Placebo Theory
When people discover that I'm studying acupuncture a common question I get asked is "isn't acupuncture just placebo?" The short answer is yes and no. I have written this article in response to this question and to examine the placebo effect. I have tried to be as objective as possible but obviously my view is going to be biased as I am studying to become an acupuncturist so I obviously think it is more than placebo.
To start with the definition of the placebo effect is "A substance containing no medication and prescribed or given to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well." Broadly speaking placebo is an effective treatment that is present in all therapies. The similarities in all therapeutic relationships are that a person goes to a
…show more content…
In acupuncture's case this is the understanding of energy which flows through meridians/channels throughout the body. This is where the two worlds collide as Bausell states (page275). "No CAM therapy has a scientifically plausible biochemical mechanism of action over and above those proposed for the placebo effect."
Modern science has further problems with acupuncture as Bausell (page106) goes onto state "But if the primary biochemical explanation for how these little needles reduce pain involves an unmeasurable energy force surging through some unobservable meridians with no documented connection to pain or anything else, then most members of the scientific community will have a difficult time believing these positive results."
Presently there are two forms of acupuncture in use in the uk, traditional acupuncture based on the theory of qi or energy as used in China, Japan and Korea and medical acupuncture often referred to as dry needling as practised by doctors, physiotherapists and other primary care physical therapists. Acupuncture has been reinterpreted by the west as Campbell
…show more content…
Doctors and other medical professionals will base their opinion on acupunctures effectiveness based on these results. These results will also be used by newspapers so they have a huge impact on public opinion.
Acupuncture is considered to be a holistic medicine which treats the whole person. As a result it takes into account many signs, factors and observations that are considered irrelevant in western medicine. Any treatment with acupuncture is therefore based on individual symptoms so there is no treatment protocol for one particular disease. For example when performing a trial on the effectiveness of acupuncture for back pain the trial is riddled with problems from the start whether it is investigating the effectiveness of acupuncture, osteopathy or any other intervention. Chaitow a prominent osteopath comments on the problems encountered when performing clinical trials on back
Unit 14 Resub: Alternative Approaches To Health Care
1067 Words | 5 PagesSome health care professionals such as the physiotherapy has many of its professionals trained in acupuncture and the GPs are making referrals for their patients to some form of CAM therapy treatments, for stress relief and relaxation purposes. The acceptance of CAM therapies is affected by the strength of the barrier caused by the traditional biomedical professionals who occupy the top positions and the powerful drug companies who are suppressing CAM remedies a Marxist theorist would say. Some researchers would indicate that because the traditional medical is responsible for finding the effectiveness of the CAM therapies, so it is up to them to promote
NHS Complementary Therapies
968 Words | 4 PagesComplementary therapies are treatments that make up a range of services provided by the NHS. Treatments that are available are acupuncture, aromatherapy, art therapy, chiropractic, herbal medicine and homeopathy. These treatments are offered to patients who may have cancer or other illnesses. These treatments are also used to help maintain one’s health, improving the immune system, sleeping patterns, increasing energy levels and help to depose of toxins. Complementary therapies are not clinically tested but have been used for many years and also most therapists are self employed.
J. R. Worsley: Axial Analysis
1057 Words | 5 PagesIs it the Causative Agency declared by the backward J.R. Worsley, ancestor of Classical 5 Aspect acupuncture as it is accomplished in the West. Is it the Axial Focus declared by Dr. Gary Dolowich and analogously declared by abounding added arch 5 Aspect practitioners in an attack to abolish the could could cause and aftereffect association of CF? Either way, what does it beggarly to us as practitioners and why does it amount so abundant in this medicine? How do we ascertain this ambiguous CF anyway? Why is it so glace to diagnose?
Navajo Healing Treatment
1431 Words | 6 PagesA lot of surveys have been done over the years about the ethological aspect of these practices since they are sometimes considered holistic and unfounded since many healing practices are composed of rituals and sacred bundles used by shamans or witches. To a foreign audience, it might be at first disorienting and doubtful because medicine in our world is considered a science and revolves around collected data unlike religious practices. A survey made in 1994 states that “Many respondents indicated that they were unsure what traditional Native medicine entailed and thus had difficulty forming an opinion on whether it would be appropriate in various settings, especially in the hospital. In fact, 16% of the physicians indicated this directly, and another 14% left the question blank, when asked for their definition of traditional Native medicine (Table 2). Eighty-one percent believed that the use of traditional Native medicine was not an important issue in their community, although 41% knew of at least one patient in their practice using such medicines, and 15% knew of more than five patients using them.
Bad Science Book Report
736 Words | 3 PagesI tried out homeopathic medication because my grandfather was a homeopathic doctor back in my home country of Pakistan and he liked to give to us little sugar balls he would say were magic and could fix any headache and injury as children. I had been skeptical of homeopathic medication from the beginning. I learned in this chapter that my skepticism might have actually been a reason as to why homeopathy didn’t work. Homeopathy is an alternative medicine which works under the notion of a substance which causes symptoms of a disease in a healthy individual will then cure an ill individual of the same disease. Goldacre explains laughably that homeopathic remedies are diluted in distilled water to absurd proportions and must go through a process of being hammered
Statement Of Purpose To Become An Occupational Therapist
1950 Words | 8 PagesDuring my time at USM I took a creative class, Therapeutic Touch, along with my psychology courses. Therapeutic Touch is a course about energy work, chakras, and using color and intentions to heal. One of the books we were required to read for the class explained the beliefs of those who practice Therapeutic Touch, (such as Reiki and Pranic healing). According to Therapeutic Touch workers, people develop diseases as they correlate to the chakras, which the person suffering from the disease has made “spin” less due to stress or certain feelings. This is to say that whichever part of your body becomes infected or diseased may be related to outside emotional issues, which have manifested as a physical ailment within that chakra area.
Why Is Placebos Important
469 Words | 2 PagesThis is done by using evidence such as Placebos being always safe, and placebos being the best treatment option. In the evidence for placebos being safe he claims that some may have side effects such as headaches, fatigue, and dry mouth. These symptoms were found to be experienced in a person even if there was no therapy being done at the time. In his next piece of evidence as to why placebo use is acceptable in a clinical setting, is that placebos are sometimes the best treatment. He claims that the best places for placebos to be effective is in the treatment of psychological symptoms.
Ethical Issues In The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
679 Words | 3 PagesCAM therapies have been used as far back as ancient Egypt, China, India, and Sumeria (Larson, 2017). Christianity supports holistic healing encompassing physical, emotional, spiritual, moral, and relational healing (Stewart et al, 1998). Christianity and alternative medicine, both respond negatively to healing that focuses on physical and psychological needs at the expense or exclusion of spiritual needs. CAM therapies such as herbal and homeopathic remedies are not necessarily either supported or opposed by Christianity (Stewart et al, 1998). Christians hold that despite other ways that may be used to help treat illness and maintain optimal health, they need to turn to God for healing (Stewart et al, 1998).
Chiropractic Vs Biomedical Model Similarities
551 Words | 3 PagesToday, the medical world recognizes two tips of medicine, the conventional medicine known as Western and the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Although, they are by logic completely opposites in practice the have some similarities. The first one, is accepted in most of the advance countries. Though, the second one is having a lot of attention not just from de common people but from the biomedical system as part of their usual treatments. That is why the differences and similarities between Chiropractic as part of the CAM world and the Biomedical Model are getting smaller and closer together.
Placebo Effect Case Studies
877 Words | 4 PagesINTRODUCTION General Introduction A placebo is a fake treatment given to a patient which does not affect the actual illness but rather the mind. The placebo produces positive results from the patient, due to their belief that they were receiving a treatment that would heal them. The change in the patient’s condition due to the placebo is known as the placebo effect. The placebo extends to the point that when a person is just simply told that they have an illness, they experience symptoms of the actual illness.(1) researchers have found that placebo treatment, containing no active medication , can cause real physiological responses in people to occur.
Essay On Falun Gong
1027 Words | 5 PagesThe cultivation of qi or the energy that flows throughout the human body and the universe, has been a theory in many different practices of Chinese culture. Even the traditional Chinese medicine is partially based on the theory of qi. During the ten years history, Falun Gong has developed millions of participants and followers. It also got a lot of attention from many others including the Chinese government. However
Pros And Cons Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine
1497 Words | 6 Pages(16) DEFINITIONS Traditional Medicine (TM) Traditional medicine (TM) is a comprehensive word that refers to traditional medicine systems such as, Indian Ayurveda,traditional Chinese medicine and Arabic medicine, they involve use of herbal medicines, animal parts and /or minerals- and non-medication therapies without use of medication, as acupuncture, manual therapies and spiritual therapies, TM is often termed 'complementary ', 'alternative ' or 'non-conventional ' medicine. (17) Conventional Medicine Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by medical doctors, health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists and nurses using medication and manufacture drugs and remedies for curing diseases. (18)
Biological And Psychodynamic Approach
636 Words | 3 PagesAs the studies showed that it was effective among patient with schizophrenia. ( Malmberg,Fenton and Rathbone, 2017). Even though all these approaches have strength to certain extent they have limitation as
Acupuncture Essay
470 Words | 2 PagesAcupuncture for back pain is proven to be an effective therapy when performed by experienced acupuncturists. Many studies have shown that acupuncture can alleviate chronic back pain and enhance well-being in general. The studies also show that acupuncture techniques provide better results in relieving back pain than physical therapies and medications. How Acupuncture Works Acupuncture works by inserting very thin needles with certain depths into certain points of your body.
Theories Of Qi In Traditional Chinese Medicine
1739 Words | 7 PagesIn a cold winter day, have you ever observed white smoke come out from your mouth when you exhale? Have you ever thoroughly felt the force pressing on your skin when wind blows? These are some of the states that “qi” appears in our daily lives. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC), qi plays as a fundamental component from time to time explaining its ideas. Theories of both Chinese and Western medicine exist for helping people maintain good health and away from deceases.
More about Placebo Theory
Unit 14 Resub: Alternative Approaches To Health Care
1067 Words | 5 PagesNHS Complementary Therapies
968 Words | 4 PagesJ. R. Worsley: Axial Analysis
1057 Words | 5 PagesNavajo Healing Treatment
1431 Words | 6 PagesBad Science Book Report
736 Words | 3 PagesStatement Of Purpose To Become An Occupational Therapist
1950 Words | 8 PagesWhy Is Placebos Important
469 Words | 2 PagesEthical Issues In The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
679 Words | 3 PagesChiropractic Vs Biomedical Model Similarities
551 Words | 3 PagesPlacebo Effect Case Studies
877 Words | 4 PagesEssay On Falun Gong
1027 Words | 5 PagesPros And Cons Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine
1497 Words | 6 PagesBiological And Psychodynamic Approach
636 Words | 3 PagesAcupuncture Essay
470 Words | 2 PagesTheories Of Qi In Traditional Chinese Medicine
1739 Words | 7 Pages