A movement toward "alternative" medicine

The Associated Press reported in July, 2009 that Americans are spending over 34 billion dollars annually on “alternative medicines”. The amount spent on visits to chiropractors, acupuncturists, practitioners of homeopathy, and other “alternative” modalities, and the medicines recommended by these practitioners is beginning to rival the out of pocket costs spent on traditional western (modern)  medicine. Mothers are frequently opting not to have their children vaccinated against lethal childhood diseases due to concerns of mercury toxicity, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and autism. I even have an acquaintance diagnosed with HIV who is considering herbal remedies instead of his doctor prescribed anti-viral medications. As a long time disciple of western medical practices I am forced to ask myself… what is going on?!? Is every one going crazy?

I practiced as an internal medicine doctor in a small town in North Carolina for several years. I had and still have several standard lines that I say to my patients who inquire about the benefits of taking supplemental doses of various vitamins and herbal remedies. Included among these is: “If it really works it likely would be proven.” I will then recite that the NIH now has an institute of alternative medicine which funds research on alternative therapy. Therefore, if a well designed trial had been done proving a therapy’s benefits we would know about it. It appears the makers of these drugs have a vested interest in not doing these studies which are as likely as not to disprove the touted benefits of their remedies.  If the patient is still listening to me I will usually then go on to list examples such as vitamin E which was felt to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke and was being recommended by almost all cardiologists 8-9 years ago only to find in subsequent studies that it increased the risk of stroke. I will then add, “Unless there is a well proven benefit, why spend your money on something that is as likely to harm you as help you?”

By now, you are likely taking me for a cynic and you would largely be correct. I have devoted my entire career to learning the scientific method and believe in the necessity of well designed randomized controlled studies to guide our practices. But even I recognize the groundswell of enthusiasm for another way. Modern medicine is largely responsible. The pressure to see patients in 15 minute visits, prescribe an expensive medicine for every malady, and the lack of physical contact that permeates current medical practice in undeniable.

In response to this dilemma I have chosen to place my skepticism on the back shelf and undertake a true examination of alternative medicine. Over the next year I plan on posting weekly accounts of my personal quest for the truth as I put “Alternative Medicine under the Microscope”.