Alternative Medicine

From reflexology and rolfing to shiatsu and dream work, we are confronted today by a welter of alternative medical therapies. But as James Whorton shows in Nature Cures, the recent explosion in alternative medicine actually reflects two centuries of competition and conflict between mainstream medicine and numerous unorthodox systems. This is the first comprehensive history of alternative medicine in America, examining the major systems that have emerged from 1800 to the present. Writing with wit and with fairness to all sides, Whorton offers a fascinating look at alternative health systems such as homeopathy, water cures, Mesmerism, Christian Science, osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, and acupuncture. He highlights the birth and growth of each system (including European roots where appropriate) and vividly describes both the theories and the therapies developed within each system, including such dubious practices as hour-long walks barefoot in snow or Samuel Thompson's "puking and steaming" regimen. In particular, Whorton illuminates the philosophy of "natural healing" that has been espoused by alternative practitioners throughout history and the distinctive interpretations of "nature cure" developed by the different systems. Though he doesn't hesitate to point out the failings of these systems, he also shows that some "cult medicines" have eventually won recognition from practitioners of mainstream medicine. Throughout, Whorton writes with a light touch and quotes from contemporary humorists such as Mark Twain. His book is an engaging and authoritative history that highlights the course of alternative medicine in the U.S., providing valuable background to the wide range of therapies available today.

More than a third of Americans have already begun to explore alternative techniques such as yoga, meditation, nutritional therapies, massage, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbalism, and prayer, but we don't know which approaches to trust, or what accounts for their effectiveness, and our doctors are not able to tell us. We want an authoritative guide to separate what's truly worthwhile from what's simply well promoted, to help us to see what's right for each of us. James S. Gordon is that guide, and Manifesto for a New Medicine is that guidebook. For the last twenty-five years, Dr. Gordon has pioneered an approach to healing that synthesizes the best of modern, scientific medicine with the best of the alternative techniques. Here he leads us step by step through convincing and absorbing case studies of the successful use of these alternatives, presenting clearly and simply the scientific bases for them. He also shows us how each of us can incorporate alternative therapies as an integralpart of our health care and our daily lives.

Takes on controversial issues like alternative treatment for cancer and research funded by pharmaceutical companiesExplores the historical roots of anti-vaccination movementsExamines the role of food in alternative medicine and the health food movement of the mid-20th century

The placebo elicits more passionate debate, scepticism and personal belief than almost any other aspect of medicine. As yet there are no concrete answers - but many challenging observations and powerful effects occur daily in healthcare which need to be examined. This book will stimulate and inform every reader - from the experienced practitioner to the new student - who has ever asked, "What is the placebo really, and why should it matter to me?" Written in an accessible and engaging style with contributions from leading figures in healthcare, it tackles issues of the placebo effect in complementary medicine.

The growth of complementary medicine over the past decade has been accompanied by calls for greater regulation and for the most part it has been assumed that the regulation of orthodox medicine offers a suitable model for complementary medicine. The result has been confusion over the purpose and effects of regulation and the obscuring of critical issues which deserve far greater public exposure. This book unravels the debates and analyses the benefits and drawbacks of regulation in this area. The book has two aims. First of all it examines in some detail the way in which the law presently affects the practice of complementary medicine. The second aim is to examine all the arguments for and against greater regulation of complementary medicine. In fulfilling the second aim it challenges the notion that the legal and regulatory mechanisms which govern orthodox medicine constitute an appropriate model for the regulation of most complementary therapies. The patient-centred, holistic approach central to the theory and practice of many complementary therapies presents a unique problem for the law: the highly individualized intuitive, whole person approach of complementary medicine is not amenable to the quantification, measurability and certainty required by the law. The authors argue that only by implementing a more dynamic form of ethics-directed regulation can patients be protected and the unique contribution that complementary medicine has to make properly realized.

Julie Stone demonstrates that ethical issues are no less relevant to complementary and alternative medicine practitioners than to any other group of health professionals and she provides a detailed framework for these practitioners.

"It will be an eye opener for the public to see that acupuncture is widely practiced and that research in this area is going on . . . all over the world . . . It has been proven many times . . . that acupuncture can work in many cases where conventional medicine has failed." Nelly Tsiving, licensed acupuncturist Throughout history, acupuncture has provided painless, low-cost, non-invasive relief for conditions ranging from back pain and headaches to cancer and AIDS. As Americans seek viable, cost-effective health care alternatives, the benefits of acupuncture are gaining new respect in the West. In this guide, Marie Cargill, a licensed acupuncturist, de-mystifies acupuncture, explaining: * how and why acupuncture works * how acupuncture is effective in most major medical specializations * what you can expect from a visit to the acupuncturist Detailed, direct, and easy-to-follow, Acupuncture will persuade skeptics of the potential for this effective approach to healing.

Connor and Samuel explore the present state of a range of healing traditions in their Asian locales. The peoples examined include relatively remote populations such as the Iban of Sarawak, the Temiar of Malaysia, and the Sasak of Lomboko, as well as rural South Indians and Malays, the people of South Korea's modern industrial cities, and Tibetans both in Chinese-controlled Tibet and in the refugee settlements of North India.