Brief guide to complementary medicine | |
An introduction to complementary medicine. Terry Robson (editor). Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 2003 (xvi + 360 pp). ISBN 174114 0544. |
Terry Robson
is a health journalist and a qualified naturopath. He has assembled a team of health practitioners who are experts in various areas of complementary medicine such as Indigenous health, Ayurveda, naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic, flower essences, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, aromatherapy, massage therapy, nutrition, osteopathy, yoga and meditation. There is a chapter dedicated to counselling, although one may dispute whether this topic actually belongs in the realm of complementary medicine, considering counselling is an integral part of Western medicine. Nevertheless, the inclusion of this chapter highlights the need to consider the role of the mind in the causation and aggravation of many diseases.
The introduction explores the history and evolution of Western medicine in relation to complementary medicine, and refers to orthodox medicine as predominantly a “drug and surgical approach to disease management”. While this may be true in some areas of specialty medical practice, this statement is easily challenged. The definition of health by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is inclusive of the sociological, psychological, physical and environmental aspects of the patient. Most of the book’s authors are non-medical health practitioners and appear to cover the topics extremely well. It is easy to read and provides the doctor who is new to complementary medicine with good coverage of the concepts and philosophical aspects for traditional healing systems and the basics of complementary medicine. The book does not cover the scientific evidence and clinical trials for specific herbs, medical acupuncture, homoeopathy or nutritional supplements, and is not designed as a practical guide to assist doctors in the integration of complementary medicine into practice. At $65 it is reasonably priced. Considering the increasing use of complementary medicine and the many challenges (both political and philosophical) it presents to the traditional general practitioner, it is certainly worth reading if you are new to this field. Vicki Kotsirilos
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