herbs, chiropractic, relaxation techniques, massage, and “journaling” (you’re writing to yourself, she counsels, so feel free to write whatever you please).

A broad introduction, then, rather than a self-help guide; and any serious application of these techniques would have to be undertaken with the guidance of a knowledgeable practitioner and the knowledge of one’s medical caregiver.