Ms. Shepard--

I'd have to disagree with your statement that professional treatment is "always preferable" to
self-treatment.

For example, I don't go to the doctor for cold/flu treatment, or for a bad case of indigestion. Such ailments are self-limiting and amenable to self-treatment, as are many others.

Suppose there is a medical emergency, and "professional treatment" is not available, or
timely?

Suppose that homeopaths are rare in the Southeast US,andone may have neither the funds nor the transportation to consult one?

Should one, in such a case, simply forget the whole thing, as self-treatment may do more harm than good?

Or should one attempt to take responsibility for one's own health, and make forays into alternative modalities-- especially if allopathic medicine has failed to help?

I'd love to consult a good homeopath, but, they ain't any hereabouts, so I'm in a bind.

neuly56