Alternative Medicine Essay -- Doctors Treatment Illness Papers

Alternative Medicine Although "Alternative" or "Complementary" medicine has been kept on the fringes of the medical sciences in the past, it is becoming increasingly more popular, and more reputable. Alternative medicines are those medical systems which are not taught to or practiced by most conventional medical doctors. Alternative medicines seemingly have always existed, changing and conforming to the current climate of society. There seems to be an almost endless number of alternative medicines, each with their own method of gaining perfect health. Often people who are dissatisfied with conventional medicine turn to alternative medicine for their medical needs. Many similarities link the diverse extremities of alternative medicine. These links define alternative medicine, but also help explain why they remain so controversial. They are characterized by a lack of unbiased, scientific testing, the belief in a vital force that cannot be explained scientifically, and a lack of strict regulation ensuring c ompetency and consistency among practitioners. Although these similarities exist a distinct separation must also be made between two types of alternative medical systems. The first type includes those that have "strong intellectual foundations and time tested methods of maintaining health and curing diseases" (Micozzi A48). These have established training and practice procedures and large numbers of practitioners and patients. Micozzi includes homeopathy, herbal treatment, chiropractic medicine, traditional osteopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture) in this first type of alternative medical systems. These are contrasted with what he refers to as "magic bullet" treatments which are usually for a specific dise... ...ailable: http//www.doubleclickd.com/theramessage.html [1996, Nov. 16]. Langone, John. "Challenging the Mainstream." Time. 148.14, 40-44, Fall, 1996. Magner, George. Chiropractic: The Victim's Perspective. Prometheus Books. Amhearst, New York: 1995. Marwick, Charles. "Time for New Head, New Approach at OAM." JAMA. 272.23, 1806-8, Dec 21, 1994. Micozzi, Marc S. "The need to Teach Alternative Medicine." The Chronicle of Higher Education. 42.9, A48, Aug. 16, 1996. Miller, James. "Critical Thinking of the Treating of Diseases: How to Avoid Quackery." Lecture Notes. The National Center for Homeopathy. (No date). Homeopathy: Natural Medicine for the 21st Century [Online]. Available: http://www.healthy.net/pan/pa/homepathic/natcenhom/ [1996, Nov. 16]. Young, James Harvey. American Health Quackery. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey: 1992. Alternative Medicine Essay -- Doctors Treatment Illness Papers Alternative Medicine Although "Alternative" or "Complementary" medicine has been kept on the fringes of the medical sciences in the past, it is becoming increasingly more popular, and more reputable. Alternative medicines are those medical systems which are not taught to or practiced by most conventional medical doctors. Alternative medicines seemingly have always existed, changing and conforming to the current climate of society. There seems to be an almost endless number of alternative medicines, each with their own method of gaining perfect health. Often people who are dissatisfied with conventional medicine turn to alternative medicine for their medical needs. Many similarities link the diverse extremities of alternative medicine. These links define alternative medicine, but also help explain why they remain so controversial. They are characterized by a lack of unbiased, scientific testing, the belief in a vital force that cannot be explained scientifically, and a lack of strict regulation ensuring c ompetency and consistency among practitioners. Although these similarities exist a distinct separation must also be made between two types of alternative medical systems. The first type includes those that have "strong intellectual foundations and time tested methods of maintaining health and curing diseases" (Micozzi A48). These have established training and practice procedures and large numbers of practitioners and patients. Micozzi includes homeopathy, herbal treatment, chiropractic medicine, traditional osteopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture) in this first type of alternative medical systems. These are contrasted with what he refers to as "magic bullet" treatments which are usually for a specific dise... ...ailable: http//www.doubleclickd.com/theramessage.html [1996, Nov. 16]. Langone, John. "Challenging the Mainstream." Time. 148.14, 40-44, Fall, 1996. Magner, George. Chiropractic: The Victim's Perspective. Prometheus Books. Amhearst, New York: 1995. Marwick, Charles. "Time for New Head, New Approach at OAM." JAMA. 272.23, 1806-8, Dec 21, 1994. Micozzi, Marc S. "The need to Teach Alternative Medicine." The Chronicle of Higher Education. 42.9, A48, Aug. 16, 1996. Miller, James. "Critical Thinking of the Treating of Diseases: How to Avoid Quackery." Lecture Notes. The National Center for Homeopathy. (No date). Homeopathy: Natural Medicine for the 21st Century [Online]. Available: http://www.healthy.net/pan/pa/homepathic/natcenhom/ [1996, Nov. 16]. Young, James Harvey. American Health Quackery. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey: 1992.