I chose to read Trick or Treatment by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst because I had read a book review about it.
It applies the scientific method to four different alternative treatments. The treatments that it examines are chiropractory, herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture, and then it also adds a real quick review of really well known other really well known alternative therapies like reiki, massage, hypnosis and all sorts of different things so you have a real quick index of those as well.
I definitely have had acupuncture, I tried homeopathy once, it was a disaster and didn't do anything for me, and of course, I've tried various herbal treatments, and I've had chiropractory, so or a chiropractic treatment. So, I was very interested to find out, "Okay, is this worth my money?" And what's great about the book is they have they look at numerous scientific studies so that you can really know what's based on the placebo effect and what's actually where the treatment is working. Now, what's amazing is that for most of these treatments; not for all of them, but for a lot of them, the placebo effect is, seems to be the only thing happening with these treatments that so many people invest so much money in.
This book really influenced me because it made it really clear what the limits are of acupuncture; I would not even go near homeopathy based on this book. It's also a really interesting read, because they talk about historical medicinal practices like leeches and bloodletting. I think it's gonna be tough for someone who believes in certain alternative therapies to read this book. I think the book is great because it doesn't get too scientific; it doesn't, it's not inaccessible at all; it's just a relatively easy but well explained read.
I'm gonna give the book five out of five 'cause it's so well researched, really clearly written and interesting also.
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