Alternative therapy is a practice in the field of medicine that uses unconventional (non-scientific) methods for healing. There are a number of alternative therapies available and those include acupuncture, arthroscopic medicines, chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, and osteopathy. These therapies over the years have been commonly used in various treatments especially by adults. So the question now to be asked is, whether this form of therapy is safe to be used on children too? To answer this question we will have to individually analyze each therapy to determine whether it is safe for a child or not. The analyses of the various therapies are as follows
- Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a form of alternative therapy that originated from traditional Chinese medicine. This therapy involves inserting needles at points on the body identified as “acupuncture points”. As for its affect on children, generally speaking it is safe. With a study carried out by the University of Alberta in Canada indicating that acupuncture when conducted by trained paediatricians is certainly safe. The only issue being the use of needles which many children hate as they find it unsettling.
- Anthrosophic medicine:
Devised by Rudolph Steiner in the 1920’s (along with Ita Wegman) Anthrosophic form of alternate medicine is essentially based on “occult notions and spiritual philosophy”. It involves the use of massage, exercises, counselling, plant derived substances etc. Generally speaking there is no adverse affect on children due to the use of this form of alternative therapy. The only issue being that anthrosophical doctors strongly oppose immunization. As a result of which you tend to see low immunization in children using this form of alternative medicine. This is clearly evident in a survey conducted in Sweden which showed that only 18% students had received immunization in anthrospohical based schools as compared to 93% in other schools in the country.
- Chiropractic:
Chiropractic is an alternate form of medicine that involves the diagnosis and treatment of the mechanical disorders involving the spine i.e. musculoskeletal system. This form of alternate therapy is supposed to be the largest in the alternative medical profession. As for the use of this form of alternative therapy in children research shows that this method of treatment is in fact beneficial for children. However, since this treatment involves the spine serious adverse affects such as disturbance of the vertebral artery circulation are a possibility.
- Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is essentially a form of pseudoscience that was invented by Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. This term “homeopathy” was first coined by Hahnemann and officially made an appearance in print in 1807. This form of alternative therapy is based on the concept that “a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in healthy people would eventually cure symptoms in sick people”. Although this form of alternative therapy is safe for children due precaution needs to be taken before application. For example if a child has health issues having symptoms that are complicated then using homeopathy without consulting a paediatrician is extremely risky and should be avoided. There have also been cases where homeopathic medications have been found to contain substances such as belladonna in doses that could prove toxic.
- Naturopathy:
The term “naturopathy” which was first coined in 1895 is a form of alternative therapy that involves the use of wide range of “natural therapies” such as homeopathy, herbalism (Ayurveda) etc. This form of alternative therapy is based on the concept of “self healing” rather than “scientifically approved medication”. Overall this form of therapy is certainly safe for children to use although there is one major concern. And that concern is related to immunization. Which naturopaths do not allow for because of their belief in natural remedy.
- Osteopathy:
Coined by an American physician Andrew Taylor Still MD, DO, Osteopathy which means “sensitive to the bone” is a form of alternative therapy. This therapy is essentially a health care system consisting of “diagnosis and treatment” that emphasizes a relationship between structure and function in the body. In relation to children there is evidence that it has been effective in treating conditions relating to head and spine. Unfortunately this therapy has been found inadequate for conditions not associated with the bones and muscles. For example conditions such as headaches, migraines, and excessive crying in babies i.e. colic etc.
As can be seen there exist “pros and cons” for all forms of alternative therapy and, so it will eventually be the perception of the parents/guardians that will decide whether alternative therapies are safe for children or not.
