Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. I am unconvinced that it is dangerous, and feel that both alternative and conventional medicine can be useful.
There are several reasons why the conventional medical community is often dismissive of alternatives. Firstly, there has been little scientific research into such medicine, so there is a scarcity of evidence to support the claims of their supporters. Furthermore, people often try such treatment because of recommendations from friends, and therefore come to the therapist with a very positive attitude, which may be part of the reason for the cure. Moreover, these therapies are usually only useful for long-term, chronic conditions. Acute medical problems, such as accidental injury, often require more conventional methods.
On the other hand, there remain strong arguments for the use of alternatives. Despite the lack of scientific proof, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that these therapies work. In addition, far from being dangerous, they often have few or no side effects, so the worst outcome would be no change. One of the strongest arguments for the effectiveness of alternative therapies in the West is that, whilst conventional medicine is available without charge, many people are prepared to pay considerable sums for alternatives. If they were totally unhelpful, it would be surprising if this continued.
I strongly believe that conventional medicine and alternative therapies can and should coexist. They have different strengths, and can both be used effectively to target particular medical problems. The best situation would be for alternative therapies to be used to support and complement conventional medicine.
Alternative
medicine
is not new. It is
accepted
that it
pre-dates
conventional
medicine and
it is
still
used
by
many
people
all over the world. I
am unconvinced
that it is
dangerous
, and feel that both
alternative
and
conventional
medicine
can be useful.
There are several reasons why the
conventional
medical community is
often
dismissive of
alternatives
.
Firstly
, there has been
little
scientific research into such
medicine
,
so
there is a scarcity of evidence to support the claims of their supporters.
Furthermore
,
people
often
try such treatment
because
of recommendations from friends, and
therefore
come
to the therapist with a
very
positive
attitude, which may be part of the reason for the cure.
Moreover
, these
therapies
are
usually
only
useful for long-term, chronic conditions. Acute medical problems, such as accidental injury,
often
require more
conventional
methods.
On the other hand
, there remain strong arguments for the
use
of
alternatives
. Despite the lack of scientific proof, there is
a lot of
anecdotal evidence to suggest that these
therapies
work.
In addition
, far from being
dangerous
, they
often
have few or no side effects,
so
the worst outcome would be no
change
. One of the strongest arguments for the effectiveness of
alternative
therapies
in the West is that, whilst
conventional
medicine
is available without charge,
many
people
are prepared
to pay considerable sums for
alternatives
. If they were
totally
unhelpful, it would be surprising if this continued.
I
strongly
believe that
conventional
medicine
and
alternative
therapies
can and should coexist. They have
different
strengths, and can both be
used
effectively
to target particular medical problems. The best situation would be for
alternative
therapies
to be
used
to support and complement
conventional
medicine
.