Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The number of Complementary and Alterative medicine (CAM) consumer is constantly increasing. According to the National Health Information survey in 2004, nearly 40% of American adults used some form of alternative therapies and spend around 30 billion dollars per year on unconventional medicine (Kayne 2008, p.93). The term “alternative medicine” refers to all the therapeutic practice that is not part of the conventional medicine such as: herbal medicine, acupuncture and yoga (Hirsch, 2009). Allopathic medicine is based on scientific knowledge that has already been proven efficient whereas most of homeopathic treatments are based on tradition and beliefs in spiritual energies. It will be argued that although logical issues and concerns dealing with the unconventional therapy, the various advantages of homeopathic methods outweigh any potential inconveniences if it is well practiced and complementary. This is essay will examine the various drawbacks and benefits of this therapeutical approach.

First of all, on the disadvantage side alternative medicine usually does not heal the patient instantly. Indeed herbal treatments for instance can take weeks before a real improvement appeared. Sometimes numerous acupuncture sessions or massages are required for a long lasting result. As a consequence the one concerned can get impatient and decided to switch to a more conventional healing. Moreover, according to Dr.Hirsch (2009) to adopt CAM it demands to invest a considerable amount of time, energy and money (as it is rarely covered by health insurance). Furthermore, doctor denounces the fact that some people choose to treat some severe disease primarily with alternative therapies whereas it should only be in addition to conventional medicine. Under those circumstances, damage can be done beyond repair by the time the patient realize that the treatment do not work at all. Besides, CAM practices can meddle with conventional medication,