People in UK moving to alternative therapies

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 25 January, 2005, 01:43 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4203479.stm

 

Public 'back alternative therapy'

 

The findings come at a time when complementary therapies are becoming more

popular than ever.

 

Britons spend £130m a year on alternative therapies, such as acupuncture

and reflexology, and that is expected to rise by £70m over the next four

years.

 

Their popularity has prompted the UK government to pledge £900,000 to fund

the regulation of some complementary medicine.

 

Dr Rajendra Sharma, medical director of the Diagnostic Clinic, called for

complementary medicine to become more mainstream.

 

Future

 

" Orthodox and complementary medicine should not sit on different sides of

healthcare provision, " he said.

A majority of people believe complementary medicine is as valid as

conventional treatment, a survey says.

 

The UK-based survey revealed 68% of 1,000 people questioned had faith in

alternative therapies, such as herbal medicine and naturopathy.

 

One in four thought western medicine was the only way to treat health

problems, the survey found.

 

It was commissioned by London's Diagnostic Clinic, which combines orthodox

and complementary medicine.

 

People aged 35 to 44 of the 1,000 quizzed were the most likely to have

faith in complementary medicine.

 

" Integrated medicine, where fully qualified doctors are also experts in

many of the complementary disciplines, should be the healthcare model of

the future. "

 

But Dr Jim Kennedy, prescribing spokesman for the Royal College of GPs,

warned: " Complementary medicine covers a wide spectrum and there is not

the evidence to support the use of some of it.

 

" As doctors we know our patients do use complementary medicine and we

don't have a problem when it is proven to be useful. "

 

The British Medical Association agreed not all complementary medicine had

a proven track record.

 

And a spokeswoman added: " Doctors and patients want to know what works and

what doesn't.

 

" Given NHS resources are scare, it makes sense that any therapies

available on the health service have scientific evidence to show they

actually work. "