ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Alternative medicine is, by definition, an alternative to something else: modern,

Western medicine. But the term `alternative´ can be misleading, even off-putting for
some people.

Few practitioners of homeopathy, acupuncture, herbalism and the like regard therapies
as complete substitutes for modern medicine. Rather, they consider their disciplines as
supplementary to orthodox medicine.

The problem is that many doctors refuse even to recognize `natural´ or alternative
medicine. To do so calls for a radically different view of health, illness and cure. But
whatever doctors may think, the demand for alternative forms of medical therapy is
stronger than ever before, as the limitations of modern medical science become more
widely understood.

Alternative therapies are often dismissed by orthodox medicine because they are
sometimes administered by people with no formal medical training. But, in comparison
with many traditional therapies, western medicine as we know it today is a very recent
phenomenon. Until only 150 years ago, herbal medicine and simple inorganic
compounds were the most effective treatment available.

Despite the medical establishment’ intolerant attitude, alternative therapies are being
accepted by more and more doctors and the World Health Organization has agreed to
promote the integration of proven, valuable, `alternative´ knowledge and skills in
western medicine.

1. Answer the following questions using your own words.

a. Why is the term `alternative´ not entirely appropriate when applied to medicine?

R/ The alternative term are not entirely appropriate because it can be misleading,
even unpleasant for some people.

b. Why are alternative therapies often rejected by conventional doctors?

R/ Doctors reject alternative therapies because they require a radically different

vision of health, disease, and cure.

2. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Support your answer.

a. Nowadays, more and more people are asking for alternative medicine. (TRUE)
b. Herbal medicine has been the most effective treatment available for 150 years.
(TRUE)

c. The World Health Organization will support effective traditional knowledge and
skills. (TRUE)

3. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options:

Attitude therapy misleading recognize refuse establishment

A. deceptive - (Misleading)

B. a group of people who have power and influence - (Establishment)

C. don't accept - (Refuse)

D. behavior - (Attitude)

Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately).

a. Life expectancy has increased in the last few years.

b. More and more people agree with alternative therapies

More and more people agree with alternative therapies

The use of homeopathy or, more generically, of the therapies called alternatives to
traditional medicine appear more and more frequently; these complementary and
alternative therapies are often attractive because they use their own body, their own
mind, or elements that they can find in nature. Some of these therapies promise wellness
using a simple, healthy sounding method with no harmful side effects. Some
complementary methods have been studied and found to help people feel better while
receiving conventional treatment.

Alternative medicine makes use of natural elements that are not treated with chemical
products and that are spent in pills, capsules or drops but without preservatives or
aggregates that can harm health in a secondary way, which is why for people who have
low tolerance to traditional medications, this can be a good cure option.