Customer Reviews

The Alternative Medicine Handbook

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As both a scientific researcher and a cancer patient who has greatly benefitted from mainstream medicine, about the last thing anyone would expect me to do would be to endorse a book on nontraditional medical approaches. However, I found this book to provide a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the science behind several alternative and new-age approaches to healing. It covers everything from acupuncture to Zen philosophy and discusses the scientific studies that have been conducted to determine whether various approaches actually work (she also devotes several pages to the placebo effect).

As a scientist, I am very critical of "pop science", "miracle cures" and unproven alternative medicine. I also know just because something is published in a book (or on the internet), there is no guarantee that the information is accurate or true. However, I trust Dr. Cassileth's professional credentials. In addition to the professional history mentioned in the editorial review, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (one of the top cancer centers in the country) just opened a new department of Integrative Medicine devoted to "addressing the body, spirit and mind" and Dr. Cassileth was made the head of this new department.

Despite the title of the book, much of the book focuses on complementary (rather than alternative) therapies that can help patients get through physically and psychologically difficult medical treatment (such as cancer treatment). She also debunks several trendy but scientifically invalidated or unvalidated cancer treatments. She also discusses the potential dangers in the lack of regulation of the herb and supplement industry, while pointing out which of the herbal remedies and vitamins have been shown to have some health benefits.

The book is written for the nonscientist, which means that the info is accessible and easy to understand. Science junkies like myself may be left wanting more info on mechanism, and I was quite disappointed by the lack of a reference list citing the various studies of alternative/complementary therapies that have been published in scientifically credible journals.

Anyway, if any of you are interested in complementary therapies and ways to reduce stress in your life, I highly recommend this book. I think it's one even your doctor would approve of :-)

This is a believable, well--researched book about the growing field of alternative medicine. Its a great book to have as a "second opinion" when one is considering going outside of traditional medicine to seek treatment or cure for medical and heaslth problems.