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[Sushan]

Alternative medicine is synonymous with quackery in the eyes of science. It survives debunking efforts only because it exploits the fears and hopes of folks with fatal and incurable illnesses e.g. cancer. Skeptics in the Western world have been highly critical of alternative medicine because it, at the end of the day, amounts to cheating sick people out of their hard-earned money - adding insult to injury as it were.

However, despite the bad rap it suffers from, alternative "medicine" may open new avenues for real medical research if practitioners of this "field" get lucky and do find a cure for (say) cancer.

Too, alternative medicine, its persistence despite its obvious ineffectiveness, serves as a good/constant reminder to mainstream medicine that it needs to get its act together - more effort has to be put in to find real cures for cancer for example.

Dude, there's a lot more to medicine than cancer. Heck there's a lot more than actual disease. A huge part of medical practice is symptom management in the absence of significant disease, which BTW Western medicine isn't all that successful in treating.

You're right, medicine encompasses a wide range of health issues, not just cancer or other serious diseases. Both alternative and conventional medicine can play a role in managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients, even when a cure or complete resolution of the underlying condition isn't possible.

It's important to recognize that different approaches may be more effective for different individuals, depending on their unique circumstances and health needs. While conventional medicine may not always provide optimal symptom management for some conditions, alternative therapies might offer relief for certain patients.

[Sushan]

Alternative medicine is synonymous with quackery in the eyes of science. It survives debunking efforts only because it exploits the fears and hopes of folks with fatal and incurable illnesses e.g. cancer. Skeptics in the Western world have been highly critical of alternative medicine because it, at the end of the day, amounts to cheating sick people out of their hard-earned money - adding insult to injury as it were.

However, despite the bad rap it suffers from, alternative "medicine" may open new avenues for real medical research if practitioners of this "field" get lucky and do find a cure for (say) cancer.

Too, alternative medicine, its persistence despite its obvious ineffectiveness, serves as a good/constant reminder to mainstream medicine that it needs to get its act together - more effort has to be put in to find real cures for cancer for example.

Dude, there's a lot more to medicine than cancer. Heck there's a lot more than actual disease. A huge part of medical practice is symptom management in the absence of significant disease, which BTW Western medicine isn't all that successful in treating.

That may be true of course but I'm convinced we haven't realized the full potential of modern medicine. Even a cursory glance at pharmacological agents and concepts clearly demonstrates the power latent therein and in the hands of a good doctor it manifests in the form of content/satisfied "customers".

Returning to the matter of alternative medicine, cancer is a classic illness for which it's consulted for, as a last desperate measure against certain death. For that simple reason, allopathy has nothing to fear from alternative medicine - impending death renders the patient non compos mentis i.e. only the mad, as skeptics have been trying to communicate, turn to alternative medicine.

While it's true that modern medicine has made significant strides in treating many conditions and improving overall health, it's also essential to recognize that there may be gaps in symptom management and the treatment of certain conditions where alternative therapies can play a complementary role.

Alternative medicine may be sought after by some individuals as a last resort, but it's not fair to dismiss it entirely as a choice made only by those in desperate situations. Many people turn to alternative therapies for various reasons, including personal preference, cultural beliefs, or a desire for a more holistic approach to their health.

[Sushan]

Alternative medicine is synonymous with quackery in the eyes of science. It survives debunking efforts only because it exploits the fears and hopes of folks with fatal and incurable illnesses e.g. cancer. Skeptics in the Western world have been highly critical of alternative medicine because it, at the end of the day, amounts to cheating sick people out of their hard-earned money - adding insult to injury as it were.

However, despite the bad rap it suffers from, alternative "medicine" may open new avenues for real medical research if practitioners of this "field" get lucky and do find a cure for (say) cancer.

Too, alternative medicine, its persistence despite its obvious ineffectiveness, serves as a good/constant reminder to mainstream medicine that it needs to get its act together - more effort has to be put in to find real cures for cancer for example.

Dude, there's a lot more to medicine than cancer. Heck there's a lot more than actual disease. A huge part of medical practice is symptom management in the absence of significant disease, which BTW Western medicine isn't all that successful in treating.

That may be true of course but I'm convinced we haven't realized the full potential of modern medicine. Even a cursory glance at pharmacological agents and concepts clearly demonstrates the power latent therein and in the hands of a good doctor it manifests in the form of content/satisfied "customers".

Returning to the matter of alternative medicine, cancer is a classic illness for which it's consulted for, as a last desperate measure against certain death. For that simple reason, allopathy has nothing to fear from alternative medicine - impending death renders the patient non compos mentis i.e. only the mad, as skeptics have been trying to communicate, turn to alternative medicine.

I think you're under the impression that alternative medicine is mainly laetrile and coffee enemas. While those exist in the world, most think of herbal supplements, meditation and acupuncture etc. That is, treatments for chronic symptoms without acute disease.

You're right that there is a wide range of alternative medicine practices, including herbal supplements, meditation, acupuncture, and others, which can be used to address chronic symptoms in the absence of acute disease. These therapies can offer relief and support for many individuals, especially when conventional medicine may not provide satisfactory results.

It's essential to differentiate between potentially harmful alternative practices and those that have a basis in evidence and can be used safely alongside conventional treatments. Many alternative therapies have been studied and shown to provide benefits for various conditions. For example, acupuncture has been found to help with pain management, and meditation can be effective for stress reduction and mental well-being.

[Sushan]

Dude, there's a lot more to medicine than cancer. Heck there's a lot more than actual disease. A huge part of medical practice is symptom management in the absence of significant disease, which BTW Western medicine isn't all that successful in treating.

That may be true of course but I'm convinced we haven't realized the full potential of modern medicine. Even a cursory glance at pharmacological agents and concepts clearly demonstrates the power latent therein and in the hands of a good doctor it manifests in the form of content/satisfied "customers".

Returning to the matter of alternative medicine, cancer is a classic illness for which it's consulted for, as a last desperate measure against certain death. For that simple reason, allopathy has nothing to fear from alternative medicine - impending death renders the patient non compos mentis i.e. only the mad, as skeptics have been trying to communicate, turn to alternative medicine.

I think you're under the impression that alternative medicine is mainly laetrile and coffee enemas. While those exist in the world, most think of herbal supplements, meditation and acupuncture etc. That is, treatments for chronic symptoms without acute disease.

It's great to see that we can have a constructive and respectful discussion about alternative medicine and its various practices. Understanding and considering different perspectives helps us gain a more comprehensive view of the topic. It's important to continue learning and exploring the potential benefits of various treatments, whether conventional or alternative, to provide the best possible care for individuals dealing with various health conditions. Keep smiling, and let's keep the conversation going!

[Sushan]

A long time ago, I had various health problems that were dogging my life and my doctor suggested medicine that I my body didn’t tolerate, and I regularly had all of the side effects. I travelled to Sri Lanka (not for that reason) and spoke to a doctor there who used Ayuvedic cures alongside contemporary medicine, and he said that my problem was that I was taking systemic medicines for local ailments, and that my body was out of balance. He told me to change my diet and gave me a “mysterious” medicine in two bottles from which I was to take one jigger of each in the morning until the bottles were empty. One was sour and the other sweet and after the therapy I went back to my doctor and had my blood taken to compare the results to before the therapy.

When I called the doctor, who was a friend of mine, he jokingly said, “Next time you’ll have to come yourself!” I laughed but asked, “What do you mean?” He said the results were not comparable with the previous results, and all the readings that were pathological were well within the normal limits. He asked what I had done, and I told him, and his reaction was, “Are you crazy or something?” I told him that school medicine hadn’t solved the problems, and his reply was, “We’ll see how long it lasts!”

Since then, the problems I had have not returned, and I have an excellent bill of health. All the same, my story is met with scepsis amongst my peers (I work in a medical environment) although my interest in alternative medicine brought many solutions for our patients, mostly in alleviating their discomfort. Doctors to whom I made my suggestions generally said, “Okay, but it won’t heal them!” But I told them that healing was their task, as a nurse, I was about making the patients comfortable.

It's fascinating to hear about your personal experience with alternative medicine, and I'm glad it had such a positive impact on your health. Your story highlights the importance of considering various approaches to healthcare, as different individuals may have unique needs and responses to treatments.

Incorporating alternative medicine practices, like Ayurveda, alongside conventional medicine can sometimes provide patients with a more comprehensive and personalized approach to their healthcare. It's essential for healthcare professionals to remain open to exploring different avenues for the well-being of their patients, as long as safety and efficacy are taken into consideration.

As a nurse, your focus on making patients comfortable is commendable, and it's great to hear that your interest in alternative medicine has helped in that regard. Sharing your experiences and knowledge can be valuable in broadening perspectives and encouraging open-mindedness in the medical community.