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Abstract: . . . approach to the patient considers that the individual is in a dynamic state of equilibrium with the entire environment, extending to the universe as a whole, including the influences of the cycles and rhythms of the sun, moon, stars, and planets.” (Nader) Primitive folk remedies involving blood, urine, feces, and body parts from animals. False claims that Maharishi Ayur-Veda is supported by quantum physics. Deepak Chopra also has made invalid statements related to physics, as well as other pseudoscientific claims. . . . . . . alternative medicine Page 1 A SCIENTIFIC LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Thomas J. Wheeler, PhD Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville KY 40292 tjwheeler@louisville.edu Copyright 2004. Permission to copy for non-profit uses is granted as long as proper citation of the source is given. February 17, 2004 Eastern Approaches TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE : GENERAL ASPECTS Theory "Traditional Chinese medicine defines health as a balance between the opposing forces of yin and yang . . . . . . acupuncture points or effects similar to those of the 'real' acupuncture points." It also found no evidence for effectiveness in dealing with smoking addiction. Skeptics have complained that the conference involved only proponents of acupuncture, and thus was bound to endorse it despite the weakness of the evidence. Since the meta-analyses of the early 1990's, described above, little new research has appeared that would change their conclusions. In his article on the conference ( Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine 2(1) , 54-55 (1998)), W. Sampson asked, "if 'sham' points can be almost anywhere on the body, and if 'real' acupuncture and 'sham' acupuncture show no consistent, significant differences, then why use 'real' acupuncture at all?" He further noted: The Consensus Conference underplayed the most obvious and probable reasons for perceived effects. Those are natural history of disease, regression to the mean, suggestion, counter-irritation, distraction, expectation, consensus, the . . . --3000,3,500,2290,40260
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