ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Introduction

Medicine has gone leaps and bounds over the past ten to twenty years. What was once perceived as impossible is now possible as a result of the concentration on research and development. Today countries like United Kingdom, United States of America and China are some of the leading countries within this field. However, as traditional medicine has progressed smoothly, experts are now being open to options such as alternative and complementary medicine. These encompass various practices that are beyond the boundaries of western medicine and are based on a multifaceted system of natural remedies which in turn have been incorporated into, as a part of conventional medicine. The cures provided by alternative and complementary medicine help individuals gain their strength without any adverse reaction which they might have been subjected to, if treated with the traditional medicine hence ultimately allowing them a chance to lead a normal, healthy life (RCN Online, 2003)

This research paper talks about the healthcare system in the United States. It starts by talking about the importance of alternative and complimentary therapies and how it has made a place for itself within the United Kingdom's health care system. Furthermore, it not only concentrates on the value of alternative therapies but also critically examines the impact of the current dominant scientific paradigm in relation to the use and acceptability of aromatherapy.

Alternative and complimentary therapies in UK

Alternative medicine is used to describe any kind of healing process which does not include treatments through conventional medicine. It is usually based on cultural or historic traditions as compared to the availability of scientific evidence. Alternative medicines tend to originate from a diversified range of foundations and methodologies, with its roots in folk knowledge, spiritual beliefs and newly conceived methods of healing. Whereas, the complimentary therapies tend to include all those additional treatments, given in addition to the prescribed medicines given by the doctor. Some of the most prominent alternative medicine practices involve:

Yoga

Hypnosis

Acupuncture

Aromatherapy

Massages

According to a group of studies conducted in over 13 countries in 1998, approximately 31% of the cancer patients tend to lean towards some kind of combination of alternative and complementary medicine. However, these alternative medicine or treatment practices tend to vary along with country to country. Moreover, in countries such as Austria and Germany, physicians make use of both alternative and complementary medicine in their practice whereas in countries like United States of America, at least half of the American alternative practitioners tend to be physicians as well. Medicinal herbs tend to be very strictly monitored and regulated in Germany and are only prescribed by doctors or other licensed health examiners. (RCN Online, 2003)

Factors that influence policies for alternative and complementary therapies in UK

According to recent studies, complementary therapies have been gaining an increasing popularity in United Kingdom and seem to have found a strong foothold for itself in health care. However, there is still no substantial evidence how far they have been integrated within nursing, except for the occasional articles in journals that emphasizes on the ...