chinesemedicinesolutions.com
There have been several reports from the Associated Press recently regarding studies done on complementary and alternative medicine practices (CAM), showing them to be nothing more than placebos or simply ineffectual. Since much of holistic medicine has been practiced with empirical success for thousands of years, and with the growing popularity of alternative medicine in the United States, one has to wonder if the AP reports are a fair representation of CAM as a whole. Also, where are the reports on the effectiveness and/or risks and benefits of conventional medicine? It is important to always look at both sides fairly in a debate. And, we must recognize, there is indeed, an on going debate between allopathic or conventional medicine, and complementary or alternative medicine.
The Associated Press made brief mention of studies done on echinacea, ginkgo biloba, glucosamine/chondroitin, black cohosh and saw palmetto, stating they “all proved no better than dummy pills in big studies”. The main complaint is that the government is funding research for alternative therapies “that have little if any biological plausibility or scientific evidence”. One researcher is quoted as saying that many of the studies were “irrational and foolish”. (see full article here).
Supporters of alternative medicine criticized some of the studies. For example, the study on echinacea was done using the wrong species of the plant to treat colds. The government agrees more careful study is needed. While mainstream medicine often makes the claim that there is no scientific evidence to support the use of CAM, holistic healers will quickly point out that there is little motivation for large drug companies who typically conduct such research to perform these studies. Why spend millions of dollars researching an herb that cannot be patented, especially when the herb is available over the counter or can be grown in your backyard? Clearly there is a dilemma. Medical research groups have their own agenda, and independent research groups often rely on government grants.
This does not mean, however, that no valid research supporting CAM exists. Natural health care consumers have reported countless beneficial experiences with alternative therapies. Certainly, we cannot ignore the fact that over a third of Americans have used some form of alternative medicine, and spent more than $23 billion on herbs and vitamin supplements in 2007 alone. Those who have tried CAM say simply they are fed up with the side effects of prescription drugs and the risks of invasive surgery. Americans are looking for natural alternatives.
This next series of articles is dedicated to scientific validation of complementary and alternative medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has provided us with some recent evidence, but research has also been done extensively outside the United States in Great Britain, Japan and elsewhere. The next four articles will explore the science behind herbs, acupuncture, yoga and homeopathy. If you would like to get a head start, below are a few good websites to begin your own search.
1. Herbal Research Foundation
2. Homeopathy Research Center
3. Society for Acupuncture Research, and
4. Yoga Science Research of Macedonia
Comments
Hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on testing alternatives to medicine by NCCAM over a decade, with dismal results.
The answer to your complaints is quite simple. When an "alternative" remedy is taken out of story books and tested in a clinical setting, it fails to show effectiveness. This means it doesn't work! However, instead of admitting defeat and moving on to find something that works the alternative to medicine practitioner merely moves the goalpost of proof. The only person this helps is the one that is selling alternatives to medicine!
As far as your misrepresentation of the alternative to medicine business model. Many big pharmaceutical companies are already taking advantage of the lax dietary supplement laws in the US, and are raking in the dough because of it. Your suggestion that there is some conspiracy afoot ignores the reality of the multi-billion dollar alternative to medicine industry.
Shawmutt;
Thanks for your post. Hopefully you will take the time to look at both sides objectively. While much funding has gone to NCCAM, there is so much more research that has been done that has not been reported on. Feel free to follow my next few posts where I will site examples. As always, I welcome your comments.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!