pic: howstuffworks.comWHAT
is the most important thing in life? Money? Despite what many think,
no, that is not it. Some still might disagree but what many people view
as the most essential element needed in our lives is in fact — our
health! However with the cost of modern healthcare seemingly
skyrocketing throughout the years, people are looking for options — some
alternative remedies. But questions still remain whether they are
indeed valid substitutes.
According to Dr. Faridah
Abdul Rashid, a medical school professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia
(USM), alternative medicine in a nutshell can be described as: “any
medication or treatment that is not offered by government hospitals.”
But she does however stress that the field actually consists of a much
more extensive definition. “It is made up of a wide range of health care
practices, products, and therapies. They can include traditional
medicine from many cultures around the world. Some have been around for
hundreds of years.”
On the other hand, there are
those who prefer a different phrase to describe it. ”We are more
inclined to use the term ‘complimentary medicine’ as opposed to
‘alternative medicine’,” says Fyrol Ikram Othman, a practitioner from
AMH Therapy Center in Puncak Alam. He continues by explaining: “The word
‘alternative’ kind of suggests that we are denying the effectiveness of
conventional modern medicine. We are not, but those modern methods may
have some limits and we help treat patients with the use of very few
chemical ingredients. We use natural ingredients.”
Public Perception
Fyrol (right) with the other staff of AMH Therapy Centre /pic: amh-terapi.blogspot.comDr.
Faridah reveals that hospitals in certain countries such as Singapore
have begun opening their door towards alternative medicine. “There is
also an on-going effort by our own government right now to do same,
especially for traditional Chinese medicine,” she says. “In fact there a
few hospitals in the country that already have acupuncture centres.
They are still are a rarity though as the staff need to be properly
trained and standards have to be met.”
Fyrol agrees that reception
have been increasingly good. “Previously, traditional complimentary
medicine was perceived to be lacking in quality. Cupping (bekam) in this
country for example was closely associated to be performed by Ustazs.
Since most of them were not properly trained — they didn’t follow proper
methods, some had hygiene problems, and etc, so the public began to
conceive the view that the treatment was of a low standard.”
Fyrol also points to the
limited courses been taught at college level as a factor why there are
not that many trained practitioners in the field. “So far, to my
knowledge, there are only two colleges offering courses in complementary
medicine. One is MSU (Management and Science University) and the other
is Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences.”
However Fyrol says
opportunities to become a trained practitioner are becoming more
accessible. “Companies such as HPA are offering plenty of certificates
which are recognised internationally. The Higher Education Ministry has
also helped the cause as we are now seeing community colleges offering
courses in massaging, cupping, reflexology, and a lot more.” He adds:
“Practitioners are now required to be registered and we are advised not
to offer treatments that go against health protocols and standards. Our
treatments are in fact based on a more ‘natural’ formula consisting of
herbs. We at AMH Therapy Centre offer treatments such as cupping,
acupuncture, herbal sauna, and CVT (Colour Vibration Therapy).”
The Long Standing Debate
Professor Dr Faridah Abdul Rashid /pic: usmThe
debate has been ongoing for quite some time on where alternative
medicine fits into our healthcare system. Some doctors remain sceptical,
but more and more physicians have embraced the need for more research.
However, two prominent scientists in the US are now calling for an end
to all clinical trials on some forms of alternative medicine.
Two doctors, David Gorski a
cancer surgeon at Wayne State University School of Medicine and Steven
Novella a neurologist at Yale University, published an article that
appeared last week in the Cell Press journal ‘Trends in Molecular
Medicine’. The thrust of their argument is that over the past twenty
years, proponents of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) have
called for more research into these therapies so we can finally settle
once and for all whether they work or not.
The two doctors are saying
'Enough is enough.' They say that in an era of cutbacks in government
funding, research into some forms of alternative medicine is a waste of
money. The doctors has zeroed in mostly on homeopathy and a few other
practices that are popular but unproven scientifically .
Dr. Faridah doesn’t
necessarily agree. In fact in terms of risks, some alternative medicine
is much safer compared to western medicine. “These modern medicines
sometimes leave lasting scars and pains for example. Some alternative
treatments do not.”
Treatments such as cupping
for example are just as good as modern techniques. “Not only is cupping
part ‘sunnah’ but is a recognised treatment just like how blood
transfusions are recognised,” says Dr. Faridah.
“Sometimes doctors do not
follow and have little knowledge on alternative medicines. That’s why we
teach our students at USM to acquire as much knowledge as possible on
the variety of alternative medicine,” she says, before continuing:
“However for patients seeking alternative therapies, I would advise them
to ensure that the place and staff performing these therapies are
well-trained, and the practices are recognised by the Health Ministry.”
- mD
