Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is any practice that is perceived by its users

to have the healing effects of medicine, but does not originate
from evidence gathered using the scientific method, is not part of
biomedicine, or is contradicted by scientific evidence or
established science. It consists of a wide range of health care
practices, products and therapies, ranging from being biologically
plausible but not well tested, to being directly contradicted by
evidence and science, or even harmful or toxic. Examples include
new and traditional medicine practices such as homeopathy,
naturopathy, chiropractic, energy medicine, various forms of
acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and Christian faith healing.

Video Discussion

 What is shown in the video about alternative medicine?

 What are some reasons the doctor is providing to make her point why alternative
medicine is becoming popular and important among patients?

Vocabulary and Expressions

 Acupuncture: a system of alternative medicine that involves inserting needles into the
skin
 Chiropractic: the system of treating joint or spinal column pain
 Homoeopathy: a system of treatment that involves giving the patient very small
amounts of natural substances
 Remedy: the treatment or medicines for an illness or injury
 Hypnotherapy: the use of hypnosis as a type of treatment
 Massage: the rubbing or kneading of parts of the body
 Therapy: treatment or healing of an illness or disability
 Heal: to cure or restore to full health
 Reflexology: treatment by applying pressure to the feet, ears or hands
 
Conversation questions about pets and animals 

 What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘alternative medicine’?
 What is ‘alternative’ about alternative medicine?
 What alternative medicine do you know about?
 Have you tried any alternative medicine?
 Do you think alternative medicine is just a trend that goes in and out of fashion?
 Do you think alternative medicine works?
 What kind of people use alternative medicine?
 Do you think alternative medicines work better than modern drugs?
 Do you trust alternative medicine?
 Do you think doctors should study about and be experts in alternative medicine?
 Do you think alternative medicines are tried, tested and safe?
 Why do you think so little is known about the health benefits of alternative medicine?
 Which countries in the world have the best medicines?
 Do you think we can find all the medicines we need from the natural world, instead of making
drugs?
 Would you like to try acupuncture?
 What are your thoughts on traditional Chinese medicine?
 Do you think the medicine in Western hospitals is alternative medicine in other countries?
 What do you think of things like art therapy, music therapy, healing with animals, etc?
 What would you like to know about alternative medicine?
 Do you know anyone who uses alternative medicine?