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Does unconventional medicine work through conventional modes of action?

Niggemann B, Grüber C

Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, University Children's Hospital Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. bodo.niggemann@charite.de

It is often maintained that although conventional medicine works by means of pharmacotherapy with predominantly proved effects, unconventional therapies are more or less spiritual therapeutic approaches without a scientific basis. We hypothesize that both conventional and unconventional medicine might be effective because of similar modes of action. Certainly, this does not imply that every unconventional method has any effect. Conventional and effective unconventional medicine might both work by means of pharmacology (eg, substances in medical herbs), including pharmacologic interactions between the 2 treatment options (eg, herbs and drugs with coagulation effects). Both conventional and unconventional treatments involve a considerable risk of side effects, which are sometimes even severe. In general, the pattern of side effects of alternative treatments is similar to that observed with the use of conventional medicine. The placebo effect and suggestive aspects are also apparent in both treatments. Furthermore, mind-body medicine (eg, use of relaxation techniques) might be explained by pathophysiologic mechanisms. Overall, many aspects seem to contribute to the mosaic of joint modes of action involved in both conventional and unconventional medicine. This might demystify the aura of some of the complementary and alternative approaches and might help to bring both conventional and unconventional approaches together on a scientific basis.

Published 4 September 2006 in J Allergy Clin Immunol, 118(3): 569-73.
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