Nowadays, a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

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Nowadays, some people trust folk remedies, relying on the experience of past generations,
while
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others lose faith in conventional medicine and look for
alternative
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solutions.
However
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,
this
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trend is ambiguous, from my point of view. On the one hand, the lack of regulation in
alternative
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methods
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can be dangerous, but on the other, some prove helpful in some instances. In
this
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essay, I will explain why I take a neutral stance on
this
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issue, believing each person needs to find a middle ground. First and foremost, we should acknowledge the serious risks associated with
alternative
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treatments. Not only do they include the lack of control over the ingredients, dosage, and quality, but most of these
methods
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have not undergone clinical trials to confirm their effectiveness and safety.
As a result
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, a patient cannot be certain of how the treatment will affect their body. Even worse, some remedies may contain toxic substances,
such
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as snake venom or poisonous mushrooms, which could be life-threatening. The most significant danger is when people with serious illnesses,
such
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as early-stage cancer or autoimmune diseases, delay proper medical treatment in favour of questionable alternatives.
This
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can allow the disease to progress to a point where contemporary medicine is no longer effective. At the same time, some
alternative
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methods
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can be effective for specific conditions.
For example
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, research from Harvard Medical School showed that acupuncture reduced migraine episodes by 50% compared to the initial state. The reason for
this
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is that some diseases, especially those affecting the nervous system, are still not fully understood, as experimenting on the brain is often unethical and risky. Because of
this
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, it may be reasonable to try additional
methods
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as long as they are safe. Personally, I have suffered from migraines since childhood, and I find that massaging my neck and shoulders helps to some extent.
While
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it does not replace prescribed medication, it relaxes my muscles and provides some relief. In conclusion,
alternative
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medicine can be used, but with caution. It is crucial not to reject conventional treatment, as
this
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can lead to serious consequences.
Nonetheless
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, if an
alternative
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method is considered safe and used as a supplement to primary therapy, it can be beneficial. The key is always to consult a doctor, avoid unreliable online remedies, and make health decisions based on well-founded evidence.

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coherence and cohesion
While your essay has a well-structured introduction and clear conclusion, try to ensure that every point made in the body paragraphs is directly linked to the thesis. Emphasizing the balance between alternative and conventional medicine throughout can improve coherence.
task achievement
Ensure that each example provided is fully elaborated for maximum impact. For instance, you could discuss more about the specific studies or cases that support the effectiveness of alternative treatments.
task achievement
To enhance your essay further, consider including more specific data or references to studies that validate your points. The more evidence you include, the stronger your argument will become.
structure
Your introduction clearly outlines your neutral stance and indicates what will be discussed, which sets a good foundation for the essay.
arguments
You have effectively presented both sides of the argument, providing a balanced view of the pros and cons of alternative medicine and conventional treatments.

Word Count

IELTS says that you should write a minimum of 250 words in writing task 2. If you go under word count you will lose marks in task response.

A very long essay will not give you a higher band score.

Aim for between 260 to 290 words in writing task 2. This will ensure a concise essay and will be realistic in terms of time management. You have only 40 minutes to write the essay and you need around 10 minutes of planning time, so you will not be able to write a long essay in 30 minutes.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »— a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Topic Vocabulary:
  • alternative medicines
  • treatments
  • positive development
  • negative development
  • health problems
  • usual doctor
  • access
  • personalized approach
  • holistic well-being
  • lack of regulation
  • evidence-based research
  • proper medical treatment
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