Understanding Alternative Medicine

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-As modern Western medicine acknowledges its shortcomings in treating chronic and fatal illnesses, alternative systems or complementary treatments are becoming more popular. This title describes osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine and looks at therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy and body work, and mind-body medicine. Rattenbury begins with an overview of prevalent types of treatments and ideas concerning health and disease throughout history. She then reveals the origins, key philosophy, and hallmark treatment techniques of each alternative system. She describes a typical patient examination, the type and amount of training practitioners receive, and how they may be licensed in the United States. The history, effectiveness, and variations of therapies are clearly detailed. An extensive glossary, solid bibliography, and listing of 16 organizations related to alternative-medical systems add to the usefulness of this volume. Howard Facklam's Alternative Medicine (21st Century, 1995) provides much of the same information but has no illustrations, smaller print, and longer blocks of text. Rattenbury presents an appealing package in an easily accessible format.-Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.