Alternative (holistic) vs. modern medicine?

I tend to think that alternative medicine is a bit hokie and not backed up by anything empirical. What are your thoughts for or against these types?

so educate me... whats hokie about modern medicine? whats good about alternative medicine?

Modern medicine in general works much faster than alternative medicine and a single prescribed medication will often achieve what can only be achieved by taking several alternative medications.

The big negative with modern medicine is that most prescribed medications have side effects such as headaches, dizziness, aching muscles, coughing, etc, etc.

With alternative medications in general you avoid all those side effects.

I think we are on the cutting edge of new medicine. Think about it, how many times do you go to a doc and really get better. My guess is not much. It usually takes your own system and common sense. I think we will soon be using a lot of other methods for healing. like acupunture. Use it along with your regular doc and of course dont get off any meds without his knowledge and get yoursef informed, There is no person or doc out there that cares for your body as much as you do, so you need to do the work with research. they will not take the time. good luck

That's a very broad generalization. I think there is enough stuff that's "hokie" in both alternative and "modern" medicine. You need to be a thoughtful and involved consumer, no matter what kind of medical help you seek.
Also, consider what people will think about our "modern" medicine 100 years from now.

I agree. My mother-in-law has been going to doctors like that for YEARS and is still "sick". I think SOME alternative medicine works, like meditation, accupuncture, etc. Things that have ACTUALLY been around for hundreds of years, but you can't tell me that diluting the essence of something 30 times STILL has the same potency as it did by itself, and that hanging it around your neck will cure you of ANYTHING.