Alternative Medicine

Are “unconventional” therapies becoming accepted?

Introduction

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), ranging from herbal products to chiropractic and acupuncture, continues to grow in popularity. Nearly 40 percent of American adults use alternative therapies, spending some $34 billion annually. Nevertheless, critics cite thousands of studies that question the effectiveness of many of these treatments. In addition, they argue that the safety and quality of herbal products and other supplements can be ensured only if they are subjected to the same rigorous regulation as prescription drugs. But proponents counter that many studies have shown promising practices, especially meditation and other mind-body interventions that reduce stress. Integrating such approaches into conventional medicine, they say, is the best way to provide patient-centered care. Proponents also say the rise of alternative medicine in medical school curricula, ...

locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles