Alternative Medicine

by Lynn M. Zott (Editor), David M. Haugen (Editor)

Overview

One of the wonderful aspects of modern medicine is that it can offer absoluteness when it comes to the mysteries of ailments; "Take two of these pills and you'll be right as rain." Humans are slowly understanding however, that along side conventional medicine, there is a lot of room for effective, alternative therapies. Give your readers a must-have collection on this issue. Across four chapters, readers will evaluate whether alternative medicine works, why it is becoming so popular, whether it can exist at peace with modern medicine, and whether the government should research and regulate it. Because readers are presented with a variety of viewpoints, this book is also a great resource for report-writing and research. Superb essays sources include the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, The Office of Senator Dick Durbin, Donald Berwick, Dana Ullman, and Todd Runestad.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737754391
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	07/28/2012
Series:	Opposing Viewpoints Series
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 Does Alternative Medicine Work?

Chapter Preface 20

1 Homeopathic Medicine Is Effective Dana Ullman 23

2 Homeopathic Medicine Is Ineffective Edzard Ernst 35

3 Sham Acupuncture's Effectiveness Casts Doubt on the Efficacy of Real Acupuncture Ted Burnham 40

4 Acupuncture Is Effective Despite Research Showing That Sham Acupuncture Is Helpful John Amaro 47

5 Chelation Therapy Is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Many Conditions Elmer M. Cranton 53

6 Chelation Therapy Is Dangerous and Ineffective for Treating Most Health Problems Saul Green 65

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 77

Chapter 2 Why Is Alternative Medicine Popular?

Chapter Preface 79

1 Politics and Culture Contribute to Alternative Medicine's Popularity Rahul Parikh 82

2 The Popularity of Alternative Medicine Is Exaggerated Brennen McKenzie 90

3 The Prevalence of Complementary Treatments Reflects Frustration with Traditional Medicine Lauren Cox 98

4 Celebrities Influence Public Interest in Alternative Treatments That Can be Detrimental Liz Szabo 105

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 112

Chapter 3 Can Alternative and Conventional Medicine Work Together?

Chapter Preface 114

1 The Need for Improvements in Health Care Highlights the Advantages of Integrative Medicine Donald Berwick Andrea M. Schultz Samantha M. Chao J. Michael McGinnis 117

2 A Complementary Medical Treatment Approach Can Lower Health Care Costs Kathleen Koster 126

3 A Complementary Approach to Medicine Helps Patients and Is Scientifically Sound David Katz 134

4 Complementary Medicine Is Scientifically Unsound and Only Increases Provider Profits Ben Kavoussi 144

5 Doctors Can and Should Regularly Use Ethically Prescribed Placebo Treatments Steve Silberman 153

6 Placebo Treatment Can Have Harmful as Well as Beneficial Effects Eliezer Sobel 167

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 174

Chapter 4 How Should Government Research and Regulate Alternative Medicine?

Chapter Preface 176

1 The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Should Be Funded: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine 179

2 The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Should Not Be Funded David Gorski 191

3 The Value of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Is Unclear David Brown 204

4 Expanding Labeling Requirements Would Better Inform Consumers About Safe Supplement Use: The Office of Senator Dick Durbin 211

5 Expanding Labeling Requirements for Dietary Supplements Would Punish Consumers and Manufacturers Hank Schultz Todd Runestad 216

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 224

For Further Discussion 225

Organizations to Contact 230

Bibliography of Books 238

Index 242

Editorial Reviews

Review: Alternative Medicine "Each volume in the Opposing Viewpoints series could serve as a model...not only providing access to a wide diversity of opinions, but also stimulating readers to do further research for group discussion and individual interest. Both shrill and moderate, the selections—by experts, policy makers, and concerned citizens—include complete articles and speeches, long book excerpts, and occasional cartoons and boxed quotations...all up to date and fully documented. The editing is intelligent and unobtrusive, organizing the material around substantive issues within the general debate. Brief introductions to each section and to each reading focus the questions raised and offer no slick answers."—Booklist

From the Publisher