Alternative medicines 'effective'

More than a third of patients with long-term fatigue conditions believe complementary and alternative medicines are more effective than traditional medicine, research has revealed.

The study by pharmacy researchers at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen found that sufferers of chronic conditions such as ME had relief from symptoms when they used complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs).

The findings showed 34% of participants believed CAMs were more effective in alleviating their symptoms than traditional medicines.

Symptoms included pain and malaise or a general feeling of low energy and a general feeling of being unwell.

A total of 60% believed CAMs were what kept them well and 73% of participants who reported using CAMs believed that they had improved their health.

Of those who reported using chiropracty, 83% said they were very satisfied with it, while 46.3% believed that a combination of CAM and orthodox medicine was better than using traditional medicine alone to treat their illness.

Of those questioned 98% believed alternative therapy should be available through the NHS.

A total of 41 patients were questioned for the study using an anonymous questionnaire over a six-week period.

Lead researcher Dr Yash Kumarasamy said: "Many patients who have a long-term fatigue condition turn to alternative therapies because they feel that orthodox treatments failed to work for them, or because they experienced a lack of support from their healthcare team.

"Patients need to know how important it is to consult a healthcare professional before they take complementary or alternative medicines, or stop taking prescription medication."

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