The very definition of alternative medicine as viewed in the Western culture is that it has not consistently proven to be effective. This means it could be untested , experimental or tested and found wanting in containing the healing qualities expected in the West.
One reason for that could be that the effectiveness of alternative medicine is difficult to test in clinical trials. Another reason is that many alternative medical treatments are not patentable. This could result in less research funding for them.
Alternative medicines, however, seem to be making inroads and not only with consumers. For example, a recent survey of US hospitals suggested that 37% offer one or more alternative therapies. This is up from 26.5% just three years prior.
Reasons People Use Alternative Medicine
There are several reasons people across all countries continue to be drawn to the use of alternative medicine therapies.
One could be some of the extraordinary claims and subsequent strong marketing campaigns on some alternative medicines like natural herbs or berries for weight loss. These claims can influence a person already distrustful of Western medicine or ignorant of its scientific basis.
Another reason is that people are denied access to modern health care because of expense or the lack of private or public health insurance. This leads them to seek out lower cost, more readily available alternative treatments when they get ill.
Patient can also be wary of the painful, unpleasant side effects of some bio-medical treatments. For example, treatments for severe diseases like cancer or HIV can have significant life altering side effects. Even some lower risk medications have been known to cause severe reactions in patients. Individuals sensitive to this and adverse to having to undergo uncomfortable side effects, could find refuge in the more natural approach many of the alternative therapies appear to bring to their healing origins.
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s, such as scalpels, was to be avoided. Foot reflexology is a great example of a non-invasive technique which produces results in those who experience the procedure.