Critics of Alternative Medicine

Critics of Alternative Medicine

The merits of alternative medicine are widely argued. Likewise, there
are questions about the validity of diagnoses, treatments, and the
credentials of the practitioners who may not adequately licensed;
practitioners of alternative medicine typically are not MDs. However,
there are a number physicians who are practicing what they term
complementary medicine. For instance, Harvard educated Dr. Andrew Weil
founded the Integrative Medicine movement and is world-renowned for
his work.

Critics of alternative medicine acknowledge the efficacy of the
placebo effect and treatments such as biofeedback, but also object
when alternative medicine is used in place of conventional treatments
as well as when they are delayed owing to the use of alternative
therapies. They also caution against use of non-prescribed supplements
-- vitamins, minerals, herbs, and others -- in conjunction with
traditional medications, as some of them interact adversely with each
other. Also cited are the inherent dangers of using supplements that
have not been FDA approved. The role of the FDA in regulating medical
treatments is a subject of much debate in the US Congress; lobbying on
both sides is on-going and controversial.

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