Alternative Therapies

by Miller, Debra A.

• ISBN13: 9780737741292
• ISBN10: 0737741295
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-05
• Publisher: Greenhaven Pr

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 13
Introduction	p. 16
What Are Alternative Therapies?
Chapter Overview	p. 21
Chiropractic Therapy Manually Adjusts the Musculoskeletal System to Promote Healing	p. 26
Acupuncture Overview	p. 33
Massage Therapy Seeks to Relieve Stress and Muscle/Joint Pain	p. 39
Homeopathy Treats Symptoms with Like Substances	p. 42
Dietary Supplements Seek to Promote Good Health	p. 46
Energy Healers Work with the Body's Energy Field	p. 52
Naturopathic Medicine Helps the Body Heal Itself	p. 62
Are Alternative Therapies Safe?
Chapter Overview	p. 68
Yes: Alternative Therapies Are Safe
Natural Remedies Offer a Safe Alternative to Dangerous Prescription Drugs	p. 74
Acupuncture Is Safe and Effective	p. 78
Many Alternative Medical Treatments Are Safe If Performed Properly	p. 87
Pets Can Be Safely Treated with Noninvasive, Natural Remedies	p. 92
No: Alternative Therapies Are Not Safe
Natural Does Not Mean Safe	p. 95
The Safety and Quality of Wild Herbs Vary	p. 103
Some Alternative Medicines May Pose Dangers for Kids	p. 107
Are Alternative Therapies Beneficial to Health?
Chapter Preface	p. 114
Yes: Alternative Therapies Are Beneficial to Health
Alternative Medicine Can Save Lives	p. 117
Some Alternative Therapies Have Been Shown to Work	p. 125
Alternative Medicine Can Help Alleviate Pain and Chronic Conditions	p. 128
Alternative Therapies Can Complement Western Medicine	p. 132
No: Alternative Therapies Are Not Beneficial to Health
Alternative Therapies Are Quackery	p. 136
Alternative Medicine Is Ineffective by Definition	p. 144
Naturopathy Is a Pseudoscience	p. 148
Should the Government Regulate Alternative Therapies?
Chapter Overview	p. 159
Yes: The Government Should Regulate Alternative Therapies
Alternative Therapies Should Be Held to the Same Safety and Competency Standards as Conventional Medicine	p. 162
Regulation of Alternative Medicine Is Necessary, but Only After More Research	p. 165
FDA Regulation of Dietary Supplements Should Be Strengthened	p. 169
No: The Government Should Not Regulate Alternative Therapies
Regulation of Alternative Therapies Would Serve No Purpose	p. 174
FDA Regulation of Alternative Therapies Could Cost Medicare Billions of Dollars	p. 178
FDA Regulation of Supplements Would Violate Americans' Health Freedom	p. 181
Organizations to Contact	p. 184
Bibliography	p. 193
Index	p. 198
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