A majority of people believe complementary medicine is as valid as conventional treatment, a survey says. The UK-based survey revealed 68% of 1,000 people questioned had faith in alternative therapies, such as herbal medicine and naturopathy. One in four thought western medicine was the only way to treat health problems, the survey found. It was commissioned by London’s Diagnostic Clinic, which combines orthodox and complementary medicine. People aged 35 to 44 of the 1,000 quizzed were the most likely to have faith in complementary medicine. The findings come at a time when complementary therapies are becoming more popular than ever. Britons spend £130m a year on alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and reflexology, and that is expected to rise by £70m over the next four years. Their popularity has prompted the UK government to pledge £900,000 to fund the regulation of some complementary medicine. Dr Rajendra Sharma, medical director of the Diagnostic Clinic, called for complementary medicine to become more mainstream.
