B.U. Bridge is published by the Boston University Office of University Relations.

Contact Us

Staff

East meets West: alternative medicine

I have chronic lower back pain and am considering alternative medicines like acupuncture to treat it. Are alternative therapies effective? How can I decide which would be best for me?

Acupuncture is just one of the many alternative therapies gaining acceptance among physicians in the United States and Europe. Acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal medicine are considered alternative or complementary treatments, meaning that they are used alone or in addition to conventional methods. According to the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), these types of treatment are generally defined as health-care practices not taught widely in medical schools, not often used in hospitals, and not usually reimbursed by medical insurance companies.

The NCCAM has 25 different categories of alternative therapies, covering everything from therapeutic touch to chiropractic. Some of these therapies have approaches consistent with the principles of Western medicine, while others have a completely different basis and origin. In addition, some therapies are considered preventive - that is, they are used consistently to prevent disease or ill-health from arising. Others use a holistic approach, which means that the treatment examines every aspect of the patient's life, including diet, sleep patterns, and other concerns not usually implicated in disease.

Alternative therapies are slowly gaining acceptance among physicians for several reasons. Several major Western medical schools have completed studies showing that certain therapies are effective. In addition, the number of people seeking alternative treatment has dramatically increased.

Acupuncture is perhaps one of the most familiar types of alternative therapies. Long, thin, hollow needles are inserted into a person's body at various locations, with the goal of realigning and balancing the flow of energy to improve health. Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Chinese medicine for thousands of years, has been shown to reduce pain, aid sleep, and reduce stress.

Because complementary and alternative medicine comprise a variety of approaches, each system trains practitioners accordingly. Students of acupuncture must undergo a rigorous three-year training program, followed by at least one year of apprenticeship. Like traditional medical students, acupuncture practitioners spend a comparable amount of time learning the system. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine cannot be learned in a weekend seminar.

NCCAM recommends that anyone interested in pursuing alternative therapy speak in detail with his or her primary care physician. Ideally, you'll want to speak with a physician trained in both Western medicine and alternative medicine. Both Western and some alternative therapies have developed very effective treatments for some serious diseases, and these therapies can be used together for maximum effect.

It's also important to discuss the alternative practitioner's training and background, just as you would a physician's, before pursuing treatment. You wouldn't want to be treated by a physician who isn't properly trained and the same guidelines apply for alternative practitioners.

Finally, be sure to consult your primary care physician during the alternative treatment process. He or she will monitor your progress using traditional methods, and will make certain that the alternative treatment is not harmful in any way. For more information on the NCCAM's guidelines about complementary and alternative therapies, visit its Web site at www.nccam.nih.gov.

"Health Matters" is written in cooperation with staff members of Boston Medical Center. For more information on alternative medicine or other health matters, call 617-638-6767.

28 September 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations