The top 10 least effective alternative treatments
Posted on December 22, 2009
Filed Under East meets West | 1 Comment
Are alternative therapies a health hazard? A useless fad? A budget wrecker? Or all of the above? Research shows that four in five women spend money on the treatments favored by the rich and famous, reports London’s Daily Mail, even though there’s no concrete evidence that they work.
Here are the top 10 least effective alternative treatments, as compiled by insurance firm Aviva from a survey of 200 general practitioners, and reported in the Daily Mail. (By the way, Avia guesstimates that to try every treatment on the list could set you back more than $1325.) Whether they work or not may be subjective even for medical experts. Unless you’re a highly paid celeb, you might want to try a brisk walk instead.
1. Cupping ($92), used by Gwyneth Paltrow and other high-profile figures, is a form of acupuncture in which warm cups are positioned on the skin. Said to stimulate blood flow, ease stress and help pain, it leads Aviva’s list of “health hoaxes.â€
2. Colonic irrigation ($129) involves using a water-filled tube to “cleanse†the bowel, a treatment Ben Affleck has reportedly tried, according to the Daily Mail. “People say that it makes them feel lighter and less toxic, but I don’t see any benefit from colonics,†says Dr. Fred Pescatore, internist and author of “Boosting Your Health with Bacteria.†“There is no medical science to back up the claims.†And Dr. Dennis Goodman, associate professor of cardiology at NYU, says colonics can cause a ruptured colon or an electrolyte imbalance. The only patients who would benefit, says Dr. Gerard Blobe of Duke University Medical Center, are those with “severe†bowel problems.
3. Food intolerance testing ($226) is something that Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell has tried, according to the Daily Mail. Food intolerances are different from food allergies because they are not life threatening, says Dr. Pescatore. He believes it’s worth testing for since some people can develop an intolerance to common foods like chicken, and feel better if they eliminate these from the diet.
4. Detoxing ($185) is a practice that’s been going on for centuries, says Dr. Fred Pescatore. While not dangerous in the short term, there’s no clinical proof that it works, he says. Dr. Stuart Fischer is against detoxing because “it’s not a recipe for weight loss.†And if you’re not careful to get enough fluids, he says, muscle cramps and faintness can result.
5. Macrobiotic diet ($137): Low-fat, high-fiber and usually vegetarian or vegan, macrobiotic diets consist of whole grains, soups, fruits and vegetables and also emphasize eating in moderation. Courtney Love and Kim Kardashian have both attributed their slimmed-down figures to macrobiotics.
6. Aromatherapy ($87) uses props such as scented candles and essential oils to soothe stress and other ailments, which isn’t too pricey if you do it at home – but seeing a specialist, as some celebs do, can quickly up the cost. There is evidence that aromatherapy can be used as a treatment for food and nicotine cravings, Pescatore says. At the very least, he says, it can be calming and offer stress relief.
7. Reflexology ($92): Reviews are mixed for this treatment that links pressure points on the foot to various organs in the body – but don’t expect it to work miracles for conditions like cancer or hepatitis. On the other hand, “It’s completely feasible that it works for relief from pain,†says Dr. Dennis Goodman. “It may also be effective against irregularity.â€
8. Vitamin B 12 injections ($100) are reportedly used by Madonna, according to the Daily Mail. Fatigue is a symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency, but don’t run to the doctor every time you’re tired. Since it is added to so many foods, this is one vitamin that it’s unusual to be deficient in, says Dr. Gary Rogg of Montefiore Medical Center. “Even if you eliminated it from your diet it would take two or three years to become deficient,†he explains. Elderly people sometimes take B12 injections to prevent a decline in cognitive function, says Dr. Gerard Blobe of Duke University Medical Center. “But there is no data supporting that it is helpful in this context,†he says. Moreover, it’s water soluble, so even if you take a lot you’ll just eliminate it, Rogg says.
9. Extreme yoga ($16) is said to be used by Jude Law’s ex-wife Sadie Frost, according to the Daily Mail, and celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston also use athletic versions of the ancient meditation practice to help stay fit. Dr. Steven Y. Park, a head and neck surgeon who specializes in sleep breathing problems, says, “Yoga is meant to be relaxing, but extreme yoga is a more stimulating form. It is more for focusing and increasing your energy levels rather than stress relief. But for some people, extreme exercise is a form of stress relief.â€
10. Overnight health farm stay ($306): If you can afford it, a sleepover – or a weekend – in a luxe country spa can’t be bad, says Dr. Steven Y. Park. “You are removing yourself from a stressful environment, and no matter what treatments you receive there, it’s a form of therapy,†he says. “And anything that you do to relieve stress in your life makes you feel better.â€
Comments
One Response to “The top 10 least effective alternative treatments”
Leave a Reply
Homeopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture are also useless.