Sir, Scientific evidence is not the be-all and end-all. Advances in medical science have undoubtedly revolutionised the management of many diseases, yet surveys indicate that more people are feeling unwell than 30 years ago. This is largely made up of younger people with long-term illnesses, many of which have no adequate pathological basis and no treatment. Medically unexplained illness probably costs the NHS more money in terms of fruitless investigations and ineffective treatment than any other category. Yet it is these same illnesses that respond best to complementary therapies.

There is probably no “scientific” basis to many complementary therapies. I can’t be persuaded that extreme dilutions of homoeopathic medicines contain anything other than “tincture of faith”. And the meridians used in acupuncture are without any obvious anatomical basis. But that doesn’t matter. If patients have faith in them, they will feel better. Trials have clearly shown that people feel better after a course of complementary therapy, but these are not placebo-controlled trials. They can’t be, because complementary therapies actually employ the healing power of the placebo or belief.

Belief is a crucial aspect of healing. If patients feel listened to and understood, this will promote healing. This has been implicit in medical practice for 5,000 years.

Healing now rests not with the medical profession but with counsellors, psychotherapists and complementary practitioners; the very band of healers that government is considering evicting from the NHS for lack of evidence.

DR NICK READ
Ilkley, W Yorks

Sir, I wonder what Hippocrates would say to learn that the practice of modern medicine is the third-biggest cause of death after cancer and heart disease? Would he be happy to find many patients are in hospital beds because of the adverse effects of prescribed drugs?

Perhaps we should look to Germany, where many doctors also practise alternative medicine. Germany has developed effective homoeopathic remedies that have anti-viral and other capabilities. It is difficult to find such remedies in the NHS homoeopathic hospitals.

DR JOHN MILLWARD
Throop, Dorset

Sir, The NHS would not be under “intense pressure” as the professors state (report, May 23) had it worked alongside alternative therapists sooner. The basic premise of conventional medicine is that you treat the symptoms, while that of alternative therapies such as homoeopathy is that you treat the root cause of the problem. I say “work alongside” since the majority of alternative practitioners advocate doing just that. The reason treatments such as homoeopathy and acupuncture have found a voice within the NHS is because they work. They are a safer and less expensive alternative to popping pills. Not every conventional treatment works for every patient but we would not say such a treatment does not work at all. The same is the case for alternative treatments.

SARAH BARWICK
Caterham, Surrey

Sir, I have offered to take part in research to help to gather just such evidence for the practice of reiki and have approached two universities. Neither has taken up my offer.

The professors’ letter reads: “While medical practice must remain open to new discoveries for which there is convincing evidence . . . it would be highly irresponsible to embrace any medicine as though it were a matter of principle.”

Reflexology goes back to at least 2300BC and healing to biblical times. I practise reflexology and reiki and look on them as “complementary therapies”. It is not an either/or situation. Complementary therapists work alongside conventional doctors for the greater good of the patient. We help our patients to take greater responsibility for their own health. Do doctors have a problem with that?

EILEEN WINCH
Hebburn, Tyne and Wear

Sir, Breast cancer patients tell us that complementary therapies play an important part in relieving side effects and improving their quality of life. Key reasons for the lack of scientific evidence and the confusion about their safety and whether they are effective are the difficulty of designing appropriate studies and obtaining funding.

As part of the Complementary Cancer Care Charities Partnership group we work with experts to develop proposals that will investigate the use of these therapies. With so many cancer patients now using complementary therapies alongside conventional treatments it’s vital that they have access to the reliable information they need to make informed choices.

JEREMY HUGHES
Chief Executive
Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Sir, This Government has stated that it is committed to choice in the NHS. Now that choice is being restricted. There is evidence to show that services such as acupuncture are exceedingly effective, yet anyone seeking this type of service must now pay for it.

Is this good old-fashioned incompetence, or privatisation via the back door?

JOSS BOLTON
London EC3

Sir, Years ago I had a GP who, when I entered her surgery, would say: “Come and sit down. What can I do to help you?” She listened and would occasionally murmur: “Oh dear, that must be nasty for you”; “What a shame!”. I felt better after just talking to her.

After moving house recently, I consulted a local GP. I walked into her surgery and she didn’t look up, but continued to type into her computer. Eventually, she acknowledged my presence. I felt guilty for having disturbed her obviously busy workload.

Is it too much trouble for GPs to be taught the art of compassion and communication? Is it any wonder that people are turning to alternative medicine.

GRETA WARD
Hayling Island, Hants

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