Janet Hafner, a 64-year-old diabetes patient, has been able to control her high cholesterol, so that she no longer needs to take diabetes medication. Anita Rudd has had just one cold this past year - and no visits to the doctors - which she attributes to a regimen of herbal remedies, including vitamin D and Turmeric. The cost? Just $80.

So does alternative medicine, or what in the industry is called "integrative medicine," work? Can it help people stay healthy and cut their healthcare costs? Dr. Chasse Bailey-Dorton, an integrative medicine expert, says that "with the help of our doctor many of us can ditch the prescriptions and maintain our health through alternative medicines. With the economic situation right now and how expensive pharmaceuticals and insurance is, we are looking for an alternative."

Integrative medicine respects the body's natural ability to heal itself and offers treatment for the patient - mind, body and spirit. It combines conventional treatments with complementary therapies and has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of health conditions, from heart disease and diabetes to allergies, cancer and depression. Dr. Dorton says that her goal is to help get patients off prescription medicines, or at least, to help them lower their dosage.

So what does she typically prescribe? Vitamin D supplements has been shown in recent studies to help relieve depression. Insominacs are often told to take melatonin, which can help with sleep-related issues. Vitamin C helps ward off infection. Of course, Dr. Dorton suggests that anyone thinking about starting an integrative medicine regimin should first check with their physician to be sure supplements won't interfere with the effectiveness of their prescriptions.

News Release: Alternative medicine good in bad economy  http://www.wspa.com/spa/lifestyles/health_med_fit/medical/article/alternative_medicine_good_in_bad_economy/15200/  March 5, 2009