Osteopathy
A manual therapy involving a range of techniques, particularly mobilization of soft tissues, bones and joints. Osteopaths focus on the musculoskeletal system in treating health and disease.
Background
The American Andrew Taylor Still founded osteopathy in 1874–around the time when chiropractic therapy (see Chapter 4) was created by D. D. Palmer. Osteopathy and chiropractic therapy have much in common, but there are also important differences. Osteopaths tend to use gentler techniques and often employ massage‑like treatments. They also place less emphasis on the spine than chiropractors, and they rarely move the vertebral joints beyond their physical range of motion, as chiropractors tend to do. Therefore osteopathic interventions are burdened with less risk of injury.
In the US, doctors of osteopathy (DOs) are entirely mainstream and only rarely practise manual therapies. In the UK, osteopaths are regulated by statute but considered to be complementary/alternative practitioners. British osteopaths treat mostly musculoskeletal problems, but many also claim to treat other conditions such as asthma, ear infection and colic.
What is the evidence?
There is reasonably good evidence that the osteopathic approach of mobilization is as effective (or ineffective) as conventional treatments for back pain. For all other indications, the data are not conclusive. In particular, the overall conclusion from several clinical trials is that there is no good evidence to support the use of osteopathy in non‑musculoskeletal conditions.
Because their techniques are generally much gentler than those of chiropractors, osteopaths cause adverse effects much less frequently. Nevertheless, people with severe osteoporosis, bone cancer, infections of the bone or bleeding problems should confirm with the osteopath that they will not receive forceful manual treatments.
Conclusion
The evidence that the osteopathic approach is effective for treating back pain is reasonably sound. If, however, you receive no significant benefit then be prepared to switch to physiotherapeutic exercise, which is backed by similar evidence and which can be done in groups and therefore is more cost‑effective. There is no evidence to support osteopathy for the treatment of non‑musculoskeletal conditions.
Oxygen Therapy
The direct or indirect application of oxygen (O 2) or ozone (O 3) to the human body to treat a range of conditions, including serious diseases such as cancer.
Background
Oxygen is essential for life and has many uses in conventional medicine. For instance, if the lungs are no longer capable of taking up sufficient amounts of oxygen, the patient may be given oxygen‑enriched air to breathe.
In the context of alternative medicine, however, oxygen therapy is much more controversial. Alternative oxygen therapy is practised in a variety of ways, which differ according to the way in which oxygen is administered, the type of oxygen (e.g. ozone) administered or the conditions being treated.
There are many ways to administer oxygen. For example, it can be injected subcutaneously or a patient’s blood can be drawn, exposed to oxygen and re‑injected into the body. Alternatively, oxygen‑enriched air can be applied to the skin, or oxygen‑enriched water can be used for colonic irrigation.
The range of conditions supposedly treated by oxygen therapy includes cancer, AIDS, infections, skin diseases, cardiovascular conditions, rheumatic problems and many other illnesses.
What is the evidence?
The fact that we all need oxygen for survival does not mean that more oxygen than normal is beneficial. In fact, it is not: there is plenty of evidence that too much oxygen can be harmful to patients. And, of course, ozone is well known for its extreme toxicity.
Some of the many forms of oxygen therapy have been tested in clinical trials. The results were not convincing and it is therefore safe to say that no type of alternative oxygen therapy is supported by sound evidence. Thus the potential risks clearly outweigh the documented benefits.
Conclusion
Oxygen has a wide variety of uses in conventional medicine, but its role in alternative medicine is based on biologically implausible theories. Therefore, alternative oxygen therapy is unproven and, worse still, potentially harmful. We recommend avoiding it.
Reflexology
A therapeutic technique applying manual pressure to the soles of the feet in order to treat or prevent illness.
Background
Manual massages of the feet are usually experienced as relaxing and it is therefore not surprising that they were used in various ancient cultures. But reflexology is different. It is based on assumptions by William Fitzgerald who, in the early twentieth century, postulated that the body is divided into ten vertical zones, each represented by part of the foot. Fitzgerald and his followers developed maps of the soles of the feet showing which areas correspond to which inner organs.
Reflexologists take a brief medical history and then manually investigate the foot. If they feel a resistance in one area they are likely to diagnose a problem with the corresponding organ. The therapy then consists of a high‑pressure massage at this point, which is believed to repair the function of the troubled organ and ultimately to improve the patient’s health or prevent illness.
One session may last about half an hour, and a series of treatments may consist of ten or more sessions. In the absence of any health problems, many therapists recommend regular maintenance sessions for disease prevention.
What is the evidence?
The postulated reflex pathways between a certain area of the foot and an inner organ do not exist, and the notion that resistance in one area of the foot is a reliable indicator for a problem with a certain organ (e.g. kidney) is unfounded. Hence, the technique is not biologically plausible. Moreover, several different versions of reflexology maps exist–reflexologists cannot even agree among themselves how to apply the treatment. Clinical trials have shown that reflexology has no diagnostic value. Its effectiveness in treating certain health problems has been tested repeatedly. Even though the results have not been uniform, they generally do not demonstrate convincingly that this therapy is effective. There is also no evidence that regular reflexology might prevent diseases.
People with bone or joint conditions of the feet or lower legs might be harmed by the often forceful pressure applied during treatment. Otherwise no serious risks are known.
Conclusion
The notion that reflexology can be used to diagnose health problems has been disproved and there is no convincing evidence that it is effective for any condition. Reflexology is expensive, and it offers nothing more than could be achieved from a simple, relaxing foot massage.
Reiki
A system of spiritual healing or ‘energy’ medicine which is similar to the laying on of hands.
Background