The Magic Feather Effect

Former New York Times reporter Warner (Pandora's Lunchbox) leavens skepticism with support to investigate the role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in contemporary health care. The author first examines the existing science behind CAM therapies, then considers how CAM's successes can be put to use in mainstream medicine. Warner discusses a variety of therapies but neglects to distinguish between evidence-based practices, such as chiropractic medicine and acupuncture taught in accredited schools, and other types of CAM. Some of her claims are incorrect; for example, "alternative" practitioners cannot give any diagnosis or treatment they wish but are instead bound by licensure scope of practice as well as statutes against administering treatment without a license. Warner categorizes CAM therapies plus physical therapy as "placebos," with their sole value based in the ritual of the therapeutic encounter. She encourages mainstream medical practitioners to incorporate these features into their own services in order to reduce patients' desire to see CAM professionals. VERDICT Recommended for readers who may turn to questionable sources for health advice and would appreciate a readable account of CAM exploration. Less useful for those already familiar with evidence-based forms of CAM.--Monica Howell, Northwestern Health Sciences Univ. Lib., Bloomington, MN