Quote:
Originally Posted by dogsbody70
Are alternative medicines popular in Japan?
Do you believe that some of them can be beneficial.
Have you ever tried any?
It seems to be big business-- Is a healing down to believing that something will work or do they actually work.
Acupuncture seems to be very ancient practice now popular in the West.
REIKI---
various herbal medicine or homeopathy.
Shiatsu Massage and similar types of massage for healing.
What experience have you?
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I think there's a bit of a difference between complimentary medicines (which massage often/herbal remedies often are) and ~alternative~ medicine, which is more things like reiki, spiritual healing etc. I think some complimentary medicines can be certainly beneficial; plenty of people take st johns wort, evening primrose oil or cod liver all without even considering it unusual, and with the exception of homeopathy (which I think is unsound nonsense), there are measurable effects and I think there are some good uses for it. It's by no means a replacement for conventional medicine though.
As for alternative therapies... I have mixed feelings. I know a lot of people who I like and respect who practice and believe in it, and I actually did my dissertation on spiritual healers, but I myself think it's little more than a placebo. Whether or not it actually works or the source of whatever it is is real and exists is open for debate, but i'm happy to admit that for some people it does helps instill a strong sense of relaxation and well-being, which is pretty key to promoting recovery for anything anyway, so if it has merit, that is where it lies.