Alternative Medicine Is Wave of the Future, South Carolina Doctor Says

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Alternative Medicine Is Wave of the Future, South Carolina Doctor Says

Maze , The Post and Courier, ton, S.C.

Apr. 29--Brad is in his fourth year at the Medical University of

South Carolina, on his way toward a career in internal medicine. As one

of his electives, took a rotation in complementary and alternative

medicine, or CAM.

He found it unlike anything else he's learned.

" It's a completely different language, " said. " If you don't have

some experience in it, it doesn't make any sense. I think a lack of

familiarity scares a lot of doctors. I wanted to have an open mind about

it if one of my patients wanted that. "

Nestler believes 's approach is the future of medicine.

Nestler is the director of complementary and alternative medicine at the

Medical University. Speaking Thursday to a group attending the South

Carolina Medical Association's annual meeting and scientific assembly,

Nestler said CAM is becoming an increasing part of the medical

landscape, rather than an " alternative. "

" It's not going away, " Nestler said. " It's not a trend in medicine. It's

not a revolution in medicine. It's an evolution in medicine. "

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a wide range of healing

philosophies that Western, or conventional, medicine does not commonly

use. Some CAM practices include acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy

or therapeutic massage.

They can be used alone, as an alternative, or as a complement to

conventional medicine.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found

that in 1990, 33 percent of Americans were using one of these therapies.

By 1997 that number grew to 42 percent, and could be higher today --

Nestler cited one study that found 51 percent of South Carolina's

patient population used complementary or alternative medicine.

In addition, more doctors are recommending alternative therapies. The

NCCAM cited a 1994 study that found 60 percent of physicians recommended

an alternative therapy at least once, and 47 percent used alternative

therapies themselves.

Americans spent more than $27 billion on complementary or alternative

medicine in 1997, according to the NCCAM, a number almost certainly

higher today: Nestler told the medical association that CAM could be an

estimated $150 billion industry this year.

Nevertheless, Nestler did indicate there are some fallacies about

alternative medicine and those who practice it. " A lot of doctors want

to know if I'm Chinese, " he said. Nestler is not. They also ask him if

he wears jeans and a T-shirt to work rather than a suit and tie.

At the SCMA meeting, Nestler wore a suit and tie. His hair was short.

Nestler discounted many of what he saw as false beliefs of CAM

practices -- for instance, he said practitioners don't leave traditional

medicine behind. He spent four years training in acupuncture and herbal

medicine, with the first two years spent learning Western medicine.

He also said that both Western medicine and alternative therapies could

work together. Physicians can practice it somewhat themselves -- Nestler

said the American Medical Association is offering doctors training in

some acupuncture, for instance.

But generally, traditional physicians should include alternative

therapies as an option, especially since so many have indicated a

willingness to go outside the mainstream for health care.

" It's no longer 'alternative,' " Nestler said. " It's an expanded view of

health. "