What is alternative medicine? Does it do any good? Why do people pay money for it? The popularity of alternative medicine has increased dramatically in recent years, but understanding of scientific medicine hasn't. There are a lot of books out there which promote various alternative treatments, like homeopathy and acupuncture, but not as many which take a skeptical, critical look at the industry.
1) Handbook of Religion and Health
Is religion good for your health? For a long time, religion and medicine were closely intertwined, with healthcare generally relying heavily upon the ideas created by religious tradition. In the modern age, the two diverged and medicine became a subject of scientific research. Today, however, religion and medicine may be moving closer together again - but should they?
2) Nature Cures
The use of so-called "complimentary and alternative medicines" has been widespread in America; by all accounts, its popularity increased dramatically during the late 20th century. At the same time, the effectiveness of scientific medicine has also increased, and the outlook of what scientific medicine may be able to achieve in the coming decades continues to improve. Why does this dichotomy exist?
3) Homeopathy: How It Really Works
Homeopathy is one of the most popular of the various alternative medical treatments, bringing in around USD $1.5 billion a year. It's also one of the oldest, having been created by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the mid-19th century. Considering its age and popularity, is there anything at all to the treatments? Do they work?
4) Healing Yourself with Wishful Thinking
Can meditation really help you achieve optimum physical and psychological health? Can you really get in touch with a spirit guide who will help you make the right decisions in life? Can wishful thinking really make you better looking, richer, and cure your acne? Is self-delusion the key rather than an obstacle to happiness?
5) Science Meets Alternative Medicine
There's an awful lot in the news and in society about "alternative
medicines" these days. By some estimates, it's an industry doing between
$15 and $20 billion annually - and growing! With that kind of national
influence, it's valid to wonder what it is, why it's so popular, and how
effective it is.
6) Health Robbers
Today, modern medical science has more to offer to people in terms of
treatments and cures than ever before, and the situation is improving every
year. So why is it that so many people keep turning to treatments like herbs
and acupuncture which have not been scientifically demonstrated to offer any
help whatsoever?
7) Examining Holistic Medicine
A wide variety of "alternative" medical treatments are currently
offered and employed, all falling under the label "holistic." What
are "holistic" medicines, and do they offer a legitimate
alternative to traditional medicine? Or are they instead just a misguided
attempt to alleviate the suffering of individuals who are anxious for any
sign of hope?
8) Mystical Diets
Alternative "medicines" are very popular in the United States, and
there is an ever-increasing obsession with diet and nutrition. Taken
together, the result is a wide variety of quack diets and alternative
"nutrition" programs which tend to appeal to people's gullibility
and desire to believe in a supernatural world.
9) Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
On the one hand, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly popular over the past years. On the other hand, much of the medical establishment continues to be at least skeptical, if not outright hostile, to CAM treatments. Why does this difference exist? Is the public simply ignorant of science, or is the scientific establishment trying to protect its power?
10) Alternative Healthcare
Alternative medical treatments take a number of different forms, but a great
many of them share in common a "mystical" or
"supernatural" foundation which makes them quite distinct from
traditional, scientific medical practices. Just what is the nature of these
mystical views, and do they provide as solid of a foundation as science
has?


