What alternative health practitioners might not tell you

Locked In: Chiropractic adjustment gone wrong

For forty-one year old Scott Tatro, owner of a successful excavation business, the summer of 2000 was typically busy until pain and soreness brought him to see a chiropractor, expecting to be back at work the next day. He would never return, instead relegated to a completely immobile position for months due to a brain stem stroke and resultant Locked-in Syndrome that occurred during treatment. His book, Locked In, completely compiled by using a mouth/headstick to type, details the unimaginable difficulties the condition presents and the heroic courage necessary to function at the most minimal level of movement. (January 2010)

Suckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools Of Us All

Written by Rose Shapiro (2nd edition, published by Vintage on 5th February 2009). 'Suckers' is a calling to account of a social and intellectual fraud; a bracing, funny and popular take on a global delusion. It reveals how alternative medicine can jeopardise the health of those it claims to treat, leaches resources from treatments of proven efficacy and is largely unaccountable and unregulated.

Extract from 'Suckers: How alternative medicine makes fools of us all'

Trick or Treatment?: Alternative Medicine on Trial

Written by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst (Bantam, 2008). In 'Trick or Treatment?', the truth about the efficacy of alternative medicine is rigorously addressed for the first time by the scientist uniquely qualified to do so: Professor Edzard Ernst, the world's first professor of complementary medicine. Writing with him is the respected science writer, Simon Singh, who also brings his considerable scientific knowledge and scrupulous impartiality to this most controversial subject. Together, they present a hard-hitting, groundbreaking examination of more than thirty of the most popular treatments, such as Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Chiropractic and Herbal medicines, delivering the ultimate verdict on all of them.

Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial

Paperback version published on 7th May 2009. (See link below for a review of the book.)

Click here for a review of 'Trick or Treatment' by Harriet Hall, MD

(Science Based Medicine)

Healing, Hype, or Harm?: Scientists Investigate Complementary or Alternative Medicine

Edited by Edzard Ernst (Societas Imprint Academic, 2008). The scientists writing this book are not 'against' complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), but they are very much 'for' evidence-based medicine and single standards. They aim to counter-balance the many uncritical books on CAM and to stimulate intelligent, well-informed public debate. Topics include: What is CAM? Why is it so popular? Patient choice; Reclaiming compassion; Teaching CAM at university; Research on CAM; CAM in court; Ethics and CAM; Politics and CAM; Homeopathy in context; Concepts of holism in medicine; Placebo, deceit and CAM; Healing but not curing; CAM and the media.

Click here for a review of Healing, Hype or Harm? by Harriet Hall, MD

(Science Based Medicine)

Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Written by R. Barker Bausell (Oxford 2007) For both the scientist and the non-scientist, this book has lots of examples and illustrations, and doesn't burden the reader with occult and arcane statistics. R. Barker Bausell, Ph.D., who served for five years as research director of the University of Maryland's NIH-funded Complementary Medicine Program (now called the Center for Integrated Medicine), bares the absurdities and lack of research support for "complementary and alternative" methods. After stating why "CAM" research should be regarded skeptically, he dissects the published evidence and concludes: "No CAM therapy has a scientifically plausible biochemical mechanism of action over and above those proposed for the placebo effect. Of course, just because there is no rational explanation for why something should benefit a medical condition or reduce a medical symptom doesn't mean that this something can't do so. Unfortunately, the results from high-quality, randomised, placebo-controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that CAM therapies don't do so, which regretfully leads me to conclude that CAM therapies are nothing more than cleverly packaged placebos. And that is almost all there is to say about the science of CAM."

The Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An evidence-based approach

Written by Edzard Ernst (Ed.), Max H. Pittler (Ed.), Barbara Wider (Ed.) (Mosby, 2nd edition, June 2006) The new edition of this highly successful essential desk reference provides evidence-based information on 69 popular forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and 46 common conditions frequently treated with CAM. Each section includes an analysis of the most up-to-date research available.

Evidence-based Medicine Toolkit

Written by C. Heneghan and D. Badenoch (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2nd edition, 2006) This booklet sets out the concepts of EBM in its most simple and understandable terms. To the novice it can serve as an ideal, brief introduction. To the more experienced healthcare professional it can be a quick reminder of the essential points.

*Homeopathy: How it Really Works

Shelton, Jay, (Prometheus, 2004) The subtitle of this book should probably be: "Why it Sometimes Seems to Work." This is a detailed explanation of the tenets of homeopathy and its major variants, and how perceptions mask facts. I do not like the author's writing style, and any general text on "alternative medicine" is likely to have an adequate description of homeopathy for most people. However, Shelton provides abundant references, and obscure information such as how long it takes to make any given dilution.

*Natural Causes

Hurley, Dan, (Broadway Books, 2006) The word "natural" in the title refers to illness and death caused by use of natural products. In the USA, one can put anything in a bottle (without evidence for safety and efficacy, or purity), call it a "dietary supplement," append a vague claim (such as supports immunity) and sell it with impunity. However, the book describes the general problems of using herbs that are not regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals. For example, an herb (stephania) in Belgium was found to be contaminated with aristolochia in 1993. Aristolochia caused kidney failure, and then kidney cancer, the same problem was found shortly thereafter in the USA.

The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions

Written by Robert Todd Carroll (Wiley, 1st edition, August 2003) A wealth of evidence for doubters and disbelievers featuring close to 400 definitions, arguments, and essays on topics ranging from acupuncture to zombies. The Skeptic's Dictionary is a lively, commonsense trove of detailed information on all things supernatural, occult, paranormal, and pseudoscientific. For the open-minded seeker, the soft or hardened skeptic, and the believing doubter, this book offers a remarkable range of information that puts to the test the best arguments of true believers. [This link is to the Skeptic's Dictionary website which shows how the book can be ordered in many different countries.]

*Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology

Tavris, Carol, Scott Lilienfeld, Steven Lynn and Jeffrey Lohr, eds. (Guilford Press, 2003) This compendium is for people seeking reliable information on the status of controversial methods of clinical psychology. The sixteen chapters are divided into five subjects: "Controversies in Assessment and Diagnosis," "General controversies in Psychotherapy," "Controversies in the Treatment of Specific Adult Diseases," "Controversies in the Treatment of Specific Child Disorders" and "Controversies Regarding Self-Help and the Media." Specific topics include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, stress disorders, and "recovered memory." Current fad treatments (e.g., "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing," and "thought field therapy") are criticized in the book. Even old, well-established tests, such as the Rohrschach ink blot, are critically re-examined by the authors. Although this is written as a textbook, it is easy to understand by the layman.

Alternative medicine: Should we swallow it?

Edited by Tiffany Jenkins (Hodder Arnold and Stoughton, May 2002) In this book contributors from a variety of healthcare backgrounds make the case for and against CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine). The book may now be out-of-print, but inexpensive copies can be bought second-hand via this link.

Snake Oil and Other Preoccupations

Written by John Diamond (Vintage, July 2001) At the time of his death, on March 2nd, 2001, John Diamond had written six chapters of Snake Oil. Intended to be "an uncomplimentary view of complementary medicine", he was spurred into writing the book by the 5,000 letters he received suggesting alternative cures for his terminal cancer. In the book Diamond sets out to prove that the protagonists of alternativism are, at best, gullible and misguided, at worst, con-merchants and quacks. The uncompleted book ends with the words: "Let me explain." Unfortunately, he wasn't given the chance. The remainder of the book is made up from a selection of Diamond's articles and columns, which, edited by brother-in-law Dominic Lawson, were chosen on "the basis of his humour rather than his tumour".

Spin Doctors: The Chiropractic Industry Under Examination

Written by Paul Benedetti and Wayne MacPhail (Dundurn Group Ltd ,Canada, January 2002) Canadians visit chiropractors about thirty million times a year, and surveys show that patients are generally satisfied with their treatment. But studies also show that as many as two hundred Canadians a year suffer strokes brought on by neck manipulation. Spin Doctors takes a hard, dramatic, and spine-chilling look into the world of chiropractic medicine. You will be surprised to learn what chiropractors treat and why. Most importantly, you'll learn how to protect yourself and your family from dangerous adjustments, practice-building tactics, bogus treatments, and misleading information.

Chiropractic: The Greatest Hoax of the Century?

Written by Ludmil A. Chotkowski, M.D., FACP (2001). This book exposes the practice of chiropractic as a false health care practice that has flourished basically unchallenged over the past century. It is written in clearly understandable language providing a well documented body of information for doctors, pharmacists, physical therapists, nurses, and the rest of the health care community — and most of all for all those who would like to know the scientific truth about this practice. Book available to order from this link to Chirobase.

Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud

Written by Robert L. Park (Oxford University Press, 2000) "Scientific error", says Robert Park, "has a way of evolving… from self-delusion to fraud. I use the term voodoo science to cover them all: pathological science, junk science, pseudoscience, and fraudulent science." In pathological science, scientists fool themselves. Junk science is when scientists use their expertise to befuddle and mislead others (usually juries or lawmakers). Pseudoscience has the trappings of science without any evidence. Fraud is old-fashioned lying. [Robert L. Park is professor of physics at the University of Maryland]

*Inside Chiropractic: A Patient's Guide

Homola, Samuel, (Prometheus, 1999) This is the definitive text on chiropractic. Samuel Homola, D.C., who is retired after more than 40 years of practice, has authoritatively criticized chiropractic since the start of his career. This book gives his ultimate assessment of the business. However, Homola thinks that chiropractors can mend their ways and adopt evidence-based treatments, much like physical therapists. That seems to have been true for him; but I doubt many other chiropractors are capable of it.

*Chemical Sensitivity: The Truth About Environmental Illness

Barrett, Stephen and Ronald Gots, (Prometheus. 1998, 212p. index. LC 97-53181 ISBN 1-57392-195-5 $32) From Chapter 1: "Many recipients of these diagnoses wind up being financially exploited as well as mistreated." Specifically, there are chapters on "multiple chemical sensitivity," "candidiasis," "sick buildings," "mercury-amalgam," and the "Gulf War connection." The first four chapters remain useful, the last is out of date. The bottom line is that people given those (first four) diagnoses are seriously ill and in need of treatment; they just do not have the disorders implied by those descriptions.

*Chiropractic: The Victim's Perspective

Magner, George, (Prometheus, 1995) This book is an excellent adjunct to Inside Chiropractic. The author founded an organization called Victims of Chiropractic; yet, despite his potential bias, this is a painstakingly researched and accurate criticism of the profession. In addition, although Magner is less sympathetic to the profession than Homola, he also offers suggestions for change.

*The Vitamin Pushers

Barrett, Stephen and Victor Herbert, (Prometheus, 1994) This volume is the culmination of twenty years of research into the "health food" industry. Chapter 2 of this book (Thirty Ways to Spot Quacks and Pushers), alone, makes the book worthwhile. According to the preface, the text addresses four questions: 1) How is the industry organized? 2) How are the salespeople trained? 3) How do they convince the public to believe false ideas? 4) How do they get away with it? The book contains valid nutrition information and exposes the misinformation available in health food stores.

*The Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America

Barrett, S. and W. T. Jarvis, eds. (Prometheus. 1993) This book is the best compendium of print reviews on various aspects of "alternative" medicine (AM) and consumer protection. There are 36 chapters on specific AM topics, fad diagnoses, and individual AM proponents as well as general consumer protection information on issues of health and nutrition. Although The Health Robbers does not cover the latest fads, most of the material remains current. S. Barrett produced a few earlier, less-complete versions of this book so be sure to get the 1993 edition.

*A Consumer's Guide to Alternative Medicine: A Close Look at Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Faith Healing, and Other Unconventional Treatments

Butler, Kurt, (Prometheus, 1992) The Consumer's Guide is less extensive than Health Robbers. However, it contains complementary information that is useful to a student of AM (Alternative Medicine), and readers may prefer its less formal writing style. In particular, Chapter 5 reviews some topics not found in Health Robbers, and Chapter 6 discusses tabloid journalism from a different point of view. The most popular forms of AM are gathered and discussed concisely in Chapter 4.

The Faith Healers

Written by James Randi (Prometheus Books UK, 2nd revised edition, May 1989) A devastating exposé of the fakery of modern "healers".

Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies (FACT)

FACT is a quarterly online review journal that aims to present the evidence on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in an analytical and impartial manner. All volumes of the journal can be accessed via this link by clicking on the 'contents' section. [Editor in Chief: Professor Edzard Ernst, Laing Chair in Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, UK.]

Consumer Health Digest

In January 2001, the American-based National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) began distributing a free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by Stephen Barrett, M.D., and co-sponsored by Quackwatch. It summarises scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement actions; news reports; website evaluations; recommended and non-recommended books; research tips; and other information relevant to consumer protection and consumer decision-making. Subscribe to the newsletter via this link.

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