Perspectives
Practitioners, doctors and academics share their perspectives from a range of backgrounds in the controversial world of alternative therapies
Critical, not dismissive
Seeking proof for practitioner's claims isn't to dismiss them as charlatans, but a duty for the sceptical scientist.
Should doctors consult CAM?
Are there lessons for all doctors in the series? Tom Heller offers a view from a GP.
Testing challenges
The nature of the treatments can create challenges when validating alternative therapies.
There's the rub
Science struggles to find any basis for it, but its supporters insist it helps them - so is reflexology valid?
Deeper thought
Brain imaging techniques shows something happens - but it's still far from clear what that is. Consider meditation.
Under the influence?
Used with care and seen as a vehicle rather than a cure, can there be a medical role for hypnotherapy?
My reflexology
Reflexologist Elizabeth Rabone explains how she believes her specialism works: a reflexologist writes...
Open2 features a number of articles on complementary and alternative medicine, which have been written by a range of people with expertise in their subject area.
The materials have been created to help you find out more about CAM therapies but the opinions expressed in the articles and in any of the links remain those of the authors and not necessarily of The Open University or the BBC.
We have also included some links to websites that remain sceptical about complementary and alternative medicine and we hope that you will find these useful as you form your own opinions about this subject area.
Content last updated: 04/12/2007
