Many people think of alternative treatments when all else fails, a last resort after countless traditional methods have been unsuccessfully tried. But alternative health care is surprisingly more mainstream than the name implies — and even health insurance companies pay for some options.

Naturopathic physicians learn the same basics as medical doctors, and go through the same rigorous training, says Holly Christy, N.D., L.Ac., a naturopathic physician with the Four Winds practice in Kingston. The major difference is that naturopathic care looks at the patient as a whole, not just particular symptoms or problems. And unlike most traditional doctors, they do not rush from one patient to the next, leaving little room for conversation.

“It’s a different perspective. For us, it’s more important to get a better picture of who you are,” Christy said. That means the average visit with the doc is about an hour — and the clinic sees six to eight patients a day only. At the same time, most insurance companies cover the cost as for any other office visit.

Don’t expect to get prescription drugs or any other chemical treatment. The naturopathic physicians’ “bag of tricks is different,” Christy says. The focus is on exercising and diet, herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, preventive measures and similar techniques. Even so, everything from a regular wellness check to chronic health problems can be addressed.

Be prepared to take responsibility for your own health: Using a naturopathic physician means a partnership, Christy says: “We give you directions on how to steer the plane but you are in charge.”

If you are not ready to switch physicians but would like to explore other alternatives, you have lots of local options — and you’re never too old to try some of these techniques. Rolfing, acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbals, chiropractic, and exercises like yoga, Tai Chi or Qi-gong are some of the choices.

Unlike massage, which works to get you relaxed, rolfing works on the connective tissue to make the body more balanced. Although it has earned the reputation of being very painful in its early years, this medical art has come a long way, experts say.

Certified Advanced Rolfer Shonnie Carson, R.N., B.S., A.N.P., L.M.P., of Port Orchard-based MyBodyWorks, Inc., thinks of the body like a kite with sticks and strings. The chiropractor works on the sticks — your bones — while the rolfer gets the strings, the tissue. Unlike chiropractic care that may require many sessions to keep the spine adjusted, most rolfing treatments can be done in 10 visits, she says. But some patients choose to come back for tune-ups, and others may need more advanced work.

For seniors, who tend to have stiffer bodies, rolfing is perfect, Carson says. “Once we start decreasing our movement, it’s like a downward spiral and we are less able to move and feel more discomfort,” she says. Rolfing can help the body feel more comfortable, have better posture, even move more gracefully, as well as eliminate certain pain.

Carson, who has 33 years of experience as a nurse and 23 years as a rolfer, advises checking credentials and experience before choosing a rolfer — you can use the Rolf Institute online at www.rolf.org to learn more about rolfing or even locate one.

Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi-gong are ideal exercise methods for seniors, but they are all different so you may need to learn a little about each before deciding which one to try. For seniors, yoga is a good way to keep focused on breathing properly, which helps bring more oxygen to the body and the brain, says Judy Denney of Bent on Yoga near Poulsbo. But most importantly, it improves balance, and for women helps strengthen the pelvic floor.

“Many people believe that aches and pains come as we get older, but that does not have to be the case,” says 58-year-old Denney, who has taught yoga for 23 years and has been doing it for more than 30.

She says finding the right instructor is an important task — because you need to find one who teaches to the individual needs. But, don’t look for a special class for seniors. “It’s not smart for seniors to isolate themselves — the other ages need to be able to accommodate others,” she says. Besides, most young people aren’t going to be in an entry-level class, so don’t worry about starting out at a late age.

No matter how old you are, be aware of your limitations, Denney recommends, and talk with the instructor if you have problems like high blood pressure. Ask questions to see if the instructor is willing to be flexible when you can’t hold a pose or have other challenges. And don’t try out a class by being an observer — the only way you’ll know if you’re comfortable with the teacher is by trying it out.

“Yoga is more than a physical practice, it’s an awareness,” she says. “It’s about learning to stay connected with yourself, but also learning what feels good outside that.”

Chinese herbs, an alternative to prescribed pharmaceuticals, have been around for thousands of years. Some people choose to supplement their traditional health care with herbs, while others use them exclusively.

“Chinese medicine is especially effective at treating illnesses as people age,” says Kitty Bradshaw, O.M.M., L.Ac., Oriental Medical Practitioner and licensed acupuncturist at BIOM on Bainbridge Island. “It’s a broad system of treatment, but everybody’s body is different so I couldn’t guarantee the same results for everyone. However, the results I have seen are remarkable.”

Bradshaw acknowledges that it can be difficult to understand Chinese medicine because some available information is conflicting. Finding the right practitioner is the key, and he or she will guide you through the options once you share your medical history and health concerns. “People who come to us have either tried everything or don’t like pharmaceuticals,” she says, “but about 40 percent of our patients combine (traditional and non-traditional medicine).”

BIOM also offers various wellness getaways, Tai Chi, consultations, acupuncture, and other services. One important consideration for acupuncture, Bradshaw says, is to be aware that there is a difference between Chinese, Japanese and other styles, and patients should discuss the methods used.

If you’re opposed to surgery, you may be able to avoid it for cases such as bad knees, shoulders or some injuries. MVP Physical Therapy, which has several locations in Greater Kitsap, is technically not an alternative health care clinic — but the right place for physical therapy that may help you avoid going under the knife. The various clinics offer choices like aquatic therapy, Qi-gong and Tai Chi classes as well as wellness consultations.

No matter what alternative treatment you are considering, don’t think of it as a magic pill. Like anything else, you need a balanced approach – for a healthy body and soul.