Alternative medicine and health: is it worth it to trust?
Section 1: Definition and classification of alternative medicine
Alternative medicine (AM) is a wide range of therapeutic practices that are not included in the sphere of generally accepted medicine (also known as conventional, biomedical or Western medicine). It is important to note that the border between alternative and generally accepted medicine is dynamic and changes over time. Practices that were once considered alternative can be integrated into generally accepted medicine if their safety and effectiveness are proved.
There are many ways to classify AM, but one of the most common is the division into five main categories proposed by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) in the USA:
- Natural products: This category includes herbs, vitamins, minerals, probiotics and other natural products that are used to treat or prevent diseases. Examples: Echinacea for the treatment of colds, St. John’s wort during depression, glucosamine and chondroitin in osteoarthritis.
- Mind and body: These practices are aimed at the interaction between mind, body and spirit. They include meditation, yoga, hypnosis, acupuncture, tai-chi and qigong. These methods are often used to reduce stress, relieve pain and improve overall well -being.
- Treatment systems: This category includes whole treatment systems such as traditional Chinese medicine (TKM), Ayurveda and Homeopathy. These systems have their own theories about health and illness and use various methods to restore balance in the body.
- Practices based on manipulation and body: These practices include manual therapy, massage and craniosacral therapy. They are aimed at restoring the correct position and functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
- Energy medicine: This category includes practices that work with “energy fields”, as stated, surrounding and piercing the body. Examples: rails, therapeutic touch and biomagnetic therapy. This category often causes the greatest disputes due to the lack of scientific confirmation of the existence of these energy fields.
It is important to emphasize that the classification is not strict, and some methods may fall into several categories. For example, acupuncture can be considered as the practice of “mind and body” or as part of the treatment system (TKM).
Section 2: Scientific evidence of the effectiveness of various methods
The effectiveness of AM methods is the subject of constant scientific research and debate. It is important to critically evaluate available information and rely on the results of high-quality studies, such as randomized controlled tests (RCTs) and meta analysis.
- Acupuncture: There is evidence confirming the effectiveness of acupuncture in some conditions, such as chronic back pain, headaches of tension and osteoarthritis of the knee joint. However, the mechanisms of action of acupuncture have not been fully studied, and some studies suggest that its effect may be associated with placebo.
- Yoga: Studies show that yoga can be useful for reducing stress, anxiety, depression and improving the quality of life. She can also relieve back pain and neck.
- Meditation: Meditation, especially the practice of awareness (MindFulness), demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing stress, improving concentration of attention and emotional regulation.
- Massage: Massage can help relieve muscle pain, reduce stress and improve blood circulation. It is often used to treat back and neck pain.
- Herbs and food additives: The effectiveness of herbs and food additives varies greatly. Some, such as fish oil for cardiovascular diseases or fiber for constipation, have sufficient evidence in support of their use. Others, such as St. John’s wort with depression, can be effective, but have potential interactions with drugs. Many herbs and additives do not have sufficient scientific evidence confirming their effectiveness, and may be unsafe.
- Homeopathy: Homeopathy is based on the principle of “like this” and uses extremely diluted solutions of substances. Most scientific studies have not found evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy exceeding the placebo effect.
- Manual therapy (chiropractic): Manual therapy can be effective for treating pain in the lower back. However, its use for the treatment of other conditions, such as headaches or children’s colic, is less justified.
- Energy medicine: Most of the methods of energy medicine do not have scientific evidence confirming their effectiveness. Many experts believe that their effect is associated with placebo or the patient’s faith in treatment.
It is important to emphasize that even if a certain AM method has shown effectiveness in some studies, this does not mean that it will be effective for everyone. The effectiveness of treatment depends on many factors, including the patient’s health, his individual characteristics and the qualifications of a specialist.
Section 3: Risk and safety of alternative medicine
Although many methods of AM are considered safe, there are potential risks that you should know about:
- Putting or rejection of the necessary treatment: The most serious risk associated with AM is to deposit or refuse to appeal to generally accepted medicine for serious diseases. This can lead to a deterioration in the state of health and even death.
- Side effects: Some methods of AM, such as herbs and food additives, can cause side effects, especially when interacting with drugs. It is important to always tell your doctor about all the methods of the AM that you use.
- Insufficient qualifications of specialists: Not all experts in the field of AM have sufficient qualifications and experience. It is important to choose specialists with a good reputation and license (if necessary in your country).
- Fraud and quackery: In the field of AM, unfortunately, there are many scammers and charlatans who promise a cure for any disease for a lot of money. It is important to be vigilant and not trust unreasonable promises.
- Pollution of herbs and food additives: Herbs and food additives can be polluted by heavy metals, pesticides or other hazardous substances. It is important to choose products from reliable manufacturers who conduct quality control.
- Interactions with drugs: Many herbs and food additives can interact with drugs, which can lead to undesirable side effects or reducing the effectiveness of drugs.
Section 4: Why do people turn to alternative medicine?
There are many reasons why people turn to am:
- Dissatisfaction with generally accepted medicine: Some people are disappointed with generally accepted medicine, considering it a symptoms too oriented towards the treatment, and not to eliminate the causes of the disease.
- Search for a more “natural” approach: Many people prefer AM, considering it more “natural” and less invasive than generally accepted medicine.
- Chronic diseases: People with chronic diseases, such as back pain, fibromyalgia or irritable intestine, often turn to AM in search of alleviating symptoms that cannot be controlled with the help of generally accepted medicine.
- Prevention of diseases: Some people use AM to prevent diseases and improve overall well -being.
- Cultural and religious beliefs: Cultural and religious beliefs can play an important role in choosing treatment methods.
- Lack of access to generally accepted medicine: In some regions, access to generally accepted medicine is limited, and people turn to AM as a single available option.
- The power of faith and placebo: Faith in the effectiveness of treatment and the placebo effect can play an important role in improving health status.
Section 5: placebo and its role in alternative medicine
A placebo is an inert substance or a procedure that has no pharmacological effect, but can have a therapeutic effect. The placebo effect is due to psychological factors, such as belief in the treatment, expectation and hope of the patient.
The placebo effect can play a significant role in AM effect. Many methods of AM that do not have scientific evidence of effectiveness can have a positive effect on the patient’s health due to the placebo effect.
It is important to understand that the placebo effect is a real and powerful phenomenon. It can relieve pain, reduce stress and improve the quality of life. However, the placebo effect cannot cure serious diseases, such as cancer or diabetes.
Section 6: Integrative medicine: combination of generally accepted and alternative medicine
Integrative medicine (MI) is an approach to treatment, which unites generally accepted and alternative medicine. They are involved in the use of the most effective methods of treatment, regardless of their origin, taking into account the individual needs of the patient.
Basic principles to them:
- Patient orientation: Treatment should be aimed at satisfying the individual needs of the patient, and not only at the treatment of the disease.
- Focus on prevention: They are paid to great attention to the prevention of diseases and maintaining health.
- Integration of various treatment methods: They are united by generally accepted and alternative medicine, using the most effective methods of treatment, regardless of their origin.
- Interaction between the patient and the doctor: They are involved in an active interaction between the patient and the doctor in which the patient plays an active role in the treatment process.
- Scientific validity: It seeks to use methods of treatment, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by scientific research.
It becomes more and more popular, since it offers a more holistic and individualized approach to treatment. However, it is important to remember that not all methods of AM are suitable for integration into generally accepted medicine. It is important to choose methods whose efficiency and safety are confirmed by scientific research.
Section 7: How to correctly evaluate information about alternative medicine
There is a huge amount of information about AM on the Internet and the media, and not all of it is reliable. It is important to be able to critically evaluate available information and rely on reliable sources.
Tips for assessing information about AM:
- Check the source of information: Pay attention to the source of information. Reliable sources are scientific journals, medical organizations and state institutions.
- Look for evidence: Make sure that allegations of the effectiveness of the AM method are supported by scientific evidence.
- Be careful with jokes: Anecdotal evidence (personal stories) is not scientific evidence.
- Do not trust unreasonable promises: Be careful with the promises of cure for any disease.
- Consult a doctor: Before using any method, consult your doctor.
Section 8: Alternative medicine and children
The use of AM in children requires special caution. It is important to remember that children are more vulnerable to side effects and interactions with drugs.
Recommendations for the use of AM in children:
- Do not use AM to treat serious diseases in children: In case of serious diseases in children, it is necessary to refer to generally accepted medicine.
- Consult a pediatrician: Before using any method of AM in a child, consult a pediatrician.
- Be careful with herbs and food additives: Herbs and food additives can be dangerous for children.
- Choose qualified specialists: When choosing an AM specialist for a child, make sure that he has experience working with children.
- Do not put off your doctor: If the condition of the child worsens, do not postpone the doctor.
Section 9: Alternative medicine and cancer
Using AM for Cancer is a controversial question. Some people use AM in addition to generally accepted medicine to facilitate the side effects of treatment and improve the quality of life. Others use AM instead of generally accepted medicine, which can be dangerous.
It is important to remember that AM cannot cure cancer. The only way to cure cancer is to use methods of generally accepted medicine, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
If you consider the possibility of using AM for cancer, it is important to discuss this with your oncologist. Some methods of AM can interact with cancer drugs or interfere with their effectiveness.
Section 10: Legal aspects of alternative medicine
Legal regulation is varied in different countries. In some countries, some methods of AM are recognized and regulated by the state, and in others – no.
It is important to know the legal aspects of AM in your country. Find out what methods of AM are allowed, what requirements are for specialists in the field of AM and what rights you have as a patient.
Section 11: The Future of Alternative Medicine
The future of AM is associated with further scientific research and integration of effective and safe methods in generally accepted medicine.
It is expected that in the future they will play an increasingly important role in the healthcare system.
It is important to continue to critically evaluate the information about AM and rely on reliable sources.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of alternative medicine, covering its definition, classification, scientific evidence, risks, reasons for use, the role of placebo, integrative medicine, how to evaluate information, use in children and cancer, legal aspects, and the future of the field. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and consulting with healthcare professionals.