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Alternative Medicines: Which ones work, which ones don’t, and which ones are still being tested?

Cory Swonson

Kaplan University

CM109-29

Dr. Melody Pickle

March, 09, 2010

Alternative Medicines: Which ones work, which ones don’t, and which ones are still being tested?

Some alternative treatments have shown little promise, yet other alternative medicines have been proven in clinical trials to be very effective. People who seek out alternative medicines or Complementary medicine (CAM) modalities expect positive outcomes, and find the personalized aspect of CAM to be appealing. Keep in mind, it is important to know which alternative medicines have been proven effective, which ones have not been proven effective, and which of those are still undergoing testing when seeking treatment, so that a person can make a well- informed educated decision.

People from all walks of life have practiced different methods (modalities) of healing. Some have been practiced for thousands of years before now, and some alternative methods have not been around as long. When different ailments or disease strike, there are a slew of treatments and methods to consider.

Basically there are two choices: Eastern or Western conventional medicine. Conventional medicine is the dominant form of medicine practiced in the United States, and it is proven by scientific methods. Despite this fact, alternative medicine has been in use for hundreds of years and the number of users continues to grow. The other is the older more refined Eastern methodology revolving around a “holistic approach to health and wellness.”

The focus of this article is on alternative medicine. Alternative medicine is the use of alternative medicine alone. It can be acupuncture. Homeopathy, massage therapy, CAM (Complimentary alternative medicine), as an alternative medicine that accompanies conventional medicine to enhance its effects. There have been many case studies involving alternative therapies and CAM, a lot of which has been published over the years regarding.

For example, by the late 1990s, The House of Lords Select Committee estimated that approximately 15 million Britain residents practiced homeopathic and alternative remedies, and nearly 33.3% of English adults are estimated to consult with CAM (complimentary and alternative medicine) doctors or utilize self-prescribed remedies (Sointu, 2006). In 1991, at a cost of $13.7 billion, an estimated 34% of Americans used Complementary alternative medicine (Barrett et. al., 2003). This is a fairly high number of people who consult homeopathic doctors.

There seems to be a growing conclusion about the efficacy of alternative therapy and with so many doctors requesting training in alternative and CAM therapies, that conclusion seems to be solid. CAM is becoming extremely popular simply because the patient is treated holistically (as a whole), and there is simply more self-empowerment for the patient (Sointu, 2006). The more personalized a physician can become with a patient as a whole would have a direct effect on the effective outcome of positive treatment. This treatment approach seems ideal this day and age, on a global, as the world becomes much more closely knit.

We are becoming a universal society. With so any people traveling day to day, people get ill more frequently. When they do they like to get to the root of the problem to feel better right away. Some people take herbal remedies to treat themselves for colds and flu’s, and some still rely on prescription and over-the-counter medications. Many western medicines have been known to address the symptoms rather than attacking the actual “root” of the disease. There is also a handful or more of undesirable side-effects that follow its use. Alternative medicine treatments however, involve everything from personal work conditions, eating and social habits, and stress levels.

To illustrate this, modalities such as yoga, prayer, meditation, faith healing, herbal use, and massage have all played roles throughout the ages as holding healing properties. In fact, in 2000, a group of 400 participants rated 39 different complementary medicine treatments. These treatments were rated on four dimensions: heard of it, know how it works, ever tried it, and efficacy. The participants rated everything from acupuncture to yoga. Many participants rated therapies such as: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, meditation, relaxation therapy and yoga, the highest from the list of modalities (Furnham, 2000). In another scenario, Furnham (2000), carried out a study asking pre-clinical medical students about their thoughts and feelings about CAM and found the majority to respond with a positive attitude.

Everyone’s body chemistry is different so everyone should be treated on a personalized level. Alternative methods are said to be gentle where as conventional medicine can be harsh and unsafe. Just take a look at the extensive and horrific side effects of conventional medicines, and then take a look at alternative medicine side effects. It is shocking! Despite these side effects, some people still find their answer in traditional Western medicine.

However, consumers are looking towards alternative medicines more than ever in search of relief, or a cure. Likewise, alternative and complementary medicines have become more popular over the past few decades (Sointu, 2006). Throughout developed countries around the world homeopathy has attracted considerable research, attention, and criticism (Ernst, 1997; Ernst and Halin, 1998). The numbers continue to rise linearly with increased population.

Even though most people head to the drug store or local pharmacy for drugs, “Approximately a third of English adults are thought to consult alternative and complementary practitioners, each year” (Sointu, 2006). This is a good amount of people who are showing faith in the alternative medicine industry. The reason for this may be that complementary medicine or (CAM) tends to cover all three bases: the social, psychological, and the spiritual qualities of health, and many CAM therapies are not scientifically tested and therefore, there are many skeptics (Barrett et. al, 2003). Most of the time there are personal testimonials, and non-clinical trials that conclude positive outcomes of alternative healing.

The fact is that this day and age many doctors are becoming trained, and more familiar with CAM and other alternative modalities, and incorporating them into their practice. Among 145 general practitioners: 38% had received some training in CAM, and 15% wished to acquire such training, and in 1985, 76% of GP’s had referred patients out for alternative treatment (Furnham, 2000).

There are studies in alternative medicine that have been published in major medical journals like the New England journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Medical Association, and the Lancet (Parlikar, U. & Saunders, D.C., 2001). Researchers are assembling bodies of evidence on everything from kava for depression to spinal manipulation for backaches. Deep breathing can be used to induce an anti-stress effect. Regular massage can help with tension, nerve impingement, and the release of toxins from the body, and regular exercise of 30 at least 30 minutes a day, reduces the risk of many different diseases alone.

People should use caution with CAM, as it can be dangerous in cases when other drugs are being taken as well. Always mention any other supplements or medicines taken to the primary care physician. Question the doctor’s credentials and training background. Is the doctor open-mined and personable? Are they trying to understand the issue at hand, or simply throw a quick fix at the patient? If possible, get a physicians referral. Knowing what choices are available, what’s covered by insurance, and what out-of-pocket expenses there are, will all be deciding factors to play out.

In summary, it is important to know which available alternative medicines have recently been proven effective, which ones are not effective, and which ones are still under going evaluation, so that a person may make an educated decision as to which mode of therapy to choose if any. Doctors all over the world are getting the training they need to treat today’s society of “self-helpers,” and those who are bound by Eastern and Western medicines alike. Due to the fact that physicians are being trained in CAM, means that CAM and specific other alternative therapies must be effective. Talk to a physician today, and get back on the road to recovery!

References

Barrett et al. (2003). Themes of Holism, Empowerment, Access, and Legitimacy Define Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine in Relation to Conventional Biomedicine. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, pp. 937-947.

Ernst, E. (1997). Homeopathy: past, present, and future. British Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, p44, 435-437.

Ernst, E. & Halin, E. (1998) Homeopathy: a critical approach, London: Butterworth Heinemann.

Furnham, A. (2000). Attitudes Toward Homeopathy in Particular and Beliefs About Complementary Medicines in General. Psychology, Health & Medicine. p327-342.

Parlikar, U., Saunders D. C. (2001). What Works…Maybe? Harvard Health Letter, p1.

Sointu, E. (2006). The Search for Well-being in Alternative and Complementary Health Practices. Sociology of Health & Illness. p330-349.

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