For some reason, Australians are turning away from scientific medicine and towards unproven, even nonsensical, new age medical treatments. In 10 years, "alternative" treatments could overtake science.

The Herald Sun explains:

Acupuncture, naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and massage account for nearly 40 per cent of all medical consultations in Australia. ... Surveying 5000 Australians, [the Health Care and Insurance report prepared by Melbourne-based TQA Research] found the number of visits to "Western" doctors fell by 3 per cent in the past two years.

[C]urrent AMA vice-president Mukesh Haikerwal warned some therapies could be dangerous. "We've already seen tragic cases where people have opted out of scientifically based medical care and turned to alternative therapies with disastrous consequences," he said. "It can be extremely dangerous. There's a movement against properly researched medication and safe health regimes. A lot of it is nonsensical when you look at the evidence."

If a treatment can be proven effective via scientific research and studies that employ all of the proper controls, then of course it should be used — but such research places a treatment squarely in the category of "scientific" medicine. It doesn't matter where a treatment originates, medicine becomes "scientific" through proper testing, controls, and practice.

The "alternative" treatments not only haven't generally done any of this, but tend to be recommended by people who object to scientific testing with adequate controls. When someone objects to their beliefs being tested against reality, it's dangerous not to wonder what is going on.

Read More:

• Skepticism & Critical Thinking
• News About Skepticism and the Paranormal
• Alternative Medicine & Faith Healing