Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Alternative

medicine

is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional

medicine

and it is still used by many people all over the world. I do not agree that it is dangerous, and feel that

both

alternative

and conventional

medicine

can be useful. There are several reasons why the conventional medical community is often dismissive of alternatives. 

Firstly

, there has been little scientific research into

such

medicine

, so there is a scarcity of evidence to support the claims of their supporters.

Furthermore

, people often try

such

treatment because of recommendations from friends, and

therefore

come to the therapist with a very positive attitude, which may be part of the reason for the cure.

Moreover

, these

therapies

are usually only useful for long-term, chronic conditions. Acute medical problems,

such

as accidental injury, often require more conventional methods.

On the other hand

, there remain strong arguments for the use of alternatives.  Despite the lack of scientific proof, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that these

therapies

work.

In addition

, far from being dangerous, they often have few or no side effects, so the worst outcome would be no change. One of the strongest arguments for the effectiveness of

alternative

therapies

in the West is that, whilst conventional

medicine

is available without charge, many people are prepared to pay considerable sums for alternatives. If they were totally unhelpful, it would be surprising if

this

continued. To conclude, I strongly believe that conventional

medicine

and

alternative

therapies

can and should coexist. They have different strengths, and can

both

be used effectively to target particular medical problems. The best situation would be for

alternative

therapies

to be used to support and complement conventional

medicine

. The essay has a well-balanced argument looking at

both

sides of the issue. The

first

body paragraph expresses some doubt about

alternative

therapies

 (...little scientific research.. .only useful for long term...), but in the

second

body ,paragraph the writer takes a different view (

On the other hand

...) and examines the benefits (...few side effects).  The writer's concluding paragraph offers a strong opinion (I strongly believe...) and sums up the fact that

both

types of treatment are valid today.