Toward an Integrative Medicine: Merging Alternative Therapies with Biomedicine / Edition 1

by Hans A. Baer

Overview

This book chronicles the transformation of the holistic health movement over the past three decades, as it increasingly influences the delivery of health care in America. In it, he describes the battle for legitimacy by alternative therapeutic practitioners, and the biomedical profession's increasing interest in the possibilities of a complementary and integrative medical system. Baer examines a variety of professionalized and lay heterodox therapeutic systems, including chiropractors, naturopaths and acupuncturists, homeopaths, bodyworkers, and lay midwives. He shows, ironically, how the holistic movement may become more limited as it gains acceptance and becomes integrated into mainstream, professional medicine. This book is a valuable resource for instructors, students, professionals and others interested in public health issues, health policy, medical studies, health economics, medical anthropology and sociology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759103023
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	11/26/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.94(w) x 8.92(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Hans A. Baer is professor of anthropology at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Rise of the Holistic Health/New Ageism as a Popular Movement Chapter 2: The Growing Interest of Biomedical Physicians and Nurses in Alternative Medicine Chapter 3: Legitimizing Heterodox Medical Systems: Chiropractic, Naturopathy, and Acupuncture Chapter 4: The Drive for Professionalization: Homeopathy, Herbalism, Bodywork, Body/Mind Therapy, Psychic and Spiritual Healers, Lay Midwifery Chapter 5: The Growing Interest of Governmental and Insurance Companies in Alternative Medicine Chapter 6: Deconstructing Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra: Coopting a Popular Health Movement Chapter 7: Impediments and Possibilities for an Authentic Holistic Health System

Editorial Reviews

A comprehensive overview of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the U.S., as well as a sharp analysis of how CAM is changing as it enters the mainstream of biomedicine.

David J. Hess

A comprehensive overview of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the U.S., as well as a sharp analysis of how CAM is changing as it enters the mainstream of biomedicine.--David J. Hess, author of Evaluating Alternative Cancer Therapies

From the Publisher