If you're looking for a short answer to this question, it is probably "no." However, the long answer is "yes." Doesn't make sense? Let's look at just some of the details and contradictions involved in answering the question, "Is alternative medicine effective?"

On Its Own, No

If you prefer taking a back seat approach to your healthcare, allowing a doctor to make the decisions and just give you instructions, then alternative medicine treatments will probably make you feel like you've wasted your money. Alternative medicine is more than squeezing some crystals and sniffing some oils - you will be required to be an active participant and possibly change lifelong bad habits. So, if that sounds like more than you wanted, then the answer to, "is alternative medicine effective?" is definitely a no for you.

Combined with Other Factors, Yes

Well then, when is alternative effective? It is effective when you use it in combination with changes in your diet, changes in your lifestyle, changes in your coping skills, as well as possible changes in attitude and environment. Alternative treatments is also effective when combined with conventional medicine - it does not force you to give up entirely on modern medicine and is not meant to be a complete substitute for every health issue you will ever have.

Taking a long, hard look at your life, your medical history, and the people and environment you choose to surround yourself in is a part of alternative medicine. These things may be contributing to what is making you ill.

You are more than just your body - you've got a soul and a mind that add a huge range of emotions to the mix. You also have a direct connection with everyone and everything around you. Your stress level as well as the people and environment who surround you all contribute - sometimes positively, sometimes not - to your health.

So, is alternative treatments effective, you ask? Yes, but only if it is the right decision for you. There is no remedy or supplement available that will cure your asthma if you decide to continue chain smoking. Alternative medicine will ask you to choose between breathing and cigarettes. Yes, it is difficult, but very simple at the same time.

Alternative medicine asks you to have faith in your own healing powers and think a bit outside of the box. With conventional medicine, you are given strict instructions to follow and given very little chance for input. But with alternative treatments you are expected to play an active role in your own health and be responsible for the decisions that are made to keep you healthy.