As international travel becomes more affordable but our home economies continue to look grim, many more westerners are exploring international solutions to their expensive health conditions every year. Hospitals and clinics in countries outside of Western Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia
1. Acupuncture
Developed in China around 200 BCE, acupuncture is a method of healing that utilizes thin needles inserted into the skin at precise points in order to redirect the flow of energy throughout the body. Treatments are generally much more relaxing than they would appear from the pincushion appearance that they take on. Today acupuncture has a wide following around the world, but if you want to try it closer to its origins you may be interested in seeking treatment in China and its neighboring countries. Acupuncture sessions are almost universally regarded as safe and free of side effects, and many swear by the results that can be gained in treating any variety of ailments.
2. Yoga and meditation retreats
These South Asian practices stem from ancient religious rituals and attempts at reaching enlightenment through purity of body and mind. While both are pursuits that take a lifetime to master, many backpackers broaden their horizons and cleanse themselves by taking short courses. These can now be found around the world and range from casual weekend seminars to ten day or longer vipassana retreats, which call for absolute silence throughout the duration. These retreats are wildly popular, but their quality may vary. Get recommendations from other travelers before signing up for one to see how it stacks up.
3. Traditional African medicine
In almost every African nation there are far more traditional medical practitioners than doctors of western medicine. Their practices generally involve diagnosis through spiritual means of determining in which way the patient is unbalanced within his or her society or environment, resulting in sickness. Treatment may take a variety of forms, including medicinal herbs, spiritual ceremonies and incantations, bloodletting, and rudimentary surgeries. I’m not recommending it, per se, but you might just find that this is the right process for you.
4. Japanese Kampo
In Japan, herbal remedies are treated as regulated medicines in the same way pharmaceuticals are—standardized, subject to health laws, and tested extensively for safety. They are expected to meet rigorous standards, are integrated into the national health system and widely used. Kampo, the traditional art of healing through herbs, is widely accepted today. Many visitors are impressed by the efficacy of such treatment.
5. Native American Shaminism
The diverse cultures of North, Central, and South American native tribes all include shamanistic healing as an important part of their belief system. Though practices vary widely depending on geographic area and idiosyncrasies of a given tribe, most include figures that have been referred to as healers and medicine men/women. From Navajo crystal healing to Mapuche herbs to powerfully hallucinogenic brews of Ayahuasca in the Amazon, there are a variety of traditional medicines still used today.
Whether you choose to engage in any of these alternative therapies or not, they do offer a view into traditional cultures. One of the best parts of international travel is learning from cultures distinct from your own. Medicine is one of a million different ways to observe these differences.
Staying healthy while traveling and living abroad doesn’t have to be just about western medical practices. While visiting different regions of the world, you may encounter local practices that you feel provide different or better results. Here are five treatments that you may get an opportunity to try out:
1. Acupuncture
Developed in China around 200 BCE, acupuncture is a method of healing that utilizes thin needles inserted into the skin at precise points in order to redirect the flow of energy throughout the body. Treatments are generally much more relaxing than they would appear from the pincushion appearance that they take on. Today acupuncture has a wide following around the world, but if you want to try it closer to its origins you may be interested in seeking treatment in China and its neighboring countries. Acupuncture sessions are almost universally regarded as safe and free of side effects, and many swear by the results that can be gained in treating any variety of ailments.
2. Yoga and meditation retreats
These South Asian practices stem from ancient religious rituals and attempts at reaching enlightenment through purity of body and mind. While both are pursuits that take a lifetime to master, many backpackers broaden their horizons and cleanse themselves by taking short courses. These can now be found around the world and range from casual weekend seminars to ten day or longer vipassana retreats, which call for absolute silence throughout the duration. These retreats are wildly popular, but their quality may vary. Get recommendations from other travelers before signing up for one to see how it stacks up.
3. Traditional African medicine
In almost every African nation there are far more traditional medical practitioners than doctors of western medicine. Their practices generally involve diagnosis through spiritual means of determining in which way the patient is unbalanced within his or her society or environment, resulting in sickness. Treatment may take a variety of forms, including medicinal herbs, spiritual ceremonies and incantations, bloodletting, and rudimentary surgeries. I’m not recommending it, per se, but you might just find that this is the right process for you.
4. Japanese Kampo
In Japan, herbal remedies are treated as regulated medicines in the same way pharmaceuticals are—standardized, subject to health laws, and tested extensively for safety. They are expected to meet rigorous standards, are integrated into the national health system and widely used. Kampo, the traditional art of healing through herbs, is widely accepted today. Many visitors are impressed by the efficacy of such treatment.
5. Native American Shaminism
The diverse cultures of North, Central, and South American native tribes all include shamanistic healing as an important part of their belief system. Though practices vary widely depending on geographic area and idiosyncrasies of a given tribe, most include figures that have been referred to as healers and medicine men/women. From Navajo crystal healing to Mapuche herbs to powerfully hallucinogenic brews of Ayahuasca in the Amazon, there are a variety of traditional medicines still used today.
Whether you choose to engage in any of these alternative therapies or not, they do offer a view into traditional cultures. One of the best parts of international travel is learning from cultures distinct from your own. Medicine is one of a million different ways to observe these differences.
What are antibiotics?
Here’s the simplified answer: antibiotics are microscopic organisms that are cultured (grown) with a particular role in mind—kill off bad bacteria in the body. At this point, it’s important to recognize the difference between bacterial infections and viral ones. Most bacteria can be killed by antibiotics, and a proper (and properly taken) prescription for them can be an effective and safe treatment. Viruses, on the other hand, cannot be killed by antibiotics, and the infections that they cause must be suffered through with only treatment for the symptoms. Doctors often knowingly prescribe antibiotics to patients suffering from viral infections, either to preemptively treat secondary bacterial infections that might arise as result, or just to make a patient happy. This is part of the controversy.
What are the side effects?
Antibiotics generally can’t discriminate between the naturally-occurring bacteria living in your system that is part of a healthy and balanced body and the invading bacteria making you sick. As a result, it is very common to have digestive problems such as diarrhea after taking antibiotics as your “good” bacteria have also been vanquished. Fungal infections may also arise. But, given the fact that you’re already sick, these might seem like acceptable risks.
So what’s the big deal?
Because antibiotics are easy to prescribe and take, many in the medical community believe that they are being overused and misused. Antibiotics are meant to be taken in a “course,” which is a several-day treatment. Patients often start the course, feel mostly better, and stop halfway through. This has resulted in the development of so-called “super-bugs,” which are introduced to antibiotics and live to fight another day. What doesn’t kill them makes them stronger, and they are now able to continue breeding bacterial strains that will resist antibiotic treatments in the future. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has stated that this is the largest health problem facing the US—risk of a drug-resistant pandemic.
How does that affect me?
As a traveler, you’re likely to get sick at some point or another. If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics may very well help. If it’s viral, you’re probably wasting your time, and if you don’t know the difference, you can’t make an informed decision. Options like Azithromycin (a “z-pack”) and Ciproflaxin are widely available in other countries, often over the counter. However, these and all other antibiotics are recommended to be used only with a doctor’s prescription, so be careful in self-diagnosing and prescribing such strong medications. If you do take them, be sure to take the full course, even if you feel better immediately. If you don’t get better, seek qualified medical help. Traveling sick is never pleasant, and helping to bring about the downfall of mankind by creating superbugs is no fun either. Stay informed, and stay healthy.
What does travel insurance cover?
This is entirely dependent on the policy that you purchase. Comprehensive medical coverage, lost luggage, trip cancellation, theft, travel delay, car rentals…these
1. Flying is dangerous!
Every so often, a major airline accident and terrorism incident will convince a surprisingly large number of people that choosing to fly is a dangerous decision. Whatever the reason, a lot of people ignore the fact that research has shown the chance of an American dying in a car crash during their lifetime to be one in 98…compared to one in 7,178 dying in airplane incidents. 2011 was the safest year in history for airlines, and 2012 seems like it wasn’t much worse. The future only looks better.
2. Attacks on Westerners are so common!
If you look at your government’s travel advisories for any particular country, you may be told that your destination is a hotbed for terrorism, civil unrest, attacks against foreigners, and other catastrophes waiting to happen. And yes, these things are possible. But when taken in the context of the millions of people that safely and happily visit countries outside of the west, the odds really are in your favor. The chances of you being held hostage by fanatics are pretty low, and shouldn’t make you reconsider going anywhere except the most extremely fractured of societies.
3. Criminals, criminals everywhere!
The US State Department has a harsh warning about pickpocketing, spiked drinks, auto theft, and armed robberies…in Australia. Show that to your mom if she freaks out about those things being on the advisory for Morocco. Yes, crime happens abroad, and you may even be a target for theft as a foreigner. But in many cases, crime rates are lower in other countries than in most big cities in the west. You’re much less likely to be mugged in rural Peru than you are in London or New York City. As with anywhere in the world, recommendations for solo women to take caution should be followed.
4. You’ll get sick!
You are pretty much guaranteed to get sick while backpacking, but not on the magnitude that people back home fear. A little bit of traveler’s diarrhea, the occasional cold, the odd bout of syphilis (kidding!)—you’re unlikely to get anything worse than that. Get the appropriate immunizations and other medications like anti-malarials (though don’t go overboard; research what is really necessary), and chances are you’ll be fine.
5. Medical care is atrocious!
If you’re way up in the Himalayas, or deep in the Amazon, or lost somewhere in the Central African Republic—probably. Consider the availability of quality health care carefully when choosing your destinations, as this is a legitimate concern. But in most places, you can find decent or even excellent treatment options available to you. Local hospitals and clinics generally offer sufficient care, but if that isn’t enough you may be able to find an international hospital that charges slightly more and has significantly higher standards.
Next time someone balks at the idea of international travel on grounds of safety, just remind them that they risk their lives every day by driving to work, eating that cheeseburger, or smoking that cigarette. Don’t hold yourself back on account of fear or closed-mindedness—go out and explore.