Реферат: Alternative Medicine Essay Research Paper Throughout recorded
potential treatments to complement our current healthcare system. One of the
OAM’s first tasks was to develop a classification system for the dozens of
various therapies and practices. The systems of alternative medical practice
the OAM has classified so far share many common therapeutic techniques.
Traditional oriental medicine and naturopathic medicine, for example, both
use herbal remedies, acupuncture, and mind/body control. However, some
alternative systems, such as environmental medicine and homeopathic medicine
are distinct and separate. Following are some the more popular alternative
therapies Americans use.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an example of a therapy once considered bizarre which has
some scientific basis. An integral part of Chinese medicine for thousands of
years, it is based on the belief that energy, which the Chinese call Qi
(pronounced ‘chee’), circulates along meridians in the body in the same way
that blood flows (Furman). A diagram of the meridian system looks similar to
those of our circulatory and nervous systems (Crute). When the flow of
energy becomes blocked, an imbalance is created, resulting in pain or
disease. To restore the proper balance and energy flow, acupuncturists
stimulate specific points of the body along these meridians. Puncturing the
skin with a needle is the usual method, but acupuncturists may also
stimulate the acupuncture points with finger-pressure.
Although Western physicians and researchers do not truly understand the
concept of Qi, there is evidence that acupuncture can influence the movement
or release of many chemicals in the body. Research conducted by Dr. Bruce
Pomeranz, a neurophysiologist at the University of Toronto, established that
acupuncture releases naturally produced, morphine-like substances called
endorphins (Crute).
In addition to releasing endorphins, doctors and clinicians know that
acupuncture can provide at least short-term relief for a wide range of pains