Forum Topic

Holistic/CAM friendly GP in TW8?

Hello, we are moving into the area and are looking for a holistic/complementary and alternative therapy friendly GP on the NHS.  They don't have to be trained in alternative therapies, just someone who is open minded and doesn't have a problem referring us to holistic treatments and therapists!  If anyone knows of any helpful GPs like this on the NHS in Brenford/Chiswick TW8 9QU area that would be very much appreciated!Thanks in advance.

Sharron Ward ● 6230d8 Comments

"Eye-glasses" have a scientific explanation, acupuncture doesn't. That's the difference.

Kath Richardson ● 6161d

I well remember the reporting of the case mentioned in this article:"it was during President Nixon's historic trip to China in 1971 that journalist James Reston became ill with appendicitis. In a life-threatening situation, he was hospitalized and his appendix removed. He recovered splendidly. The point? Reston's appendix was removed and the Chinese doctors used acupuncture as anesthesia! Nixon was understandably impressed. This event is credited with initiating an exchange program between medical practitioners in the two countries. The door was open. As we have seen before, when something works, people want it."That was nearly 40 years ago, since when many tens of millions of people have been treated with acupuncture throughout the far east and in the west. And some people are still asking about 'tests'?! Next week - do eye-glasses really work or are they a passing fad?

MP Parry ● 6162d

hiya, i general read the BMJ, would have to check exactly when this was from (about 5 years ago) but specifically for pain relief acupuncture has been validated which is why this is specifically available on the NHS. i do also read ben goldacres column from time to time :)

Richard Baxter ● 6162d

Have read it, that's why I was asking Richard what he has been reading

Kath Richardson ● 6163d

Ben Goldacre's column in the Guardian and his book 'Bad Science' might be worth a read.

Alan Clark ● 6163d

"Some Gp's will offer acupuncture and this more mainstream 'alternative' medicine is available through referral particularly for pain management where it has been shown effective in double blind randomised controlled trials."Can you point me to these trials as my understanding is that there have been no double blind randomised controlled trials which show acupuncture to be effective.

Kath Richardson ● 6163d

Hi, you have probably resolved your question by now as i note your post was back in may, but as i am one of the local Gp's (im the one with the purple hair!) i thought you might still be interested in my perspective. As the earlier post mentioned i think dr Lane.. along with myself and most other GP's wont' have any problems with discussing alternative therapies. Some Gp's will offer acupuncture and this more mainstream 'alternative' medicine is available through referral particularly for pain management where it has been shown effective in double blind randomised controlled trials. beyond this we are relatively constrained by what is promoted in the wider NHS on the basis of demonstrable cost effectiveness and very few alternative medications have been 'verified' by a 'scientific' approach capable of measuring cost effectiveness. But it's hard to measure what really matters, or to paraphrase einstein badly 'what counts can't be counted' dr richard baxter

Richard Baxter ● 6165d

We are registered with the Brentford Practice (Drs Lane, Hugh-Jones) and whilst so far as I know they don't have any problems with alternative treatments being sought I'm not sure that they would actually recommend therapists.  Hope that's helpful.

Pat Kingham ● 6225d