Sociological Impacts

It could be considered that conventional medicine has indirectly contributed to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine. A broad definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is “a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health-care system” (The World Health Organisation, n.d.). Expanding on this definition it is important to address the variable similarities of CAM modalities. CAM therapies across the various modalities have in common a shared, in varying degrees, holistic approach and subscribe to some form of vitality - a contrast from the science-based view point of conventional medicine prevalent in western society. In spite of CAM therapies empirical nature and efficacies, it is suggested that dissatisfaction of conventional medicine underpins the popularity it has garnered, thus, it will be examined further as to how and why. A further discussion will be made to related dangers of both alternative and science-based medicine; providing an opportunity to constructively educate the public on the differences between the two systems.

Throughout the years there have been two traditions within the practice of medicine. One is the 'art of healing ' which involves its own specialised brand of training. The art of healing is dependent on the prescriber 's foreknowledge and the clients’ viewpoint of the prosperous results. The 'Science of healing ' is based on scientific and technological ideas. This tradition results in a lower liability for practitioners regarding the showing of an original approach to medicine, however the results of this method are more calculable (Kayne 2002). It is believed that the tradition of the ‘art of healing’ is increasing in popularity. The World Health Organisation states ' 'that the terms ' 'complementary medicine ' ' or ' 'alternative medicine’ ' are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. They refer to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country 's own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system” (World Health Organization 2000). This type of treatment, is commonly known as ‘Complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM). The word complementary derives from the meaning ‘together with’ established practices and the word alternative refers to ‘in place’ of established practices. Some patients choose to participate in complementary therapies along with the medication prescribed by their general practitioner whilst others prefer complementary therapies as opposed to the medications

An increasing number of medical schools are now offering courses in alternative medicine for their students, and some hospitals already have alternative medicine departments. The availability of healers and doctors practicing holistic medicine has also increased in recent years, and more and more people are educating themselves in these new fields. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that between 65 and 80 percent of the world’s population (about 3 billion people) rely on traditional medicine as their primary form of health care.

This, therefore, takes us to the most shared concerns people present about how homeopathic medicines are manufactured and of their safety. The raw materials used for various homeopathic medicines are known poisons. Samuel Hahnemann’s goal was to search for a means to treat patients less severely than the treatments used in his day, which often involved purging, leeching, bloodletting,

Oliver Wendell Holmes went on to rebut each of Hahnemann’s “delusions” in seventy-four pages but, his words notwithstanding, by the late 19th century almost ten thousand healers practiced homeopathic medicine, 10% of all doctors nationwide. Its popularity was greatest among the country’s influential and wealthy, and why not? After all, it was gentle and seemed to be based on scientific sounding principles. Moreover, homeopaths encouraged such common sense activities as eating well, exercising vigorously, fresh air and sunshine while orthodox physicians spent their time promoting bleeding and purging. To defend against incursions by economic competitors, in 1847 the “regulars” (including Holmes) formed the American Medical Association which promptly banned members from

Alternative medicine is novel to many western healthcare practices today, however its roots date back to more than 5000 years ago. The origin of alternative medicine is difficult to illustrate because it has influences from many diverse cultures including indigenous populations in the Americas and European civilians such as Romans and Greeks. However, many historians credit the Eastern traditions such as Ancient Chinese, Ancient Indian, and Ancient Egyptian practices as the true pioneers to alternative medicine as we see today. Alternative medicine has transversed to the West as many healthcare practices are in the pursuit of integrating eastern medicine ideals to their already established western medicine. However, how do these practices

Homeopathy closes the distance between healer and patient. A gap that some argue mainstream medicine not only created but continues to widen with it's tendency towards coldness and indifference to it's patients.

One of the most commonly cited reasons for using CAM is that it is perceived as “natural” (Hill-Sakurai et al, 2008). Women argue that previous generations of women were able to make due using natural methods, so they should be able to as well. However, despite their adamance that CAM is natural, there does not appear to be a clear consensus on what exactly “natural” means. One could assume that they mean to say that CAM is free from chemicals, but this is untrue on a basic level. Many CAM practices, such as herbal remedies, rely upon the chemicals in the herbs to combat the patient’s symptoms. One could assume instead that these women mean to say that CAM is free of processed substances, but in the case of homeopathy, this is not the case. Therefore, it is helpful to look at alternate reasons for women’s reliance upon CAM. Another approach is that CAM is compatible with the values and philosophical orientations of these women. (Hill-Sakurai et al, 2008). One of the core values mentioned is a focus on globalization, feminism, and inner life (Goldstein, 2002). The impact of globalization on CAM is fairly straightforward - CAM draws upon the traditional medicines of China, India, and the Americas, as well as traditional folk remedies of Western cultures. Examples of some of these practices include yoga, dong quai, acupuncture, and traditional Native American herbal remedies such as red clover. (Im, E. et al,

Introduction. Homeopathy has been practiced for hundreds of years and people are still confused on what homeopathy actually entails. Presented below is a crash course on 5 different aspects of this unique and mind blowing complementary and alternative medicine: Origin and Historical Use, Healing Philosophy and Mechanism, Biomedical Interpretations, Common Indications, and Associated Risks and Costs.

Both Western medicine and homoeopathy have their own advantages that separates them from each other. The drugs used by western medicine doctors make it difficult for the disease to spread and is a faster way of curing the patient (Mind Body Green, 2017). Western medicine has a higher efficacy compared to homoeopathy, where more than half of the chronic and acute problems are cured successfully (Butter Nutrition, 2017). Furthermore, it is developed from clinical trials, hence it is evidence-based medicine and reliable for patient treatment. The training received by professionals is also at a higher standard, reducing the risk of accidents or complications (Australian Medical Association, 2017). On the other hand, homoeopathy can minimize side effects and, it is gentle and safer for long-term use since there are fewer side effects due to the remedies being natural. Homeopathy actually builds a person’s immune system and makes that person highly resistant to many diseases (deliciousliving, 2017). It could be an alternative if mainstream medicine fails to treat an illness where, the treatments are cheap and easy to dispense. This is why homoeopathy is famous in developing countries and rural areas of Australia (The Australian Rural Doctor, 2017).

They along with many other authors (Sointu 2006) suggests that negative experiences within conventional medical practises can cause disenchantment and initiate people to seek out other methods of elevating their health care problems. They also cite from sociological studies that impersonal practises and the inability to cure chronic illness is part of the explanation for the move to use CAM and alternative therapies (Telford, Kralik, Koch,2006). The results of the study indicate that another reason for uptake is the fact that many believed in the trends of alternative methods and choose to use a ‘consumerist attitude’ (Sharma, 1992:80) to obtaining health care. Consumer demand has brought about the changes associated with CAM and alternative therapies use. The increase in several countries at grass root level as suggested by Barry (2005) has influenced the integration of several therapies into biomedical healthcare systems. Consumerism was one of the main ideas to influence factor incorporated in the changes to the NHS in the 1970’s. Consumerism led systems meant a more flexible and responsive health service which encouraged inclusion and self- help. This shift in thinking was brought about partly by consumer demand growing ever higher and medical sociologists debating changes to how society views illness and health

The scientific community is much quicker to label this second type as quacks, whereas the scientific community has failed to gain a consensus on the legitimacy of the first type. Unfortunately, both are encompassed by the term alternative medicine. This paper will focus on the more controversial alternative medicines described in the first group.

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medication that has been increasing in popularity in today’s society. It is often substituted for conventional medication14. Homeopathy was created in the seventeen hundreds when German doctor Samuel Hahnemann concluded that if a substance can induce the symptoms of an illness in a healthy person, then it can treat those symptoms in an ill person. He first tested Cinchona bark, a treatment for malaria, on himself and said to have experienced the symptoms of malaria. He also concluded that the medicine was more effective in a lower concentration therefore he invented the process of succession to reduce the side effects of the medicine and to increase its ability to heal13.

Homeopathy was developed during the Industrial Revolution, a period encompassing vast technological, economic and social changes. Many people belonging to the lower class were forced to live in poor living conditions and there developed an increased need for hospital, doctors and medication.

Have you ever heard of homeopathy? You probably have, but have no idea what it really is. Homeopathy is a system of medicine that treats an illness or condition with highly diluted concentrations of natural ingredients that mimic the symptoms of the condition being treated. It seems like an odd premise, but in spite of the unusual mechanism behind it, it is a very effective method for treating disease.