- Question
Is alternative medicine effective?
Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products for diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention which are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary means to improve the effect of something and suggests a treatment that complements mainstream, orthodox treatment, whilst alternative means instead of. However, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Yes, alternative medicine is effective
This position holds that alternative medicine is effective. It argues that it genuinely helps people feel better — through the placebo effect or the therapeutic relationship — that it can complement conventional treatment, and that it reaches those who distrust mainstream medicine.
No, alternative medicine is not effective
This position holds that alternative medicine is not effective. It argues that it has no proven effect beyond the placebo response, and that the point is self-proving: any alternative treatment that genuinely worked would, once demonstrated, simply become accepted orthodox medicine.
Alternative medicine can cause serious harm
This position holds that alternative medicine can cause serious harm. It argues that, far from being harmlessly comforting, it diverts people from effective treatment, that some remedies are actively dangerous, that vast sums are wasted on it, and that anyone can pose as a therapist.