Complementary Medicine

This volume provides a balanced and even-handed review of the evidence and assesses the claims of both advocates and critics of complementary medicine. It 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; and seeking out a research agenda for the future.

Theories and Therapies. Pathways to Complementary Medicine. The Use of Complementary Medicine. Complementary Medicine and the Medical Profession. Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs of Patients of Complementary Practitioners. Consultations with Orthodox and Complementary Practitioners. The Placebo Effect in Orthodox and Complementary Medicine. Research Methods and Research Problems in Complementary Medicine. The Quality of Medical Information and the Evaluation of Acupuncture, Osteopathy and Chiropractic. Evaluation of Herbalism, Homeopathy and Naturopathy. Adverse Effects of Orthodox and Complementary Medicine. A Research Agenda. References. Index.