[Do we need an alternative medicine?]

Abstract

In recent years unconventional diagnostic and therapeutic concepts proposed by a number of doctors have increasingly been brought into the public's attention. Those involved have wanted to draw the distinction between the conventional understanding of medicine taught at universities and their concepts of "Holistic Medicine" ("Ganzheitsmedizin"), "Therapy by Experience" ("Erfahrungsheilkunde") and "Biological Medicine" ("Biologische Medizin"). The case of "Elektroakupunktur nach Dr. Voll (EAV)" will be taken as an example to show how an unconventional technique has been used for decades without its efficacy ever having been proven according to the criteria of scientifically orientated medicine. Nevertheless, the advocates of these unconventional concepts keep on supporting their views! The completely different approach to medicine and science--the cause of this divergence--will be explained. Furthermore, it will be considered if the high claims for this way of alternative medicine can be justified. However, even if no such alternative forms of medicine can be supported, some reorientation of the conventional medicine seems to be necessary.