A number of different type of therapies such as homeopathy and acupuncture come under complementary and alliterative medicine (CAM). Complementary medicine is when a non mainstream therapy is used with conventional medicine.
The purpose of this essay is to discuss whether alternative medicine (homeopathy and acupuncture) should be funded by the government. This report will also recommend that acupuncture should be funded and that homeopathy should not.
Introduce and define what complementary and alternative systems of medicine is
Brief Definition of homeopathy and acupuncture
What is the importance of these two things? (for curing/healing illnnesses)
What is the debate?
Thesis statement
1.1 What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine where people believe that an extremely small amount of a substance diluted in water for instance, could heal a person better and faster than general medicine (Vickers,1999). The NHS website states that homeopathy is highly unlikely to heal or help people and that all of this is just psychological (NHS,2018) . However, the British Homeopathic Society proclaim that further controlled trials and research should be taken as there has not been enough investigations to prove that homeopathy is an actual way of treating sickness of any sorts. (British Homeopathic Society,2018)
1.2 Effectiveness of homeopathy
In the process of prescribing the right and accurate medicine or treatment for a patient, the practitioner usually asks the patient to give a detailed overview of their life style such as any medical problems, past involvements with different medicines or treatments this process helps the patient feel as if the doctor is actually trying their absolute best to help the patient making him/her feel emotional ensured. thus helping the practitioner notice any minor or subtle changes to this persons from the perspective of their lifestyle (vickers et al, 1999).Medicines that are homeopathic are diluted to such a degree that it is known to be ultra molecular meaning there is the slightest detection of any substance other than water. many people in this day and age still believe that homeopathic remedies work. However, there is no scientific evidence that homeopathy actually works ( Cucherat et al,1999). As stated above, homeopathy is more likely to be a placebo affect rather than an actual way of treating illnesses. Many scientist disagree with fundamental scientific concepts. As its is almost impossible to explain how a substance so little can effect a human body in any matter (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (NIH) 2015).
1.3 Risks of Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies may have side effects as some medicines could contain a highly diluted drug that could be harmful to an individual leading to side effects or drug interaction (NIH, 2015). Moreover according to the national center for complementary and integrative health (NIH) liquid homeopathic products could contain a high level of alcohol as complementary medicine is allowed more alcohol in their medicines than conventional drugs.
2. What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles in special points of the body that stimulate delta fibers which helps in the relieving of pain and relaxation. (Vickers,1999) . The risks of acupuncture are the transmitting of blood affecting diseases. For example, HIV/STDs (Ambrósio et al, 2012).
2.1 Effectiveness of acupuncture
Acupuncture tends to be preformed by GP’s and sometimes physiotherapists whom have taken a course. usually sessions for treatment takes around 20 to 40 minutes and cost from 40 to 70 British Pounds. Throughout the treatment the practitioner takes amount of previous medical history, general health and a physical examination.
Citing from (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2017), many results from a number of studies have showed great effectiveness in the treatments from acupunctures which often treats chronic pain.
2.2 Risks of acupuncture
over the years, serious injuries caused by acupuncture has been significantly low. the only injuries acquired by some people happens to be minor bruising and scaring, however serious injuries have resulted because the practitioners may have had bad hygiene or not enough training.
2.3 Public Demand
As man kind gradually evolves the public demand for homeopathy and acupuncture decreases as the evolution of general medicine increases. however according to the British homeopathic association, since 2011 there was an increase of 3% in sales of homeopathic and herbal remedies in 2012 and an increase in 16% over the past 5 years in the United States of America, meaning that homeopathic remedies have been in high demand for the public (British Homeopathic Association, 2018).