Book Reviews: Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
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.
Divination and Healing: Potent Vision
Divination is normally thought of as attempts to tell the future, but it can also encompass any efforts to derive information from an unseen spiritual realm. In cultures all around the world divination has been used for diagnosing ailments, prescribing treatments, and solving all manner of problems. How does divination work in these situations and how effective is it?
Divination is normally thought of as attempts to tell the future, but it can also encompass any efforts to derive information from an unseen spiritual realm. In cultures all around the world divination has been used for diagnosing ailments, prescribing treatments, and solving all manner of problems. How does divination work in these situations and how effective is it?
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?
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?
Nature Cures: The History of Alternative Medicine in America
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.
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.
Mystical Diets: Paranormal, Spiritual and Occult Nutrition
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.
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.
The 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?
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?
Handbook of Religion and Health: A Century of Research Reviewed
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?
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?
Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America
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?
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?
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?
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?
Science Meets Medicine: What the Evidence Says
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! A report in New England Journal of Medicine back in January 1993 showed that about one-third of American adults had sought some sort of unorthodox therapy in the preceding year.
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! A report in New England Journal of Medicine back in January 1993 showed that about one-third of American adults had sought some sort of unorthodox therapy in the preceding year.
Alternative Healthcare: A Comprehensive Guide
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?
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?