Talk:Alternative medicine

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Science

Q1: Where does the statement that alternative medicine is not evidence-based or scientific come from?

A1: The source for this statement is a report produced by the National Science Foundation, which—while surveying scientific beliefs among the public—used the term "alternative medicine" to refer to all treatments that had not been proven effective using the scientific method. The report went on to describe the American Medical Association definition as "neither taught widely in U.S. medical schools nor generally available in U.S. hospitals." The source is different than the definitions used by major medical bodies and its use as a primary source is not consistent with Wikipedia's guideline on identifying reliable medical sources, but its inclusion remains important to some and a point of contention to others.

Q2: Why don't I see lots of references in the lead?

A2: To keep the lead from looking like a jungle with all the references which are actually used, they have been hidden from view, but are visible when in the editing mode. If a reader has a serious question about the sourcing for a statement in the lead, they can start a thread on this talk page and request to see the reference(s). Then, an editor will unhide that reference for them.

Alternative medicine

This article is within the scope of WikiProject Alternative medicine, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of Alternative medicine related articles on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.Alternative medicineWikipedia:WikiProject Alternative medicineTemplate:WikiProject Alternative medicineAlternative medicine

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Miscellaneous notices

The content of Functional medicine was merged into Alternative medicine on 17 December 2025. The former page's history now serves to provide attribution for that content in the latter page, and it must not be deleted as long as the latter page exists. For the discussion at that location, see its talk page.

The content of Holistic health was merged into Alternative medicine. The former page's history now serves to provide attribution for that content in the latter page, and it must not be deleted as long as the latter page exists. For the discussion at that location, see its talk page.

Whole medical systemsWhole medical systems was merged into this article. The discussion was closed on 13 September 2012 with a consensus to merge. The original page is now a redirect to this article. Its history now serves to provide attribution for the content in this article, and it must not be deleted as long as this article exists.

On 7 March 2013, it was proposed that this article be moved to Complementary and alternative medicine. The result of the discussion was not moved.

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Old discussions at Talk:Complementary and alternative medicine

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Wiki Education assignment: Global Poverty and Practice

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 17 January 2022 and 15 May 2022. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Angelica.gnlz (article contribs).

Wiki Education assignment: Information, Identity, and Everyday Life

Latest comment: 2 months ago1 comment1 person in discussion

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 14 January 2026 and 1 May 2026. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Hdasani (article contribs).

— Assignment last updated by Hruibal (talk) 15:36, 16 March 2026 (UTC)Reply

Flawed, uninformed and biased categorization of Alternative Medicine, Integrative Medicine and Functional Medicine.

Latest comment: 2 months ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Please see numerous previous discussions of these issues on this talk page and its archives. --Tryptofish (talk) 21:01, 26 March 2026 (UTC)Reply

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

To begin with, Alternative Medicine is not synonymous nor interchangeable with Integrative Medicine. There are legitimate departments being created in universities for Integrative Medicine.

I find the categorization wrong. Integrative Medicine should have a page of its own.

Integrative Medicine refers to combining treatments. Acupuncture definitely doesn't cure cancer, Chemo or certain dedicated therapies do. But, Chemo doesn't alleviate anxiety nor the emotional distress expressed by patients. Acupuncture and certain so-called alternative Medicine do that. (Placebo or not, peace is peace) And their effectiveness can be scientifically tested.

This is my humble opinion. AnonymousAd (talk) 20:57, 26 March 2026 (UTC)Reply

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

AMA position statement on complementary and alternative treatments

Latest comment: 1 month ago1 comment1 person in discussion

Australian Medical Association

AMA position statement on complementary and alternative treatments

https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-position-statement-complementary-and-alternative-treatments

Valjean (talk) (PING me) 21:14, 20 April 2026 (UTC)Reply

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