Hi everyone - im new here so go easy on me I'm studying Anthropology at the moment and i have an idea for a thesis proposal, and i just wanted to see what people had to say. My idea is to examine the apparent re-emergence of 'Alternative therapies' that has happened over the last few decades. Therapies and treatment which would have been laughed at not so long ago in mainstream culture are becoming more and more accepted within Society - hypnotherapy, reiki, EFT, ect. I'd just like to know if people have noticed this too ? My proposal is basically going to be an examination of the rise of alternative treatments as part of the larger re-emergence of alternative or non-mainstream cultures........*breathes again* ok so anybody wanna comment ?

I can say the best alternate medical thing i use is honey and lemon when i have a sore throat. works a treat.. oh and being ill right now im just drinking water with some salt and sugar in it..

I dont take medician unless my leg is hanging off.. we are adapting to it too quickly apparently..

Yeah thats becoming a bit of a problem - immunity to drugs/antibiotics - theres more and more 'superbugs' going around now thanks to our messed up immune systems

That sounds like an awsome thesis. You may want to take a look at the publics general lack of knowledge on alternative medicines and their misperception that the medicinal herb will be safe because it is natural, when many of them actually have toxic effects. I have always found it interesting of why people assume alternative medicines will be safe.

I think there needs to be tighter regulations on who can actually practise alternative therapies and prescribe remedies. Doctors have to study for years and pass exams. I know bona fide alternative therapists also do.

But there are too many people out there attend a 6 week course and set themselves up as a homeopathic, reiki, counsellor, hypnotherapist and start practicing.

I work in an NHS practice who promote alternative medicine where regular treatment fails. We have a contract with the Royal Homeopathic Hospital and also refer people for acupuncture and other healing therapies. All the specialists we use are either ex-NHS Doctors or we know they are bona fide specialists.

I would urge anyone seeking alternative therapy to do thier research on the dispenser.

It has proven a useful aid to conventional medicine, particularly in the past 10 years or so. Whether it actually works or is simply a placebo effect it doesnt matter. The patients wellbeing is the paramount here. We find it extremely useful in treating anxiety and panic attacks.

Yes it is very interesting.Caroline Mace(now that is how it is said but she spells it differently hopefully you know who i`m talking about as i can`t remember the correct spelling sorry),but she has a tape called Spiritual Madness and it is about how the east has met the west and how this come about she explains it so much better than me.

Thanks for the replies guys - some interesting points, i think looking at practitioners of alternative treatments is very important - a lot of the practitioners do not have adequate knowledge about the treatments they use - which of course is dangerous, also the point pos made is very true - more and more people are putting a whole lot of faith into alternative treatments without really any research into posible risks/side effects. I have to say - im really looking forward to getting into this thesis

Hey people - i'm the user formerly known as distopian_karma - i.e. the guy who started this thread i decided to start a new profile....but anyway back to the topic - was just wondering if you guys had any experience of 'conventional' medical practitioners (doctors, hospitals etc) offering 'alternative' treatments as part of a treatment for some kind of affliction ?