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© Copyright 2003, Jim Loy
I think there is quite a bit of validity to some ideas and treatments in some of the various alternative medicines. For example, some of the pills (vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, bromelain, and others) have widely recognized health benefits. For that matter, just a positive attitude, encouraged along with the treatment, has recognized health benefits, which may sometimes be more powerful than conventional medicine. But along with the valid ideas, we often get a generous helping of magic. See Homeopathic Dilution.
Many years ago, I visited my Chiropractor, and he proceeded to recommend a healthful food supplement. He put the box containing the product (one of which was bone meal, a healthy substance with plenty of minerals) on my chest and had me resist while he pushed on my arm. He then put another box on my chest and again pushed on my arm. He did this several times, and it became apparent that he thought that the pills on my chest affected my strength of resistance, and would indicate which food supplement that I needed. I also realized for the first time that he had done this to me, three or four times previously. I didn't buy his food supplement, and I left in anger, and never went back.
I think that health care professionals, MD's and otherwise, should keep the patient informed of what they are doing. It can only cause problems when the professional and the patient disagree about the treatment. And that goes for blatant magic, too. If both the professional and the patient go for the above kind of hocus pocus, then fine, maybe it works. I have since heard that the above magic technique is somewhat controversial, but is taught in Chiropractic schools. It is blatant malpractice, in my opinion.