Alternative Therapies for Medical Needs - Essay Example

Alternative Therapies Introduction Alternative therapies for medical needs have been around for centuries but traditional medical science has only just begun to seriously evaluate the nature and effectiveness of the complimentary and alternative medicine which are in use today. Despite some doubts, research conducted on the topic has shown us that there is certainly some value to be found in the treatment of certain diseases through alternative means. Further, it must be understood that dissatisfaction with western medicine and even technology itself may have fueled the popularity of alternative therapies. The Reason The reason why so many have chosen alternative therapies in preference to western medicine seems to be the hope and comfort which is offered by alternative medicine to individuals who have been alienate by traditional medicinal methods (Weil, 2006). The concept of alternative medicine has been present with using mainstream medicine for several years. Most Importantly, there is some body of scientific knowledge that accepts alternative treatments and shows how they can be effective in certain situations. The current problem with alternative medicine is the problem of judging effectiveness as well as its usefulness since we live in a world where mainstream medicine is taken as the tried and tested path while the foundations of alternative medicine may remain shaky. This is particularly true when it comes to researching the effects of a drug and evaluating the benefits of a given cure. Mainstream medicine seems to have a more stringent methodology than any form of complimentary and alternative (CAM) therapy. At the same time, there is evidence and even a body of scientific knowledge that suggests alternative treatments may be useful and that they may be effective in some situations. For example, Weil (2006) supports the use of CAM therapy even though he is more focused on using the mainstream of medicine as the primary form of treatment. His approach and outlook towards complimentary and alternative medicine focuses on the idea of well being, nutrition and exercise which are in essence the same recommendations as those made by traditional doctors. He calls this ‘integrative medicine’ which uses principles from both alternative medical practices and traditional medical practices. Benefits and Risks The benefits and risks of alternative medicine depend on the viewpoint taken by an individual and the manner in which the topic is studied. Hankey (2005) seems to have great respect for the benefits of one form of alternative medicine known as Ayurvedic medicine and notes that: “Having watched many medical colleagues and other friends learn the ancient system and be amazed at its power and simplicity, healthy respect seems well-merited. It appears that Ayurveda represents a valid way of looking at physiology, containing insights about its structure and function, which we in the West have somehow missed (Hankey, 2005, p. 222)”. The actual benefits of complimentary and alternative medicine may be sketchy to point out exactly but some studies have shown that certain therapies have had beneficial results for certain patients. For example, Silva and Cignolini (2005) describe their experiences with a set of autistic children that were given alternative therapy through massage treatment twice every week from a professional massage therapist. The massage treatment was also given to the children once per day from their parents. After eight weeks of massage therapy, the children took standardized tests that gave positive results and showed that they the same children had less inclination towards displaying autistic behavior. They had increased in their language development skills, motor skills and even their sensory functions. Clearly, there are implications as to how Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) can be used to help patients suffering from a wide range of diseases but it is clear that further research in this area is warranted. Navo et. al. (2004) note that as a part of CAM, nutritional therapy appears to be a valuable aid when it comes to traditional medical treatment and may be used to assist in dealing with some symptoms of certain diseases. Undoubtedly, there are certain benefits to be found in such therapies which lead individuals to use them. However, both Navo et. al. (2004) and Quill et. al. (2000) note that there are certain risks connected with CAM. The most important risk is that patients may stop using traditional medicine completely and focus entirely on unproven CAM techniques to treat their ailments. Further, even if CAM is to be used, patients are recommended to consult with their physicians regarding the usefulness of a particular treatment. This is particularly true when any alternative treatment uses medicinal or nutritional supplements for the patient. For example, the WHO (2005) has reported that certain medicines which have been recommended by some practitioners of alternative medicine in India been found to have heavy metal contents which may be very harmful in some cases. However, the report also notes that these medications were made by unlicensed factories where there are no quality controls or quantitative measures to sustain quality. The right kind of medication for the patient becomes critically important when it comes to CAM (Hardy et. al., 2005). The Future In my personal opinion, it seems that CAM is here to stay and will certainly need better regulation and more studies to make sure that the usefulness of the treatment is established. Additionally, as it is done in traditional medicine, individuals who need help with CAM should be given the opportunity to find out the best CAM practitioners they can access in their area. Further, those who practice CAM should be put through a licensing process which is evaluated and tested by the governing body of their particular field. Beyond that, CAM practitioners should be give some training in regular medicine so they are aware of the principles applied therein. Conclusion In conclusion, continued research and study of the application, usefulness and even validity of CAM has to be undertaken on the same levels as it is done for traditional medicine. The parameters and regulations including the drug approval process which regular pharmaceutical companies have to follow should also be applied to CAM medications since they are being used to treat the same problems as traditional medicine. Ayurvedic medicine may not work for everyone and anyone but for those who have gained a better a life out of using it; it is certainly a good thing. Works Cited Hankey, A. 2005, ‘The Scientific Value of Ayurveda’, Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 221-225. Hardy, M. et. al. 2005, ‘Are Ayurvedic herbs for diabetes effective?’, Journal of Family Practice, vol. 54, no. 10, pp. 876-886. Navo, M. et. al. 2004, ‘An Assessment of the Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medication in Women With Gynecologic or Breast Malignancies’, Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 671-677. Quill, T. et. al. 2000, ‘Palliative Treatments of Last Resort: Choosing the Least Harmful Alternative’, Medicine and Public Issues, vol. 132, no. 6, pp. 488-493. Silva, L. and Cignolini, A. 2005, ‘A Medical Qigong Methodology for Early Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series’, American Journal of Chinese Medicine, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 315-327. Weil, A. 2006, ‘Interview: Andrew Weil’, [Online] Available at: http://www.pbs.org./wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/altmed/interviews/weil.html WHO. 2005, ‘Ayurvedic medicines and heavy metals’, WHO Drug Information, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 215-216. Read More