Issue date: April 23, 2000

In this article: Thinking of trying alternatives? Dr. Tedd's advice Do alternatives work?

But an alternative therapy isn't necessarily effective or safe just because it's popular, advises Dr. Tedd Mitchell, USA WEEKEND's medical editor.

MERICANS MAKE about 630 million visits to providers of non-traditional medicine each year -- that's more than the number of visits to all primary-care physicians!

Most of the people who use alternative therapies are between 35 and 49, middle-class and educated, says David Eisenberg, M.D., a Harvard professor who is an expert in alternative medicine. And most of the alternative therapies they used -- 62% -- were not disclosed to their physicians. The frequent reason: They didn't feel their doctor would agree with their choice, whether it was massage, chiropractic, hypnosis, biofeedback or acupuncture.

Face it: We've all tried alternative therapies, whether it's as simple as chicken soup for a cold or as complicated as acupuncture for back pain. My mother's preferred therapy was the antihistamine Benadryl. My siblings and I received Benadryl for colds, upset stomach -- you name it, we got Benadryl. If I had cut off a foot, my mother would've given me Benadryl.

Even physicians are not above attempting it: I have a patient with chronic hepatitis (a liver infection) who is being treated by his specialist with a traditional drug, Interferon, and an herbal extract, milk thistle.

The psychological benefit of "doing something" to help yourself is important. As a physician, I don't object if patients want to use alternative therapies, as long as I know what they want to do and as long as the therapies aren't dangerous and don't interfere with my treatment.

It's important to understand that many alternatives have no solid research to back up claims of effectiveness. Also, they're not regulated in the same fashion as traditional medicine. This opens the door for abuse.

If you are using an alternative therapy or thinking about starting, my advice is:

Tell your doctor. He or she is your advocate. A physician may not know much about a specific therapy, but a broad background in medicine provides insight you may not have. Expect increasing understanding: 64% of American medical schools now teach elective courses in alternative therapies, reports a survey in the Journal of the American Medical Association. If your physician isn't willing to listen to something you deem important to your health, you may have the wrong physician.

Do your homework. Many reputable organizations and resources have information on various types of therapies. Use these resources to educate yourself (and perhaps your doctor) about the specific therapy you are contemplating.

Be aware that "natural" is not always safe. If you think natural things can't hurt you, ask Socrates what he thought of his hemlock tea. Tobacco, marijuana, alcohol and cocaine are all derived from "natural" things, so don't fall into this trap.

Don't assume "artificial" means dangerous. We have eradicated illnesses by using very "artificial" vaccinations.

Pay attention to labels. Supplement makers are not permitted by law to make specific claims of benefit for specific diseases, but labels do tend to use upbeat generic terms, such as "good prostate health" or "anti-aging supplement." Remember the old saying: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"

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DO ALTERNATIVES WORK?

Science is trying to find out

More than 500 alternative-medicine trials are taking place in America this year, triple the number in 1988. Among the research: