preponderance of evidence

[Guest guest]

If chinese clinical research is so shoddy, why should we still have

faith in the efficacy of TCM?

 

Long historical tradition - even if this is not scientific, medical

anthropologists agree that a culture could not be as durable as the

chinese without some sort of effective healthcare intervention

 

Pharmacological research - this is distinct from clinical research and

appears to much more valid. It is much easier to show that an herb

lowers blood pressure in lab animals than it is to show that it cures

hypertension in humans. I find much of this research very convincing

and often well duplicated intra and inter culturally.

 

clinical research - I find much of this shoddy, however there is some

quality research (perhaps 5-10%) and it generally bears out efficacy and

traditional ideas. There is also such a high volume of this shoddy

research in some cases that the poor design is not enough for me to

totally dismiss it.

 

Taking these three threads together, I think there is a preponderance of

evidence suggesting TCM works, but definitely no proof in the modern

sense of that word.

 

--

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine

 

FAX:

[Guest guest]

Taking these three threads together, I think there is a preponderance ofevidence suggesting TCM works, but definitely no proof in the modernsense of that word.>>>>>>I think we need to be careful when saying TCM works. I am sure it works for many disorders the question is when and how much.

Alon

 

-

cha

Saturday, April 21, 2001 2:22 PM

preponderance of evidence

If chinese clinical research is so shoddy, why should we still havefaith in the efficacy of TCM?Long historical tradition - even if this is not scientific, medicalanthropologists agree that a culture could not be as durable as thechinese without some sort of effective healthcare interventionPharmacological research - this is distinct from clinical research andappears to much more valid. It is much easier to show that an herblowers blood pressure in lab animals than it is to show that it cureshypertension in humans. I find much of this research very convincingand often well duplicated intra and inter culturally.clinical research - I find much of this shoddy, however there is somequality research (perhaps 5-10%) and it generally bears out efficacy andtraditional ideas. There is also such a high volume of this shoddyresearch in some cases that the poor design is not enough for me tototally dismiss it.Taking these three threads together, I think there is a preponderance ofevidence suggesting TCM works, but definitely no proof in the modernsense of that word.--DirectorChinese Herbal Medicinehttp://www..orgFAX: Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education.

[Guest guest]

, <alonmarcus@w...> wrote:

> Taking these three threads together, I think there is a preponderance of

> evidence suggesting TCM works, but definitely no proof in the modern

> sense of that word.

>

> >>>>>>I think we need to be careful when saying TCM works. I am sure it works

for many disorders the question is when and how much.

> Alon

 

 

agreed.