Alternative Medicine

Why is it popular?

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If the standards for alternative medicines are not as high as those for scientific medicines, then why is it that they are so popular? Shouldn't people prefer treatments which have passed strict testing rather than a treatment which hasn't had to endure any such testing and which has been chosen because of its agreement with a metaphysical belief system?

Unfortunately, no. Although we live in a technologically advanced society which is heavily dependent upon scientific practice and standards, many people are still highly suspicious of science itself. Despite all the good science can do, it is also undeniable that science can bring us problems - this is the old "Axemaker's Gift" dilemma. Whoever made the first axe made a fantastic tool - and a nasty weapon.

James Alcock has argued that we should not dismiss those who seek alternative treatments as simply acting irrationally. On the contrary, studies shows that these people have, on the average, more years of formal education than the typical person.

There are a number of rational - or at least seemingly rational - reasons why a person might come to distrust traditional scientific medicines and seek something else. One is that, obviously, many serious diseases do not currently have cures. When people are without much or any hope, it's to be expected that they will go to where they are given some.

Unfortunately, alternative medicines don't have any cures, either. The difference is that traditional practitioners are not as likely to express hopefulness when their medicine fails. "Alternative" practitioners, on the other hand, often encourage patients to be hopeful even when the situation is hopeless. Which is better - truth, or hope?

Another reason for seeking alternatives to scientific medicine is the latter's use of drugs and surgery. People are afraid of both and so seek some other possible treatments for their illnesses. The unfortunate fact is, drugs have side-effects and surgery isn't pleasant.

On the other hand, selective thinking and confirmation bias will lead one to focus only one cases where surgeons amputate the wrong limb or kill a patient by administering too much anesthesia. Ignored are the millions who are alive and well today because of surgery or drugs.

Also ignored is the fact that the herbs often touted by alternative practitioners are also drugs. People imagine, for some reason, that anything labeled "organic" is somehow "safer" than the synthesized and purified substances produced in laboratories.

One of the most understandable reasons why people seek alternative treatments is wholly personal: namely, the personal treatment they receive. Many traditional practitioners treat diseases first and people secondly - this is perceived, justifiably, as being too technocratic and bureaucratic.

Alternative practitioners, on the other hand, claim to be "holistic" - that is to say, they aim to treat the mind, body and soul of their patient. This is unsurprisingly appealing to most people.

Considering the fact that any treatment does better when the patient feels a personal connection with their physician and feels that someone actually cares about them, this should be a wake-up call to traditional medicine. In particular, it should be a wake-up call to HMO's which seek to limit how much time patients can spend with their doctors.