Customer Reviews

Alternative Medicine

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This ambitious project by Doctors O'Mathuna and Larimore exceeded my expectations. Their clearly stated purposes are: to point out benefits of alternative medicine; to explain the potential risks of alternative medicine; to anticipate the reader's questions; provide objective answers.
Starting with overviews and definitions of alternative and conventional medicine, they acknowledge the limitations of both types of medicine and explore some follies perpetrated over the centuries in the names of both orthodoxy and alternatives. They then move on to discuss Christian principles of health. Their definition of holistic health does not narrowly view it as the pursuit of physical health solely, but as part of the means to a successful life that includes physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects. They also offer well-researched biblical explanations for illness and suffering. Lastly, they offer advice on how to pursue good health. This last section is somewhat lacking in its own academic rigor as far as documenting the efficacy of their recommendations. However, I found all of their listed suggestions to be very reasonable. It is hard to argue with advocates of preventative health care visits, exercise and balanced diets.
The authors' spiritual analysis of each therapy, measuring each against a bible-based standard, sets this book apart from others. Such information is important because of the current trend to equate some health behaviors with spiritual maturity, or to presume that "anything that works must be good (or from God)." O'Mathuna and Larimore carefully look at each treatment or supplement to evaluate possible spiritual implications, using as much of the original source materials in each area as possible. They also present both the overt and covert spiritual worldviews of the therapies' practitioners. Some of these are incompatible with biblical truth, and Christians must steer clear of them. However, both authors also acknowledge that sometimes one's choice of health behaviors (e.g. dietary choices) comes down to a personal conviction and not a biblical command.
Before diving into their evaluation of each specific therapy, they present how they objectively evaluate them to determine effectiveness and safety. Their concise primer on the scientific method and statistics is helpful for any reader unskilled in critically evaluating the medical literature. They briefly discuss their statistical methods, why and how the methods originated, and then freely acknowledge the limitations and weaknesses statistical methods have and their need for continued refinements.
If you are looking for a sweeping condemnation of all alternative medicine, you will be disappointed (and shame on you anyway). They clearly state when there is good evidence for the effectiveness of alternative therapies, even if it ruffles the feathers of some conventionalists. Conversely, they are willing to sternly warn of the ineffectiveness, wastefulness, and potential dangers of therapies that do not meet their objective standards. They base their reviews on the best international literature available. This use of international literature is particularly important given that many of the best studies available, and in some cases the only studies done, were not performed in the United States or published in English-based journals.
After a short explanation of how to interpret some of their smiley faced and check-marked tables, they launch into a structured analysis of alternative medical practices that includes acupuncture, biofeedback, magnet therapy, Tai Chi, yoga and 35 other modalities.
The book's last major section succinctly evaluates 56 herbal remedies, vitamins and dietary supplements. The `medicinal herbs' reviewed include ones familiar and foreign to me, such as: aloe, ephedra, milk thistle, pennyroyal, vitamin C, and zinc. They neither trample on nor trumpet any given supplement. Rather, they apply consistent standards and report their results.
O'Mathuna and Larimore's research helps patients and practitioners alike to avoid alternative therapies that are medically dangerous, drains to their pocketbooks, and in some cases, spiritually worrisome. On the other hand, for modalities or supplements of proven value, they inform the reader as to what specific condition(s) they treat and how to determine how much active element an herbal or vitamin product contains.
This is an excellent, readable resource for health practitioners and patients alike. Alternative medicines and therapies are used by up to 40 percent of patients. Most patients and practitioners alike are woefully uneducated about the data that supports or disapproves the efficacy of these non-conventional approaches. Similarly, most Christians are unaware of the spiritual significance the practitioners of some of these therapies ascribe to them, with attendant dangers. In my opinion, neither the giver nor the receiver of health care can afford to be without this valuable reference.

This book is truly unique. With scientific excellence and compassion, O'Mathuna and Larimore give readers an outstanding resource on alternative medicine. The book works well whether you are a health care practitioner or a layperson considering using an alternative modality for your health. The book is also worth having if you are not a Christian, for although they write from this viewpoint, it contains scientifically sound advice for all faiths.

The authors begin the book by reviewing what Alternative Medicine is. Then, they move to quickly diffuse the frequent conflict between "conventional" and "alternative" medicine by giving a brief history of how "conventional" medicine came to be conventional. After a few chapters on specifically Christian concerns regarding health care, pain, and suffering. They also provide a balanced review of what kind of problems to watch out for in Alternative Medicine (e.g., outright fraud, etc.).

Then, they turn to perhaps one of the most clearly written exposition of evidence-based medicine for the layperson, entitled: "How science tests therapies and remedies." This helpful chapter is the springboard into the practical portion of the book (pages 133-477). Those hundreds of pages list alphabetically, the majority of alternative medicine modalities in existence today. Included are a text review and a summary section for each, describing what indications the modality is used for, and separately listing on a scale of -4 to +4 how helpful the evidence suggests the therapy is. Additionally, in the text, as they discuss the evidence, they rate how reliable the evidence is (i.e., what type of study), which is very helpful.

To summarize, this is a well organized book for a wide-variety of audiences. I have found it a worthy reference in a conventional medical practice context.

John B. Waits, MD

I always wondered if vitamins really helped improve health and mood. Thankfully, now I know due to the exhaustive work of Larimore and Mathuna in Alternative Medicine- The Christian Handbook.

It is amazingly simple to use, and covers every topic imaginable. (The section on diets was especially interesting with lots of useful sidebars). It presents both sides of the issues in a very readable fashion from a medical perspective. If you want to end the confusion about which alternative medicine techniques really work, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of this practical reference guide.

Dwight Bain, Nationally Certified Counselor Orlando, FL

It is rare to read a book on Alternative Medicine, which is not openly biased toward one opinion or another; but Alternative Medicine-The Christian Handbook is different. The book clearly outlines the evidenced-based criteria used for the evaluation of each therapy, and simply seeks to inform the reader. It does this in an understandable, readable format. I was especially impressed with the breadth of the therapies covered. As an Osteopathic Physician, I was particularly interested in the book's discussion of manipulative therapies and was very satisfied with the content and quality of the comments. I highly recommend the book to patients and physicians, who wish to learn more about this dynamic area of medicine.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the author's detailed and thoughtful exploration and evidence-based approach to an area that had been very confusing for me. I also appreciate the information about the spiritual implications of the more common alternative medicine practices. Quite honestly, in order to attempt to keep up with the volumes of evidence-based information that seems to grow daily in conventional medicine, I have largely avoided becoming more informed in the arena of alternative medicine. However, rarely a week goes by that I am not asked by my patients about some herbal treatment, alternative therapy or new "miracle remedy". In the past my approach has been to explain that most of these therapies are relatively untested. After reviewing with them any obvious interactions that I am aware of, I would explain that if they seem to feel better, the choice was up to them. I could not recommend one way or the other. This has bothered me but without a reliable resource of plainly and concisely written EVIDENCE-BASED information I felt the task was simply too time consuming and overwhelming. After reading this well written handbook I am convinced that this is a book that will have a prominent place on my office bookshelf and will be used frequently. I have already used it to answer questions that patients, colleagues and friends have presented in recent weeks. I have and will recommend it to my colleagues and patients. I especially appreciate the concise, honest and open reviews of the history and theories behind conventional and alternative medicine therapies. As a Christian physician I also appreciate the reviews of danger areas in alternative medicine therapies that might otherwise seem innocent to the uninformed observer. I am thankful to Drs. Mathuna and Larimore for their clear, concise, scientific, Biblical and easy to use reference guide. I highly recommend it to both medical practitioners and patients.

a place to turn to get honest, biblical and easy-to-read information about the many different approaches to medicine. With so many philosophies floating around, I'm grateful to find a simple approach to healthy healthcare. I'm also grateful to the authors/doctors who put this together in one, handy place. Thank you!

I had to give this book 2 stars for the parts which explain what alternative therapies are and what the philosophies are behind each one. And I also do respect the point of view taken by the writers, being medical doctors, that they cannot approve of something that has not been thoroughly tested and proven to work in the same way Western medicine is tested before being approved.

However, this is not the only way to view such remedies. Many of the remedies they examined have been used with success for thousands of years in Eastern medicine or primitive cultures that are not dominated by modern medicine. Natural remedies work very differently than modern medicines, so that you will not get the same types of results you would expect from scientific testing. Modern medicine does not understand things like balancing the chakras or equalizing the yin-yang in a person, which is much different than the pathology-based theories that modern doctors operate on.

Spiritually speaking, I did not appreciate the point of view in this book. It seems to indicate that Christians should be spiritually paranoid, which I think is a mistake. There is wisdom to be gained in such ancient things that we need not fear, as long as we are not worshipping other gods or being led estray to follow other doctrines. Many Christians do turn to alternative remedies when modern medicine fails them, or they want something more natural to heal them. And the spiritual aspects of those methods don't bother them anymore than the spiritual aspects of modern medicine (everything has an underlying philosophy, even Western medicine).

For my part, I have seen and experienced the positive effects of using natural remedies, and I found this book to be mostly negative in its anlysis rather than helpful, and I think it writes off many remedies which many people are finding quite helpful.

At first I thought that this bit of "Americana" would be of little interest to me, a South African, which may have a different Alternative Medicine emphasis. I was wrong. This is the most useful and comprehensive book of its kind I have ever read and has a universal application, with a relevance that stretches further than to readers of the Christian faith. The book has a comfortable style and its objectivity makes inroads into all aspects of Alternative Health Care, with good and logical arguments for and against. The book deals with "medicines", treatment modalities and "faith healing". Even some conventional medicine comes under scrutiny, as Western doctors are not always innocent of inappropriate prescribing. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal (June 22: New York Doctor Creates a Rift With Radical Notion: Fewer Pills) testifies to this. Subject matter of recent interest to me is lactose intolerance as I suspect that some of our sinus & other illnesses may be due to an absence of lactase in many humans (See "Tribal incidence of lactase deficiency in Uganda", The Lancet 2April 1966, pp725-730). This is dealt with in the book (p180). Garlic is also dealt with, but a new use needs to be added to the repertoire. Garlic extract has been found to be a very potent anti-candidial compound. An easy to make garlic extract is now being used extensively in the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town to treat serious oral and oesophageal candidiasis in children with AIDS. Mycostatin and fluconazole is available to them, but garlic extract has been found to be superior. Perhaps subject matter for future editions?! While South Africa does have a good supply of most "Western" medicines, forget not the rest of Africa where in date medicines are often very hard to obtain, if at all. They rely heavily, if not completely, on "traditional" medicine. I have no doubt that some of this medicine, easily grown in the garden, can be very effective for certain conditions. Others are to be discouraged. Multinational drug companies are not incentivised to research such medicines as there is no profit involved. I suggest that future editions of this book touches on this aspect. The book is a masterpiece and is destined to become one of my constant literary companions.

With a very even hand, these authors have created an easy to read, well-organized reference book. Supplements and herbs are recommended or not recommended based on scientific evidence.

The herbs are organized alphabetically. Each succinct discussion is divided into sections such as: what it is, claims, study findings, cautions, recommendations, dosage, treatment categories and further reading. These categories make it easy to get to the information you want quickly. If you are really in a hurry, there is a list of symptoms and diseases in the back with corresponding therapies rated by effectiveness.

If you are looking at herbal remedies for the first time, this book will get you off to a SAFE start.

What a concept, and what a wonderful reference book! It is well laid out, and chocked FULL of useful information. The authors do a wonderful job of thouroughly researching the scientific information available on alternative medical therapies, then presenting it in an easy to understand format. The most impressive part of each chapter is the thoughtful spiritual guidance given, based on Christian doctrine and values. This book is a must for every Christian home and medical office.