Alternative healing refers to any health therapy regarded as unorthodox by "mainstream" medical practitioners. This technically includes both older practices that have fallen out of fashion and newly emerging therapies or cures, but predominantly refers to the former – chiropractic, reiki, biofield and/or bioelectromagnetic therapy, faith-based healing, ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, other forms of naturopathy and homeopathy. We will thus proceed with this definitive slant.
Alternative healing's origins trace back to now-ancient practices, often contrasting with current popular medical thought. In this guide, we will examine these origins, outline differences versus standard medical care, and look at associated practices in search of real health benefits.
The effectiveness of alternative medicine is always a topic of debate. While some have more objectively proven health outcomes and/or telling government endorsements, others may only seem plausible, but actually ineffective or even risky. We channel individual terms bucketed as alternative healing or medicine, trying to give each a "fair shake."
The burgeoning industry surrounding alternative medicines isn't without controversy either; we'll examine the profitability factor that drives this sector, alongside the powerful lobbying forces at play. Hint – we've already alluded to government or military connections. We'll also look at how 'Big Pharma' marketing strategies could influence public perception of these alternatives.
In addition, we will clarify terms like Complementary Medicine (CM), Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and Integrative Medicine (IM). Lest lack of context trip you up.
These terms represent a blending of "normal" or popular medical practice with more holistic and/or "alternative" approaches. For example, the use of dietary changes or nutritional supplements into more "conventional" treatment plans for chronic pain.
Lastly, we'll touch upon other sociopolitical factors that impact definitions within this sphere – understanding why certain practices gain acceptance, despite criticism, can offer fascinating insights around collective healing mindsets.
Understanding alternative Healing
Alternative healing can be like "The Wild West" of contemporary healthcare, where anything goes. But how did this come about?
Origins of alternative medicine
Alternative therapies have been around since ancient times, with practices like acupuncture and Ayurveda originating from China and India. These methods are often based more on testimonials, anecdotes, religion, tradition, and/or other beliefs in the supernatural rather than enough scientific evidence to make the U.S. FDA smile.
Today alternative medicine encompasses a wide range of subject matter offering health benefits beyond standard medical care – from energy healing techniques like Reiki, to therapies based on nutritional supplements a la Ray Peat.
Differences between alternative and mainstream medicine
Conventional medicine involves methodologies taught widely at medical schools. It takes a while to complete "normal" medical schooling, so it only makes sense that current working doctors' knowledge comes most from what was taught 1-2 generations of students ago. Subject matter leans uncontroversial and is arguably well-funded.
Alternative medicines encompass "everything else." That can possess popularity among certain demographics and, at the same time, controversy within mainstream healthcare circles and/or their funding channels.
What's "alternative" versus "mainstream" or "conventional" can vary greatly between the Eastern and Western worlds. Broadly, we may bucket Eastern Asia as "East" versus the "West" of Australasia, Europe, and the Americas.
Mainstream Western medicine tends to rely heavily on clinical trials for determining efficacy, barring extenuating circumstances like a government emergency medical order. Alternative therapies often depend more on patient testimonials and personal experiences, which again don't always align with dense standards set by governing bodies.
For example, the mere absence of clinical trials – like rigorous testing that would suffice the United States' FDA – does not preclude the ability of a given medical treatment to ever pass such trials.
And it's important to note that all "alternative" treatments are not created equal.
- Some may offer genuine relief when used alongside conventional ones, forming an integrative approach towards healthcare.
- Others might prove ineffective – if not harmful. Especially without proper medical supervision.
Terminology for alternative medicine
Alternative healing has a language of its own. Let's take a look at some of this language used, with typical definitions per alternative medicine.
Alternative therapy terms
- New Age Medicine : Spiritual practices like crystal healing, Reiki, and chakra balancing.
- Pseudo-Medicine : Derogatory. Used towards treatments that lack scientific evidence, perhaps including homeopathy or magnet therapy.
- Holistic Medicine : Treating the "whole person" – body, mind, soul / spirit – with practices like yoga or meditation.
- Unconventional Medicines : Any therapeutic approach not typically included in "mainstream" healthcare systems. Depends on Eastern versus Western medical worlds. Could include traditional Chinese medicine or biofeedback therapy.
These cloudy terms reflect diverse approaches to alternative healing and ongoing debate about what constitutes legitimacy in the broader medical world.
Research further suggests that public understanding of these terms varies wildly – indicating a need for clear communication when discussing "alternative health" options. Whether talking to a doctor or just a friend, we recommend being as specific as possible. Try to refer directly to a certain therapy or practice.
Alternative medicine versus quackery
Unfortunately, lack of popularly accepted scientific evidence for alternative healing and medicine has led to a perceived entanglement with quackery.
Really – 'quack' comes from 'quacksalver', meaning a seller of snake oil-type remedies who makes grandiose claims without substance. Quackery applies broadly to practitioners promoting unproven and/or fraudulent medical procedures.
Some practitioners do sell ineffective products or services, exploiting patients' hopes and/or desperation with underhanded marketing strategies. This is true.
Think about a time when you've gone through personal medical duress.
How strong was your will for a cure? Perhaps entertaining any quick solution with less-than-typical regard for price or due diligence? Such conditions breed scams.
Still, it's important not to paint all unconventional therapies with the same brush because of non-zero bad actors. "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water," to use another goofy idiom.
Research still shows that alternative therapies can be beneficial, at least when used alongside standard treatments. For those that live and die by "research."
- While navigating the complex landscape of alternative healing, be open-minded yet skeptical regarding extraordinary claims made without solid proof. Some skepticism is always still healthy.
- Seek reliable sources before embarking upon new treatment paths.
- Engage your healthcare providers in informed discussion about potential benefits and risks involved when using "alternatives," standalone or alongside more conventional treatments.
Effectiveness & risks Involved in alternative therapies
Alternative therapies may seem like a good idea, but many lack positive risk-benefit outcomes. Improper research effort leads to invalid results, so let's delve into this further.
Plausible yet ineffective alternatives
Many alternative therapies are based on theories that sound reasonable but haven't been proven effective through either rigorous scientific testing or solid social proof.
For instance, homeopathy is founded on the concept that "like cures like" and enlists highly diluted substances intended to trigger the body's natural healing response. Studies have largely failed to back up homeopathic claims, however.
Potential risks associated with certain therapies
Risks related to alternative treatments can be quite severe, especially when people turn to them after failure of conventional treatments, resulting in worse outcomes yet. Think for a moment about diseases like cancer or HIV infection, which tend to not self-resolve.
- Cancer : Certain herbal remedies promoted as "cancer cures" contain ingredients known as anthraquinones, potentially stimulating cancerous growth rather than inhibiting it, per NCBI source. Moreover, delaying standard care in itself can lead to adverse consequences in disease progression and reduced chance of survival.
- HIV/AIDS : Use of 'immune boosters' without validated benefits might give false hope, leading individuals away from more promising antiretroviral treatments. The latter approach has been concluded beneficial in managing HIV infection per CDC.
Beyond these couple example domains, other therapies may be actively harmful or interfere with effective treatments, also causing more harm than good.
- EFSA-reported cyanide poisoning via raw apricot kernel overdose
- Self-administered chelation therapy, sometimes touted as a "cure-all" for conditions ranging from autism spectrum disorder to cardiovascular disease per MedlinePlus, provoked the tragic suicide of Brian Bander
Industry surrounding alternative medicines
Alternative medicine is not just about healing – it can also be a (lucrative) money-making vehicle.
People are increasingly turning to unconventional approaches in an effort to enhance their well-being, resulting in massive expansion of the alternative medicine industry. Like any growing industry, however, not everyone's intentions are pure.
Profitability as driving force
Alternative therapies can make for a profitable business environment, given relatively lesser medical regulation. One estimate has valued global complementary and alternative medicine market size at USD 69.2 billion for calendar year 2023, suggesting the immense scale of this industry.
Profitability is driven by several factors, including consumer demand for any remedy when plagued by medical issues, growing disillusionment with conventional healthcare post-COVID-19, and aggressive marketing strategies that emphasize holistic and/or natural aspects of these therapies using difficult-to-moderate social media platforms, like TikTok or YouTube Shorts.
Lobbying power
Think of "medical lobbying" and your mind might jump to "Big Pharma." However, lobbying power for the alternative medicine industry should not be underestimated.
Organizations representing various forms of alternative therapy are often vocal advocates for their cause, pushing for recognition from mainstream medical institutions as well as favorable legislation regarding licensing requirements or insurance coverage.
In some cases, these efforts have been successful – many U.S. municipalities now allow practitioners like naturopaths or chiropractors to operate unlicensed under certain conditions, while some insurers even offer reimbursement options for atypical treatments like acupuncture or massage therapy.
More regulation? Less regulation?
Despite immense market opportunity, it's difficult to supervise the promotion of any potential health item, compared to prescription drugs.
While prescription drugs must undergo rigorous testing before they can be sold publicly in the U.S., most dietary supplements do not need FDA approval before hitting store shelves, largely due to legislative measures like Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA).
Like virtually anything, there are positives and negatives to this.
Happy Hippo Herbals kratom case study
Aveshri is a strong proponent of Happy Hippo Herbals' kratom, which has faced wavering government scrutiny and ease of sale.
We maintain that kratom is at least as healthy as marijuana or alcohol when used in moderation. However, in its earlier days (circa 2014 - 2015), Happy Hippo's products had to be sold as "soap-making supplies" labeled "not for human consumption." That is not the case at the time of this writing, but simply demonstrates –
(1) whole-hearted businesses, products, and/or services sometimes experience undue regulatory flack
(2) there are many ways to skirt around regulation, and tricks can be used for good or bad
To that last point, think of sketchy "smoke shop" or gas station products, like so-called bath salts.
Complementary versus traditional medicines
When it comes to health, we might find ourselves at the crossroads of traditional medicine and alternative therapies. Earlier-defined CM, CAM and IM all strive to blend the usual medical approaches with unconventional treatments, giving an inclusive approach towards healing.
Understanding CM, CAM, and IM
Complementary treatments are used alongside standard medical care, helping manage symptoms or side effects. Examples include acupuncture for chronic pain relief or dietary supplements for boosting immunity.
CAM includes both complementary medicines and entirely alternative systems such as homeopathy or naturopathy.
Integrative Medicine aims to bring together all appropriate therapeutic approaches into a coordinated regimen focusing on the whole person, rather than isolated symptoms.
Transition from traditional usage
Traditional medicines become 'alternative' when used outside their original cultural contexts without popularly acceptable explanation supporting their efficacy. This transition often leads people away from proven conventional treatment methods.
However, there's increasing interest in integrating beneficial aspects from various traditions into modern healthcare frameworks – hence the rise of integrative medicine practices worldwide. A "best of both worlds" pursuit, in which success varies.
Despite the potential of natural remedies, it is important to remember that safety and efficacy should be carefully considered before incorporating them into healthcare decisions. Many nutritional supplements touted as "miracle cures" have little backing, while some can even interact negatively with prescribed medications causing adverse reactions.
Informed decision-making requires open dialogue between patient and trusted professional(s), ensuring individual needs/preferences align with best available evidence leading towards optimal outcomes.
Marketing strategies behind promoting alternatives
In the world of alternative medicine, marketing plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and influencing consumer behavior. The industry often portrays therapies as more natural or holistic than conventional treatments, creating an appealing narrative for those seeking detoxification from artificial substances.
Role of "Big Pharma"
The term 'Big Pharma' is used to paint mainstream medical science negatively. It's positioned as an antagonist that pushes synthetic drugs with potential side effects while suppressing safer, more organic alternatives.
This portrayal has led many people to explore alternative treatments, even with limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.
Clever branding strategies
Alternative therapies might use clever branding strategies. Practitioners often use interchangeable terminologies like integrative, holistic, natural, unorthodox, fringe, or New Age – wavering between positive and negative, but all implying a departure from traditional healthcare methods.
- Natural : Labeling something as 'natural' taps into the belief that what comes directly from nature must be healthier and less harmful than manufactured products.
- Holistic : This term suggests that alternative medicine treats the whole person - body and mind - rather than just addressing specific symptoms like standard medical care does.
- New Age : With this label, practitioners appeal to individuals who are open-minded about spirituality and energy healing practices not typically recognized by conventional medicine.
Strategic wordplay subtly implies that conventional treatment options are somehow narrow-scoped or artificial compared to their alternatives. As such narratives gain traction among consumers searching for health benefits outside typical pharmaceutical offerings, dietary supplements and nutritional supplements have seen a surge in popularity despite concerns over regulation and efficacy verification processes.
Sociopolitical factors also play into how these methodologies are marketed. For instance, chronic pain patients might turn towards complementary medicines due to inadequate relief provided by mainstream healthcare.
Similarly, a rise in mental health awareness has increased interest in non-pharmaceutical interventions like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, etc., which fall under umbrella terms like CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine) or IM (Integrative Medicine).
Sociopolitical factors impacting definitions
Alternative healing definitions are influenced by sociopolitical factors like funding, media coverage, and/or medical curricula. These definitions aren't static, and can change based on social or political marginality relative to mainstream healthcare.
Influence factors varying definitions
Health insurers' willingness to reimburse for alternative treatments has generally increased over time, reflecting growing acceptance within parts of the healthcare industry. Some doctors now offer courses on complementary and integrative interventions alongside their conventional training programs.
However, skeptics argue that integrating pseudoscience into academic science-based medicine may undermine consensus treatment options. According to research published in Bioethics, this integration could lead practitioners down a "slippery slope" where sense wavers.
Criticism faced amidst acceptance
Despite criticism, there is increasing evidence supporting certain complementary/integrative interventions like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga for improving fatigue among adult cancer patients, as reported by Harvard Medical School.
The challenge lies in balancing potential benefits, maintainable standards, social proof, evidential rigidity, perception and/or placebo, and potential risks (!!). This is especially difficult given the nature of many alternative healing modalities.
Understanding how sociopolitical factors impact definitions helps us see why descriptive labels might be inadequate when it comes to capturing all aspects involved with alternative healing methods. It reminds us, too, that even amidst rising acceptance there remains room for critical discourse around what constitutes "valid" therapeutic practice versus what might undermine good medicine.
Alternative healing FAQs
Does alternative therapy really work?
The effectiveness of alternative therapies varies widely, with some having proven benefits and others lacking scientific evidence.
What is an alternative system of healing?
Alternative systems refer to non-conventional approaches used instead of mainstream medical treatments.
What are 4 types of alternative treatment?
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic Therapy
- Herbal Medicine
- Massage Therapy
There are many more modalities than just these 4, however, and you should mind that even these listed alternative treatments are more like wide categories.
What's the issue with alternative medicine?
One major concern typical of alternative medicine is absence of rigorous scientific testing expected of more conventional practices, for safety and efficacy's sakes.
This can furthermore be a controversial topic since it tends to enlist personal opinions or beliefs about alternative medicine, any specific product, brand, or company promotion, comparisons with other forms of healing, and religious and/or political sensitivities.
Conclusion
Alternative healing offers a variety of therapies, but it's important to understand the differences and origins of alternative versus mainstream medicine. Those very labels are quite subjective.
Some alternative therapies may be effective, but others can be risky and lack scientific evidence. Keep your intuition about you, because falling for quackery can be fatal.
Be conscious of marketing strategies and sociopolitical factors that impact the alternative medicine industry.
Stay informed and make educated decisions about your health and well-being. However, don't discount your own "gut" or intuition either.