Alternative medicine is as effective as conventional medicine

(c)Yusskei, http:/yusskei.net

Alternative medicine“Any of a range of medical therapies that are not regarded as orthodox by the medical profession” (Oxford dictionary, n.d.)

Acupuncture

ChiropracticeAromatherapy

Yoga

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Acupuncture

• Acupuncture release pain

• Acupuncture can’t release pain in the case of some diseases

• Acupuncture is effective, currently excepting some diseases

✓ Acupuncture treatment outperformed sham treatments and standard care regarding osteoarthritis, migraines and chronic back, neck and shoulder pain (O'connor, 2012).

✓Although effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic back pain is confirmed, one for acute low back pain wasn’t (Furlan, et al, 2008).

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Aromatherapy

• Aromatherapy release stress✓Sweet almond oil aromatherapy improved patients’ sleep

patterns in general hospital in the UK (Cannard, 1996).

• Scientific evidence is lacking

• Aromatherapy effect is empirically proved

✓Aromatherapy didn’t lead noticeable physical reaction, such as heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and immune function (Kiecolt-Glaser, et al, 2008).

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Conclusion

• Alternative medicine is wide range of treatments that are not included in medical custom.

• Former study showed;✓ Although some diseases, such as acute low back pain, are

exception, acupuncture is effective, as chronic low back pain was reduced.

✓ In spite of anecdotal treatment, aromatherapy is effective, as stress decreased.

• Alternative medicine is as effective as conventional medicine.

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References1. Brown, C. G. (2013). Buyer beware: Learning to ask why complementary and alternative medicine works.

The Huffington Post. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/candy-gunther-brown-phd/complementary-and-alternative-medicine_b_4503832.html (Accessed: 6 May 2014)

2. Cannard, G. (1996). The effect of aromatherapy in promoting relaxation and stress reduction in a general hospital. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, 2(2), pp38-40.

3. Furlan, A. D., van Tulder, M. W., Cherkin, D., Tsukayama, H., Lao, L., Koes, B. W., Berman, B. M. (2008). Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain (Review). Cochrane review, 4.

4. Hunt, K., Coelho, H., Wider, B., Perry, R., Hung, S., Terry, R., Ernst, E. (2010). Complementary and alternative medicine use in England: Results from a national survey. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 64(11), pp1496-1502.

5. Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Graham, J. E., Malarkey, W.B., Porter, K., Lemeshow, S., Glaser, R. (2008). Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 33(3), pp328-339.

6. Laber-Warren, E. (2005). Relieve pain: Does acupuncture work? Women’s Health [Online]. Available at: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/acupuncture-to-relieve-pain (Accessed: 5 May 2014)

7. O'connor, A. (2012). Acupuncture provides true pain relief in study. The New York Times [Online]. Available at: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/acupuncture-provides-true-pain-relief-in-study/ (Accessed: 5 May 2014)

8. Oxford dictionaries (n.d.). Definition of alternative medicine in English. Oxford dictionaries. Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/alternative-medicine?q=alternative+medicine (Accessed: 5 May 2014)

9. Shakeshaft, J. (2011). Does Aromatherapy Really Work? Greatist. Available at: http://greatist.com/happiness/does-aromatherapy-really-work (Accessed: 5 May 2014)

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