Alternative remedies 'dangerous' for kids says report

[YankeyMCC]

(snip)
Alternative remedies can be dangerous for children and can even prove fatal, according to a study carried out in Australia.

The report warns of possible adverse reactions in youngsters who are given alternative remedies.

Researchers say parents sometimes think remedies are "more natural" with fewer side effects than conventional drugs.
(snip)

(snip)
"All of these treatments can have side effects but there's also a risk of alternative therapies replacing effective treatments.

"So inert remedies like homeopathy, even though they in themselves are harmless, can be life threatening when they replace effective treatments.

"Children don't make decisions themselves about their treatment; very often it is their parents, and parents can be misguided by the 50 million alternative medicine websites. The children are victims of lots of nonsense and false claims."
(snip)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12060507

Kinda feel like saying "No Sh*t." but good to have someone gathering data to demonstrate the dangers of this stuff.

[originalpckelly]

1. If it really worked, it would be regular medicine. EOM.

[kentauros]

5. Some of it is indeed "regular medicine".

The problem is more of a definition of terms. Too many define "alternative medicine" as meaning an "alternative to medicine" instead of the proper "alternative form of medicine." It's all complimentary, not exclusionary :)

[Confusious]

11. When your "alternative Medicine" wipes out a disease like

Say, smallpox, let me know, k?

[kentauros]

19. You've missed my point, or are actively ignoring it.

It's not "this type of medicine or the other type." It's complimentary, i.e., they work together ;)

[Confusious]

20. It doesn't work alone, because otherwise

people would see it for what it is? It can also take credit, where none is due?

Like I said, get back to me when it wipes out a disease like smallpox, then you'll have some proof it works.

[kentauros]

21. Do you think that all healing for any one ailment is done by a single compound?

If so, you don't know much about medicine. I'm no healthcare provider, but even I know that my doctor doesn't rely on one form of medicine to cure me of my ills. And they do recommend home remedies when warranted. That is complementary, or do you not understand the meaning of the word itself? I've linked it to the dictionary in case you need to refresh your memory of the definition.

What I'm getting from your "argument" is that you've done zero research into Complementary Medicine. Whether you look at the NIH site, or Wikipedia, or wherever that discusses it in a fairly neutral light, they all acknowledge that it does some good in certain areas. I don't know the subject well enough to list those successes off the top of my head, but there's Google if you care to research it at all.

But I do get the impression you have no intention of doing that. Better to just tear it down and keep to your narrow view of it, instead of looking at the big and whole picture.

[Confusious]

23. Where's the harm?

From your page:

Patients who use alternative cancer treatments have a poorer survival time, even after controlling for type and stage of disease.<99> This may be because patients who accurately perceive that they are likely to survive do not attempt unproven remedies, and patients who accurately perceive that they are unlikely to survive are attracted to unproven remedies.<99>

No I don't think a doctor does healing with one compound, but I also never said that. What a doctor does do though, is provide healing that has been PROVEN to work through the scientific method.

How does that work? By isolating all outside influences so you can gauge the effect. So they are PROVEN to work.

Every time someone tries that with "alternative medicine" they have all sorts of excuses as to why it didn't work.

So it brings me back to my original question. There is PROOF that regular medicine works. Where is your proof that "alternative medicine" works on it's own? Where is your cure for smallpox? There isn't one, because "alternative medicine" relies on the placebo effect, which doesn't cure real disease.

It has to tag along on the back of real medicine so it can claim to work at all.

If a doctor provides other then healing that has been PROVEN to work through the scientific method, I would say that person is not a doctor, or if he/she really is, needs to have their license pulled.

Better to just tear it down and keep to your narrow view of it, instead of looking at the big and whole picture.

No. I just have the same view of it as I do faith healers and snake oil salesmen. Something designed to take advantage of the desperate. If you believe in "alternative medicine" why not faith healers? Same thing.

"Someone with more dollars then sense"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0

[kentauros]

24. Perhaps you noticed that I freely linked to a site that didn't automatically

give a positive review. I don't expect you to think that I did that on purpose, but I did. Because I'm open to all views, not just the one that science says is the one true answer. Did you look at the NCAM site at all? As I understand the NIH and NCAM, they are also following the scientific method, or did you miss this: "Research-based information on treatments and conditions."

Please correct me if I'm wrong (and I may be) but doesn't "Research-based" strongly imply "scientific method"? If it doesn't, then why would a respected government agency like the NIH allow such a claim on one of their sites?

Here's what you said to me in your previous reply:

It doesn't work alone, because otherwise people would see it for what it is? It can also take credit, where none is due?

This is where I got the implication that you felt that mainstream medicine doesn't need anything else to complement it. If you've ever looked at the content of any OTC medicines (as well as prescription medicines), you would have noticed that they work almost exclusively by one compound, whether that's aspirin, ibuprofen, Diphenhydramine, albuterol sulfate or whatever single compound intended for that particular ailment. However, if you don't want to fall asleep at work or behind the wheel because you needed an antihistamine that really worked without knocking you out, and didn't just steal your money (as happens with me with regards to the various "non-drowsy" medicines) then you'll research the unproven methods and find one that does work. Who cares if it's not proven by science; all that matters is it works for you and right now! ;)

As for your statement that doctors provide healing based on "proven" methods, you might want to look at a thread I noticed in the septics forum about doctors banding together to provide healthcare with unproven methods. I don't recall the specifics of the thread, only that the subject was being mocked, for obvious reasons.

Now, to address your last comment, because I'm getting the impression that your reading comprehension, or perhaps your reading attention, is lacking. Here's my second paragraph again, with a few key words highlighted, so you won't ass-u-me:

What I'm getting from your "argument" is that you've done zero research into Complementary Medicine. Whether you look at the NIH site, or Wikipedia, or wherever that discusses it in a fairly neutral light, they all acknowledge that it does some good in certain areas. I don't know the subject well enough to list those successes off the top of my head, but there's Google if you care to research it at all.

So, you're not reading carefully, and you're not researching, other than to find that which backs up your assertion that all "alternative" medicine is bad. Whereas I am taking the position that it hasn't all been thoroughly researched, though there is at least one respected government agency attempting to do just that, and publishes unbiased reports. That is, if it doesn't work, they'll say so, just as they'll also say so if a certain complementary approach does work.

I'm completely open to things not working in CAM, as well as allopathic medicine. (We've seen that often enough, haven't we?) There are plenty of methods I'm wary about, too, but will continue to research all avenues, not just those by accepted sources. Again, it's always best to get the whole picture, instead of the narrow-focused one.


Okay, you can ignore everything I've said above, if you'll answer the following questions:

Why argue with me at all, when you know you won't convince me to think differently?

Do you truly care and have compassion for those people willing to use alternative methods to heal themselves and you want to convince them otherwise with the same compassion and caring attitude?

Or is it really that you are disgusted that people aren't just doing as you (and others) say and using whatever the mainstream dictates as proper medicine, based solely on proven science?

[Confusious]

25. If there is research done using the scientific method and it works

It falls out of the category of "alternative." It becomes real medicine. I would rather go to a doctor who uses techniques and medicine that are proven to work all the time then one that uses techniques and medicine that 1% works, 99% bullshit. you said it yourself:

they all acknowledge that it does some good in certain areas.

Which implies that it only works some of the time.

I don't have a reading comprehension problem. I just ignored it. I've read plenty about "alternative medicine." I don't make up my mind until I know something about it. I read about it and decided it was bullshit. There was no proof that it worked beyond the placebo effect.

What really pisses me off is the attempt by "alternative medicine" to pollute real medicine. They want to be taken seriously and included in real medicine without proof that the shit they do even works. If they hadn't done that, then I could care less.

Why argue with me at all, when you know you won't convince me to think differently?

Ask yourself that question.

Do you truly care and have compassion for those people willing to use alternative methods to heal themselves and you want to convince them otherwise with the same compassion and caring attitude?

If they think it will work for them, then fine. It also doesn't mean I not going to think they are idiots for doing it. You seem to have a very limited view of "Compassion." It doesn't mean being a rube. I'll give my opinion, if they ignore it, fine. That's their choice.

Or is it really that you are disgusted that people aren't just doing as you (and others) say and using whatever the mainstream dictates as proper medicine, based solely on proven science?

No. it's the same anger I see when criminals rip off old people. I feel compassion for the victim, and anger towards the criminal. In this case, the criminal is the people pushing "alternative medicine." They are selling something that is expected to work, and it doesn't. I feel the same about faith healers and snake oil salesmen. I guess I really shouldn't feel anything, because people who use "alternative medicine" want to be lied to. But hey, what can you do?

[kentauros]

26. And we have to go back to my original post about terminology,

because you seem insistent upon turning it back to an "alternative to medicine" instead of an "alternative form of medicine", and thus the label of "complementary medicine." It's too bad you're so stuck on that. Of course, it works best to your intent to derail my points if you steer it away from my OP.

I don't have a reading comprehension problem. I just ignored it. I've read plenty about "alternative medicine." I don't make up my mind until I know something about it. I read about it and decided it was bullshit. There was no proof that it worked beyond the placebo effect.

Okay, what about trying it out on yourself? Start small and work your way up. Get that personal perspective instead of relying strictly on white papers.

What really pisses me off is the attempt by "alternative medicine" to pollute real medicine. They want to be taken seriously and included in real medicine without proof that the shit they do even works. If they hadn't done that, then I could care less.

The quote "pollute real medicine" made me laugh! Back to the narrow-focus again and so much for the evolution of the field...

Why argue with me at all, when you know you won't convince me to think differently?

Ask yourself that question.

I did and it's primarily to keep the topic on "complementary medicine" instead of diverted to the wrong terminology you are using as an "alternative to medicine." Have you figured that part out yet?

If they think it will work for them, then fine. It also doesn't mean I not going to think they are idiots for doing it. You seem to have a very limited view of "Compassion." It doesn't mean being a rube. I'll give my opinion, if they ignore it, fine. That's their choice.

Well, I don't think you're an idiot for thinking that way, only that it's a rather rigid way of thinking. Then again, I don't think of people as idiots simply because they don't do or agree with what I know. I consider that a major component of compassion. As in, don't judge.

No. it's the same anger I see when criminals rip off old people. I feel compassion for the victim, and anger towards the criminal. In this case, the criminal is the people pushing "alternative medicine." They are selling something that is expected to work, and it doesn't. I feel the same about faith healers and snake oil salesmen. I guess I really shouldn't feel anything, because people who use "alternative medicine" want to be lied to. But hey, what can you do?

So in your opinion selling alone is "pushing"? If that's the case, then all advertising, all opinions, all statements about anything is "pushing" and we aren't free to make up our own minds through reading, researching, asking others, and so on. Just seeing one of these products on a shelf that is used in complementary medicine is pushing it on me and everyone else, huh? So much for free will ;)

Some of it works for me and I will continue to use what works. Those things that don't work for me, like homeopathy, Claritin, Alavert and whatever else I've stopped using won't ever again take my money for no effect. But I'm still willing to experiment if it means both immediate and long-term health effects. I research this stuff as I do "real" medicine because it's important to be informed, no matter your take on any of this. That's more important than our opinions anyway. I have no problems with any components of complementary medicine being offered to the public so long as people get themselves informed about it and make their own decisions. We should all have that freedom without the impassioned arguments trying to prevent that choice. If it's truly deadly, then take it off the market, and that includes the pharmaceuticals currently being advertised. I have no problem with that.

[Confusious]

27. x

Okay, what about trying it out on yourself? Start small and work your way up. Get that personal perspective instead of relying strictly on white papers.

Don't want to waste my time and money. I would rather get better.

The quote "pollute real medicine" made me laugh! Back to the narrow-focus again and so much for the evolution of the field...

Yes, maybe we should use astrology in building bridges instead of calculus. We could also start throwing chicken bones to find out what ails you. It's not a movement forward, it's a movement backwards. Might as well get the preist to to do an exorcism of the "demons."

Smallpox was wiped out without "Alternative medicine." Actually most of it has been around for as long as humans. Did it wipe out smallpox? no. Polio? no.

I did and it's primarily to keep the topic on "complementary medicine" instead of diverted to the wrong terminology you are using as an "alternative to medicine." Have you figured that part out yet?

Decided to change the language? Kinda like death tax instead of estate tax? The pages you directed me to used "alternative medicine." The OP used it also.

Well, I don't think you're an idiot for thinking that way, only that it's a rather rigid way of thinking. Then again, I don't think of people as idiots simply because they don't do or agree with what I know. I consider that a major component of compassion. As in, don't judge.

So the Republicans just have "alternative views" not "idiotic views?" Sarah Palin must have an "Alternative Intelligence" and her views are just as valid, if you're not tryin' to judge.

So in your opinion selling alone is "pushing"? If that's the case, then all advertising, all opinions, all statements about anything is "pushing" and we aren't free to make up our own minds through reading, researching, asking others, and so on. Just seeing one of these products on a shelf that is used in complementary medicine is pushing it on me and everyone else, huh? So much for free will ;)

No, now it's your turn to lack reading comprehension. "alternative medicine" people sell something that doesn't work. It's a scheme to separate rubes from their money. The people who use it want to be lied too. That's free will.


Most Americans have almost no conception of science or of the scientific method, therefore throwing chicken bones is the same as regular medicine. Hence the rise of "alternative medicine." You want them to inform themselves on a subject that doctors have to go to school for for 8 years, plus two years of residency.

Might as well get the high school algebra student ( another subject most Americans do poorly in ) to design buildings and bridges. We could call it "alternative design" or "complementary engineering"

I think the point is, that most people are afraid of, is that we have passed the point where one person can be informed about everything in everyday life. We have to rely on others who have more knowledge in certain areas, and some have more of a problem with it then others. "Alternative medicine" is a symptom of that fear.

[kentauros]

28. Seeing as how the majority of your reply here is nothing more than mocking,

there's little to which I can reply, other than this:

No, now it's your turn to lack reading comprehension. "alternative medicine" people sell something that doesn't work. It's a scheme to separate rubes from their money. The people who use it want to be lie too. That's free will.

It doesn't work for those people for whom it doesn't work, such as the OTC medicines that don't work on my ailments as previously mentioned. Yet, those same "lies" have indeed worked on my body with regards to the same ailments (namely, allergies.) So, is the "lie" subjective? Is it only a lie if it doesn't work on some people but works on others? Can the same then be said by me towards Claritin and Alavert? The pharmaceutical companies are lying to me because their particular products don't work in my body at all? Claritin and Alavert separated me from my money, but they are backed by the scientific method and science. Am I a rube for thinking that what they were pushing would actually work for me?

You are making many assumptions here and not paying attention to the fact that your statement can be turned on its ear as I have just done. Complementary and alternative medicine is simply another form of medicine, whether you want to accept that fact or not. It's there and it's there to stay.

[Confusious]

29. It sounds like mocking when you apply your argument to other areas.

If something has no backing by the scientific method, then throwing chicken bones is just as valid. That is it's purpose. To find that which is valid and that which is not.

If you don't, throwing chicken bones has the same weight as water having a "memory" which has the same weight as someone being treated by 21st century real medicine.

You are making many assumptions here and not paying attention to the fact that your statement can be turned on its ear as I have just done.

As far as your allergy medicine is concerned, different people have different reactions to medicine. 99% of people going to find something that works.

With "alternative medicine" 99% of the people are going to find something that doesn't work.

[kentauros]

30. In other words, Complementary Medicine does work

because it works for 1% and not the "doesn't work, period" bit you've been espousing so far ;)

Of course, I'd love to see the scientific backing of this "99% of the people" for both statements first :)

[Confusious]

31. I've already given you one for real medicine

The elimination of smallpox, which killed hundreds of millions through the history of the human race, if not into the billions.

In Europe, near the end of the eighteenth century, the disease accounted for nearly 400,000 deaths each year, including five kings. Of those surviving, one-third were blinded. The worldwide death toll was staggering and continued well into the twentieth century, where mortality has been estimated at 300 to 500 million. This number vastly exceeds the combined total of deaths in all world wars.

[kentauros]

32. I understand that point.

I was making a jab at your (so far) absolutist point of view in this subthread, that you're either for science and the scientific method, or you're against it. Sure, you didn't say that in so many words, but the overall implication of your posts is just that.

Of course, that doesn't work in the real world. No one, and I mean no one, is truly "anti-science" or against science and it's methods. That's really just a fantasy y'all like to use an an insult. It's really not a good insult either as no one truly believes it, so it has no teeth.

But I think we've petered this out (as well as ourselves, of maybe it's just me) and I'm fine with letting it go. Thanks for the lively "discussion" and maybe I'll jump on another one of these threads in the future :hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

33. My two cents

There are quacks in every field of therapy -- modern, traditional, alternative....whatever. Consumers need to be informed and aware. We have to be advocates for our own care, and that includes in the current medical system. Physicians and scientists aren't infallible. That's obvious, but I feel it needs to be said here.

One aspect I haven't seen mentioned is that, while modern pharmaceuticals have the potential to accomplish great things
-- and have -- the risks are also greater. Most alternative therapies have a lower risk potential, though that also means their potential benefits often can take longer to manifest as well.

But we know about the very real and common risk of pharmaceutical drug interactions and potential side effects, some of which are quite severe. This happens daily, and is often fatal, due to docs prescribing one thing without being aware the patient is on another agent, the pharmacist or techs misreading the prescription, other caregivers misreading the order if an inpatient setting.

In outpatient situations, unless a pharmacist has a good electronic record that shows potential drug interactions, the patients are at the mercy of the MD. I work with doctors (specialists, not primary care); I know they frequently prescribe without knowing what else the patient is taking.

In spite of clinical trials and research before a patent is granted and a formula is released into the marketplace, we often don't know about negative side effects until something has been on the market for many years; sometimes the side effects don't manifest until after years of use.

I've also witnessed several physicians (neurologists and pain medicine physicians) I've worked with for nearly 18 years start prescribing "alternate therapy" in the last year -- herbal remedies, craniosacral therapy and others -- more and more rather than traditional pharmaceuticals, precisely because of the above reason. They prescribe a certain medication for years, only to find it's been pulled off the market due to it having severe side effects or long-term implications.

There are pros and cons to most therapies. When profit over true wellness is the focus, the authenticity of any healthcare product is questionable, imho.

Buyer beware.

BTW, chiropractic therapy became rather accepted as a complement to their care about 10 years ago with the physicians in my area.

I haven't read every word written here, but I suppose part of the argument comes down to what is considered "acceptable alternate therapy." That's pretty subjective.

And, as it pertains to herbal remedies, I don't get the whole premise of the argument anyway, because aren't modern pharmaceuticals based on herbal wisdom?

I get the chicken bone argument and how any type of "faith" healing -- whether it's Reiki or fundamentalist church prayer, Native American prayer circle, etc. -- is a turn-off for many.

Honestly, the only problem I have with bible thumpers is that they try to push their beliefs on others in a variety of ways, even legislatively. Otherwise, while I may not believe what they believe, I don't KNOW anything, so I have a "to each his/her own" approach to life.

So, when it comes to "faith-based healing," I basically feel that it can't hurt (though there are exceptions), so long as other approaches are being pursued as well if the symptoms warrant it. If it's a last resort, including for a terminal illness, then what is the harm? People need to find hope somewhere.

For many, even the word hope is anathema as it indicates, to them, some sort of weakness or failure.

I don't feel that way. :) I can appreciate modern advances, as well as folk remedies and alternate therapies, and see the potential value they each provide. I may not be interested in different approaches myself, but I don't fault others for pursuing different forms of therapy, so long as they don't do so blindly.

As I've already said in this thread elsewhere, please keep in mind that many of us don't have insurance or the money to go to the doctor, let alone afford prescription medication. Our first line of prevention and defense for non-acute illness is often non-pharmaceutical. We don't have a choice.

[Confusious]

34. aren't modern pharmaceuticals based on herbal wisdom?

Yes, but the thing is, most pharmaceuticals are more condensed forms.

Take aspirin, which comes from the bark of a tree. It can be made from component chemicals. I did it in a basic chemistry class.

Or st. johns wort. I took it for a little while, but it was like a roller coaster. Up, down, take pill, up, down, take pill, up, down. that was every hour. An anti-depressant works much better, I get a stronger dose of the active medication without the extra crap that eating 3 pills of st. johns wort every hour might have. The active ingredient is found and synthesized out of component chemicals.

There are pros and cons to most therapies. When profit over true wellness is the focus, the authenticity of any healthcare product is questionable, imho.

true, but some like to portray the medical establishment as demons, and "alternative medicine" as saints. It's bullcrap. People who used to sell bullshit cures were called snake oil salesmen. That's what these people are. 1% of what they have might work, not by any effort on their part, but by pure luck.

As for the rest of your post, I don't really have anything to say, I don't disagree though.

[OneGrassRoot]

35. Thanks for the reply...

:hi:

[villager]

10. "If it really profited pharmaceutical companies, it would be regular medicine" EOM.

n/t

[FirstLight]

2. Oh PLEASE...

this is pure propaganda, and most likely funded by Big Pharma.

You know, home remedies were the norm back in my grandmother's day...it was common knowledge that slippery elm soothed your sore throat, or that willow bark tea eased pain.

It is alarmist to say that people are causing their kids to be in 'danger' because we use these remedies. It is a first line of defense, if it doesn't work or they get worse, I take them to the doctor for traditional antibiotoc therapy. In most cases, the kids OWN IMMUNE SYSTEM does it's job and they are fine before I can cave and take them to the doctor. Rest, fluids, vitamins, etc...all the things that the 'doctor' reccomends.... and it works, go figure!

FWIW, there are plenty of times i have taken the kids to the doctor only to have him tell me it is a virus and will have to 'work itself out' anyway...
Or, we can use my sister as an example. She has fed her kids anti-biotics for everything under the sun, and not only have they become resistant and constantly need stronger drugs...but their OWN immunity is compromised as well.

common sense has become a rare commodity in this country, it seems.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. l agree....

I advocate traditional remedies as a first line of defense (and prevention), keeping in mind that many of us don't have insurance and can't afford to get a "professional opinion" -- let alone prescription -- for every sniffle or minor symptom.

Especially when it concerns our children, we should be alert and diligent about their health...absolutely...but to say that what many view as common sense approaches are negligent or harmful is dangerous in and of itself.

There is no absolute here. There are pros and cons to traditional "folk" remedies, as there are for modern, pharmaceutical approaches.

We need to be informed and aware but to be categorically opposed to any means of healing -- and try to impose your opinion on others -- is probably the most harmful approach of all, imho.




edit for typo

[kimmerspixelated]

9. Completely agree with First Light!

The assumption that alt. medicine is dangerous is interesting considering almost every cold medicine on Big Pharmas plate has been taken off the market... How about a little honey and lemon for the throat??.....Every remedy or medicine BP produces was first replicated from a plant form or herbal that was proven to work. They synthesize it so they can patent it, but it has the bonus of potential harm to the body... the report is nonsense.

[Confusious]

15. I suggest a little chemistry class

I'll help you understand the reasons for it.

Kinda like, You could chew a shitload of bark of a tree that they found aspirin from, it still wouldn't have the effect of 1 store bought aspirin. You would also get a lot of bad shit chewing so much bark.

getting from the store also keeps the tree from going extinct, which it would do if every woo freak tried to chew on the bark instead of just getting an aspirin.

[bananas]

17. You should take a chemistry class

maybe then you'll understand why cough syrup is dangerous!!!

[bananas]

16. Good point.

I can't believe I have to show my ID to get cough syrup now.
Cough syrup is very very dangerous!!!

[Confusious]

12. common sense has become a rare commodity in this country, it seems.

Yes it has. People using water (homeopathy) to try and cure shit. Really, where has common sense gone?

[Posteritatis]

18. I'd guess they're more referring to the idiots who think crystals and distilled water cure cancer

But rhapsodizing about how facts are conspiracies works too, I guess.

[BrklynLiberal]

36. My first question is always.."Who funded the study?"

[Ricochet21]

4. "This stuff"?

what a broad brush

If I trusted the AMA, I'd be dead now.

[Cleita]

6. In 1945 when my parents took me to South America

there was a shortage of pharmaceuticals because they had been used up by the war and there wasn't enough to be exported to those countries below the equator. I got the usual childhood diseases then that were treated with herbs. My dad was working for an American company that hired its own doctors and other medical staff to take care of the American workers and their families. The doctors had to turn to the Brujas or native healers to learn what they used for particular ailments because there weren't the usual drugs available that they had used in the past. Many of their curative plants came from the Amazon. For a couple of years any drugs we got from the doctors came in herbal form until pharmaceuticals could be made in sufficient quantity to be exported by the USA and imported by other countries again. Strangely enough my mother kept using herbals when they were available instead of pills. They are slower acting but just as effective. Of course you have to read up on them and dosing just like anything else. I still use a lot of herbals when I can get them, grow them or find them.

[Celebration]

7. What a silly example of dualistic thinking

Trying to brainwash parents into thinking alternative=dangerous, and allopathic=great. It just doesn't work like that. The broad brush approach, and the "guilty by association" treatments make no sense at all. What does acupuncture have in common with garlic tablets? ANSWER--NOTHING~ except that most MDs don't use them for treatments.

[Confusious]

13. What they have in common

Is they are snake oil, and don't work for shit except a placebo.

[felix_numinous]

8. integrative medicine

is the best solution for a medical system. It gives people more choices in treatment plans. I hope to see this evolve in this country, as I have had very good results with acupuncture, body and energy work. I realize this is not for everyone, but it should be an option.

[Confusious]

14. Energy work

Really, why not just join a church? You get free prayers. It's the same thing. I guess some people just gotta be different, even though they're being the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0

[ZombieHorde]

22. Pediatricians rock. nt