Info-Authority.com: Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine can be defined as those health treatment practices that are used in place of, or in addition to, the practice of traditional medicine. The conventional use of the word is debatable, but in broad terms, connotes the standard, wide-spread medical practices being used in the United States and Western Europe today, based on the latest scientific studies and technologies available. The definition of alternative medicine, and the view of what is considered mainstream or conventional medicine, are both changing. A few years ago, some treatments that are now considered mainstream were considered “quackery,” (i.e. chiropractic, biofeedback, and acupuncture). Mainstream medicine now acknowledges that biofeedback, meditation, acupuncture, and hypnosis work as complementary treatments.

Critics of Alternative Medicine

The merits of alternative medicine are widely argued. Likewise, there are questions about the validity of diagnoses, treatments, and the credentials of the practitioners who may not adequately licensed; practitioners of alternative medicine typically are not MDs. However, there are a number physicians who are practicing what they term complementary medicine. For instance, Harvard educated Dr. Andrew Weil founded the Integrative Medicine movement and is world-renowned for his work.

Critics of alternative medicine acknowledge the efficacy of the placebo effect and treatments such as biofeedback, but also object when alternative medicine is used in place of conventional treatments as well as when they are delayed owing to the use of alternative therapies. They also caution against use of non-prescribed supplements -- vitamins, minerals, herbs, and others -- in conjunction with traditional medications, as some of them interact adversely with each other. Also cited are the inherent dangers of using supplements that have not been FDA approved. The role of the FDA in regulating medical treatments is a subject of much debate in the US Congress; lobbying on both sides is on-going and controversial.

Proponents of Alternative Medicine

Despite the reluctance of many conventional practitioners to embrace alternative medicine, many Americans are dissatisfied with traditional medicine and are using methods such as yoga, meditation, herbs, the Atkins diet, and even prayer as a means of treatment. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is part of the National Institute of Health, conducted a survey in 2002, and found that 36 percent of Americans had used some form of alternative medicine. If prayer was added as a treatment, the number rose to 61 percent. A BBC survey of British citizens found that 40 percent turned to alternative medicine in some form. Dr. Andrew Weil's popularity and frequent appearances on Larry King and other mainstream media outlets demonstrates the high degree of interest in complementary medicine in the United States. At present, 19 medical schools in the country offer degrees in Osteopathy (DO), which is a major source of alternative and complementary medicine.

Those who use and advocate for alternative medicine cite:

Increased patient empowerment
Better pain management
Increased stress reduction
The holistic and preventative approach to treatments as being highly desirable and lacking in conventional medicine.

A 1998 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (May 20, 1998, Vol. 279, #19) by John A. Astin, PhD, asks, “Why Patients Use Alternative Medicine.” Dr. Astin found that those who were highly educated and reporting poorer health than the average person were most supportive of alternative medicine -- not so much because of dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, but because alternative medicine was more in line with their value system. In short, these people wanted more control over their treatments and more choice in how their healthcare is provided.

By Eve Visconti




	Alternative Medicine Alternative medicine can be defined as those health treatment practices that are used in place of, or in addition to, the practice of traditional medicine. The conventional use of the word is debatable, but in broad terms, connotes the standard, wide-spread medical practices being used in the United States and Western Europe today, based on the latest scientific studies and technologies available. The definition of alternative medicine, and the view of what is considered mainstream or conventional medicine, are both changing. A few years ago, some treatments that are now considered mainstream were considered “quackery,” (i.e. chiropractic, biofeedback, and acupuncture). Mainstream medicine now acknowledges that biofeedback, meditation, acupuncture, and hypnosis work as complementary treatments. Critics of Alternative Medicine The merits of alternative medicine are widely argued. Likewise, there are questions about the validity of diagnoses, treatments, and the credentials of the practitioners who may not adequately licensed; practitioners of alternative medicine typically are not MDs. However, there are a number physicians who are practicing what they term complementary medicine. For instance, Harvard educated Dr. Andrew Weil founded the Integrative Medicine movement and is world-renowned for his work. Critics of alternative medicine acknowledge the efficacy of the placebo effect and treatments such as biofeedback, but also object when alternative medicine is used in place of conventional treatments as well as when they are delayed owing to the use of alternative therapies. They also caution against use of non-prescribed supplements -- vitamins, minerals, herbs, and others -- in conjunction with traditional medications, as some of them interact adversely with each other. Also cited are the inherent dangers of using supplements that have not been FDA approved. The role of the FDA in regulating medical treatments is a subject of much debate in the US Congress; lobbying on both sides is on-going and controversial. Proponents of Alternative Medicine Despite the reluctance of many conventional practitioners to embrace alternative medicine, many Americans are dissatisfied with traditional medicine and are using methods such as yoga, meditation, herbs, the Atkins diet, and even prayer as a means of treatment. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is part of the National Institute of Health, conducted a survey in 2002, and found that 36 percent of Americans had used some form of alternative medicine. If prayer was added as a treatment, the number rose to 61 percent. A BBC survey of British citizens found that 40 percent turned to alternative medicine in some form. Dr. Andrew Weil's popularity and frequent appearances on Larry King and other mainstream media outlets demonstrates the high degree of interest in complementary medicine in the United States. At present, 19 medical schools in the country offer degrees in Osteopathy (DO), which is a major source of alternative and complementary medicine. Those who use and advocate for alternative medicine cite: Increased patient empowerment Better pain management Increased stress reduction The holistic and preventative approach to treatments as being highly desirable and lacking in conventional medicine. A 1998 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (May 20, 1998, Vol. 279, #19) by John A. Astin, PhD, asks, “Why Patients Use Alternative Medicine.” Dr. Astin found that those who were highly educated and reporting poorer health than the average person were most supportive of alternative medicine -- not so much because of dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, but because alternative medicine was more in line with their value system. In short, these people wanted more control over their treatments and more choice in how their healthcare is provided. By Eve Visconti Related Links: Wikipedia - Alternative Medicine Wikipedia definition of alternative medicine.