A criticism often levelled by doctors at alternative/complementary practitioners, I am thinking particularly of a Report funded some years back by The King's Fund, is that precisely because practitioners spend time talking with patients and discussing their circumstances, it is impossible to evaluate the therapies properly because of the 1 to 1 input and 'the therapeutic relationship', as though this somehow devalues the treatment. So, on the one hand, it's unlikely the treatment works because it's a load of unproven hokum, or the other hand, well we can't tell if it works or not because there's too much talking and hand holding going on. I've been dealing with this attitude from doctors for years now and I cannot tell you how    it makes me. Particularly when I've seen positive results from my own brand of 'hokum' , where drugs didn't resolve the problem.

I suffer from on and off sinus problems.  I have had homeopathic treatment.  Maybe it is psychological but I don't see how after taking the tablets and I can feel my nose starting to run and clear that I have induced that myself?

I know acupuncture is a different case but I went to see my GP  and a  locum was there.  I explained the problem and he asked if I would like to try acupuncture, I said yes and he said lie down and I'll get the needles.  Result?  Half an hour later the difference was amazing.

I think the different branches of medicine can work together

Indeed there are Milly and I like to think I have an open mind.

My cousin is a reflexologist.  She is a trained nurse (SRN) and was for many years an NHS physiotherapist.  Believe me, she is no New Age Drippy Hippy.  She had to move to Bristol due to husband's job and she had always had an interest in reflexology so trained in that.  As far as I understand it, relflexology is rather like acupuncture as it is pressure points.  She also then qualified as an iridologist.  I'm not too sure about that although they say the eyes are the window of the soul.

I am also not too sure about shakras and ear candles but don't know enough about them to comment.

How are you feeling now Martle?  Did you see research at Birmingham University proved that the best relief for a stinking cold was a stonkingly mega-hot curry or even a chillie?  The lashings of garlic, ginger, pepper and chillies etc.,  are more effective than any Lemsip type drink in producing a good flow of mucus, and the more mucus you produce the more you flush the virus out and weaken it.  It also produces a beneficial sweat.

Apologies for all those eating their dinner but I think hh's post was more graphic medically!   

A little better, thanks Anty. I slept most of the afternoon.


No surprise there. AndyD is one of their chief advisers at Birmingham.

 

It wasn't all at the same time (though the medication for the scabies irritated the eczema) you'll be pleased to know.
I just have rubbish skin, but not as bad as my sister's...

Perhaps GPs could now offer us a 6 fresh chillie jab to ward off colds?

But you wouldn't go to work after that little lot. would you, Marts?   Well, s'pose it depends how much you loathe respect your colleagues

Hope you feel a lot better soon