Why are some people so ferociously attacking alternative healing methods?

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   Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years ago

   Why are some people so ferociously attacking alternative healing methods?
   
   What is it that makes them jump on every hint that pharmaceuticals might not be the only solution?
   
   Why do they even break a sweat over the benefits or claims of natural healing methods, be it Energy Medicine or Homeopathy? Why do they go to such great lengths trying to convince others that everything that has to do with alternative healing is humbug?

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   scottcgruberposted 12 years ago

   Because everything to do with alternative healing is humbug. Alternative medicine consists of unproven remedies peddled to the gullible as "alternatives" to the evils of "mainstream medicine."
   
   If a remedy is proven to work in double-blind trials, then it is no longer alternative medicine. Then it is medicine.
   
   Why do we break a sweat? Because people have died relying on bogus methods such as homeopathy to treat cancer and other life-threatening ailments. The list of victims of alternative "medicine" includes children who either died or suffered permanent injury as a result of their parents denying them treatment for illnesses in order to "treat" them with placebo-based bogus remedies. That is child abuse.
   
   Are actual medical remedies perfect? Of course not. Are people injured by conventional treatments occasionally? Yes. But at least these treatments have been proven to be effective in some cases. Alternative remedies have not.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, you must either work for them or somehow managed to close your eyes completely for the shortcomings and often outright dangers of Big Pharma! Amazing!

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      scottcgruberposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You don't need to be a big Pharma shill to see that homeopathy is bogus. All you need is some basic understanding of chemistry.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well, as long as you approach homeopathy from a number-cruncher perspective, you'll never understand it. Ever heard that there was more between heaven and earth than the eye can detect? So you're not using cellphones either?

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      scottcgruberposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I understand it just fine. The fact that you cannot explain how homeopathy "works" without magical thinking tells me everything I need to know.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I guess,Quantumphysics also falls under witchcraft and magical thinking?

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      fpherj48posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      scottc...Evidentally, you missed my comment.  When I switched from statins to  Red Yeast rice, my cholesterol numbers IMPROVED for the 1st. time in years, without dangerous side effects.  THAT is not only proof enough for ME...My Dr. was convinced!

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      lone77starposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Automatic red flag on the word "everything!"
      
      Some alternative healing techniques have been used for millennia! Why? Because they work.
      
      Big Pharma is about profits. Any cure jeopardizes profits.

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      scottcgruberposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "Everything" was Dorothee's word, so blame her not me. Yes, some "alternative" medicines have been used for centuries. Some have even been shown to work in clinical trials. At that point, they're no longer "alternative" - they're just medicine.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      LoneStar, you've used the magical word: cure. Really not much money to make with THAT. Not interesting.

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   Knogginposted 12 years ago

   It is not openly endorsed by main media nor are the benefits incorporated in our educational system. And even those who get regular check ups are not taught about the benefits of using vitamins on a regular basis, by the doctor they trust with their life.
   
   What it comes down to is money and ignorance. Money because big pharma has more control over pharmaceuticals than natural herbs. Ignorance on the part of the majority because they refuse to even consider there is always a better way.
   
   You can never be more than what you are taught you are.  You will never question your teaching unless you volley the courage to question the teacher.

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   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I would say because many of the methods are unproven and unregulated creating a huge breeding ground for fraud.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I'd say that goes for both sides. As to dangers, I think Pharma is ahead...
      
      http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic … in-us.aspx

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      duffsmomposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed.

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   brakel2posted 12 years ago

   There is no reason to attack it , but some elements are not proven. I always ask my doctor and sometimes pharmacist. However, I took some l'arginine pills sold by a physician, and ended up with bleeding issue. You must be very careful about what you put in your body. Even some vitamins have aspartame ingredient. Be sure to read labels and ask lots of questions. Aspartame
   Sweetener can also cause issues.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      On this token...
      
      http://products.mercola.com/sweet-deception
      
      Interesting read!

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      Valeneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Love Dr. Mercola and his myth-busting on the Western medical and food industry! He's all over it.

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      SidKempposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In all medicine and even engineering, there are unproven elements. Engineering built bridges 2,000 years before science could explain why they don't fall down. If we wait for scientific medicine, we'll be dead before there's a cure!

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   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   Natural remedies work. The media, when they do mention it, seem to go straight for the few issues that come from using natural remedies instead of talking about all the positives.
   An odd example of a natural remedy working is the way vinegar is able to rid athletes foot. There is no placebo to it. I have seen it work on my son after reading hundreds of reviews for it and talking to our doctor about it. Yet so many take a pill for it that has a list a mile long full of horrible things that could happen if you take it.
   No one wants to do blind trials on many natural remedies because this takes away from the pockets of the government and Pharm companies.
   Medications are pushed and at times forced onto us. My daughter will be unable to attend public school because she can not be vaccinated. Makes no sense to me.
   With that said everyone should talk to their doctor before trying any natural remedy. We had a local girl die last year because turned out the girl had an allergic reaction to the high amount of ginger her mother gave her. All things in moderation and talk with a good doctor!

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      scottcgruberposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't have a problem with natural remedies if they can be proven to work. Treating athlete's foot with vinegar makes sense - the acid in the vinegar kills fungal cells. My problem is with methods that invoke magic in order to work.

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      SavannahEveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So sorry about the vaccination thing.  I understand. Thank God we have waivers here.You are correct in everything you say here!Herbs and supplements cured my cancer.Doctors wanted to radiate and chemo me to deathThere is money in Pharma. Money talks.

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   fpherj48posted 12 years ago

   There could be any number of reasons.  I'd have a tendency to think that the people who are so negative in this regard, are negative people, in general.  There surely is no valid reason to get crazy over alternative healing.  It's not as though anyone will be forcing these people to accept these methods and/or use them.  Silly, IMO. It's mostly the DRUG companies.....greedy creeps that they are.
   I'm 100% FOR Homeopathy, Natural Supplements......alternative means to healing.
   Personally, I have been able to go off two of my pharmaceutical Meds by replacing with a substitute from Mother Nature.  Specifically, when I became well-educated via extensive research on the serious dangers & side effects of STATINS......I told my Dr. first, that I'd be throwing mine out and using Red Yeast Rice tablets instead.  She was totally fine with my decision.  End result?  All of my cholesterol levels were much improved from the previous blood work while on the statin.   There are hundreds of thousands of people "wising up" about Prescription meds.
   I realize that some ARE absolutely necessary and should not be ceased.  However, there are numerous Pharmaceuticals that can easily and SAFELY be substituted.  IMO, we should take as few Rx's as we can get away with.....
   For women in particular, of menopausal age, I strongly recommend books written by Suzanne Somers.  She spent years studying, researching and consulting with varied physicians from all over the world.  Used herself as a Test subject and the results are nothing less than spectacular!.....and that's MY 2 cents!  LOL

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Red Yeast Rice tablets? Interesting, have to look those up! A propos, don't know if you read about the newest Plavix study? See here:
      
      http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic … risks.aspx
      
      Very important!

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      fpherj48posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't...but surely will, thanks to you!

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      scottcgruberposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, a substance that has been found in clinical trials to reduce cholesterol.
      
      It is also known as lovastatin, the statin used in Mevacor. So you substituted those "dangerous statins" with a statin.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Scottcgruber, thanks for letting us participate in your superior knowledge, and hopefully, you will always be very happy with whatever medication you might take. But could you not attack others about their choices, especially if they work...?

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      scottcgruberposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No, I'll impart my superior knowledge whenever I want, thanks. If pointing out that someone's "alternative medicine" is actually clinically-proven medicine is an "attack," then I will continue to attack as I please.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The whole mantra about 'clinically proven' is also a scam, pulling the wool over the eyes of those who desperately want to believe in it's validity. A long as you don't know who's paid by whom, you cannot believe in these so-called clinical studies.

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Dorothee..stopped by again, out of the blue, and I see there's a self-appointed expert here.  OK by me...maybe the pharm companies are his bread and butter.  I "replaced a "dangerous" stain with a statin?"  He forgot to say SAFE statin!

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      scottcgruberposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Got it. So the same statin drug is "dangerous" when produced by Big Pharma, but "safe" when produced by Little Pharma? Yes, that makes sense.
      
      It's adorable the way you alt-med shills backpedal when faced with the facts.

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   ESPeck1919posted 12 years ago

   I think there are quite a few reasons behind it...personally, I'm all for alternative medicine after a reasonable amount of research and, if you're on meds for serious issues, discussion with your doctor. I've benefited far more from common sense "alternative" treatment than most mainstream medicine I've come across.
   
   But like I said, MOST mainstream medicine. Western meds are a last resort in my book, and when my body doesn't react violently, they have helped in rare cases.
   
   But anyway, these are some of the reasons I've encountered -
   
   1. Fear - A lot of people are insanely attached to their meds, and although some meds are necessary for chronic conditions and organ transplant recipients, there are quite a few problems, like acid imbalances, that can be cured through a change in the diet.
   
   Another motivator behind the fear is misinformation about both alternative and pharmaceuticals. There are charlatans on both sides of the isle, but since alternative medicine isn't regulated for the most part, it's easier for people looking to make a buck to go into business with relatively little expense up front.
   
   Different is scary. They don't know what will happen if they try something new, and alternative medicine seems exotic to them. I don't think a lot of people realize just how dangerous supposedly "safe" medications are.
   
   2. Status quo - I've experienced quite a bit of back-lash about my choices in health care, and I know there are folks who don't want to suffer from the same sort of prejudicial treatment. It's also difficult to find doctors who don't try to make you conform.
   
   3. Lack of studies - A lot of this one is BS. There is a huge lack of AMERICAN studies, but herbalism has been studied formally and extensively in other countries, like Germany. Universities in India have also had many studies showing use of various herbs and acupuncture has been proven effective as anesthetic during surgery in China.
   
   However, the practices of chiropractic care, massage and acupuncture are all acknowledged by the American medical establishment, but they're still frowned upon by a huge part of the populace because they're still so stigmatized.
   
   Big pharma and the insurance industry are to thank for this. Why prove something they don't have a monopoly on effective when they can't make a profit?
   
   Geeze, maybe I should just write a hub about this...

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good idea! :-)
      
      I think, one important point is also the monopolisation of all mainstream media, which effectively can starve out everything that is not approved by our 'new masters'.

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   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   Profit!
   
   Big Pharma has a fiduciary duty to strengthen the bottom line.
   
   I wrote a hub on cancer statistics which shows a world map proving a relationship between Western food and chemicals with cancer. A startling correlation. The following video gives some of the history and alternative medicine cures that have been attacked by AMA and Big Pharma for their threats on profits.
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnaBG177VIw
   
   Have people ever killed for money? How about billions of dollars in profits, threatened by real cures that have been proven to work, but which the "establishment" has been unwilling to test in an honest and transparent fashion?
   
   Big Pharma has been caught lying and peddling dangerous drugs in the past. While this doesn't prove that all Pharma employees are bad (they aren't), it does show that they are not immune to temptation and corruption.
   
   And in order to gain a monopoly, wouldn't you think that greedy men might create a "false flag" event to prompt legislation to outlaw "alternative" medicine? The Rockefellers were instrumental in this, and they are Big Oil. Their Big Oil chemicals are in more products than you can shake a stick at.
   
   The Rockefeller foundation was established in 1913, the same year they helped push through personal income tax and the establishment of the private Federal Reserve Bank.
   
   It isn't just about our health that's at stake. It's our liberty, as well.
   
   9/11 was a Rockefeller operation. And when they come to you to embed a microchip in your hand or wrist, you can thank the Rockefellers for this version of "1984." Watch the late Aaron Russo as he reveals what they have in store for us.
   
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaOj-rOGZFE
   
   Question authority. Walk away from the machine. Boycott corporations. Sound extreme? It's 1776 all over again, baby. Do it peacefully, though.
   
   I trusted my doctor and almost died because of it. I stopped taking Big Pharma drugs and started improving my health with natural methods and folk remedies. No more acid reflux and arteries far cleaner than they were 6 years ago.
   
   I'll still see a medical doctor in an emergency. They're good for that, but they're horrible for long-term health. Big Pharma stands for disease maintenance, not health maintenance.

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      Dorothee-Gyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      As much as I would like to say that you're seeing it to dark, I know you're on point with most you say. It's all upside down now, everything that was supposed to help us, is now threatening us and our freedom. I wonder, was it planned that way?

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    Lipnancyposted 12 years ago

    I think it has to do with the fact that we are taught that the scientific method is the only method. Many of the other healing methods have not been studied or when they are, they are studied by the pharmaceutical companies, which do not want them to work. I say try the healing and see if it works for you.

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    SidKempposted 11 years ago

    In general, most people are very fearful about their health. They don't just depend on doctors and Western medicine, they depend on them due to a fear of illness, and need to have unquestioning, blind faith that the doctors their parents trusted will do the right thing. Challenging that perspective with the truth that there are less expensive, more effective ways to become healthy is very threatening to their dependency. Proposing an alternative solution on health issues - even just by living it - threatens their assumptions of being in good hands.

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