Complementary Medicine

This book explores the growth of complementary medicine and its increasing use by the medical profession. It also examines the appeal of complementary medicine, its safety and efficacy and the direction that research into this fascinating topic might take in years to come. Complementary, or alternative, medicine is now widely used in the developed world. It encompasses an enormous range of diagnostic techniques and therapies, many of which are highly valued by both patients and practitioners. Critics of complementary medicine point to the lack of supporting evidence and suggest a variety of dangers and adverse effects. This volume provides a balanced and even-handed review of the evidence and assesses the claims of both advocates and critics. Complementary Medicine: A Research Perspective draws the empirical literature together and examines the effectiveness of complementary medicine for both patients and practitioners by: * Providing an overview of the major alternative therapies, together with their methods and philosophies * Explaining the appeal of complementary medicine to patients * Investigating its relationship with the medical profession * Analysing methods of evaluation and the role of placebo effects * Reviewing the evidence for each of the major therapies * Setting out a research agenda for the future This timely volume is essential reading for both complementary practitioners and those in the orthodox health professions, including GPs, hospital doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, as well as medical and social scientists.