Comparing and Contrasting Alternative and Convential Medicine

The use of alternative medicine in health care should be taken seriously as they can improve a person’s health without the serious side effects of conventional medication; alternative medicine is becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States and it also focuses on prevention rather than intervention. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. Usually alternative medicine is lumped together with complementary medicine which, instead of being used instead of conventional medicine, is used along with it, and abbreviated together as CAM. The controversy surrounding CAM practices is quite prevalent in the health care world. Many conventional practicing physicians believe that alternative methods of treatment such as herbs, vitamins, yoga, chiropractic etc…are not a viable choice because they are dangerous or because they simply do not help. Despite the naysaying’s of these physicians CAM practices have become increasingly popular throughout the population, with people looking for more organic, less harmful approaches to health care. Most of the CAM practices have been proven in studies and the people receiving them have significant beneficial results.

Conventional medicine usually has more side effects that come along with its use than alternative medicines, because they are usually made from more organic materials. Because of the elements used in conventional drugs they tend to be harder on the recipients stomach than alternative medicines. Conventional drugs can also cause long term health problems as well. A biologically based approach for alternative medicine is either vitamins, herbs or even a simple diet change (Goldrosen, Straus 913). These are simple remedies, unlike conventional treat...

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