Do alt-med consumers ever get a second opinion?

[Orrex]

If, for instance, I don't believe the corner herbalist when he tells me to take powdered yak toenails for my psoriasis, do I check with the herbalist downtown to confirm or contradict that prescription? And on what basis might the second herbalist contradict the first?

It seems to me that alt-med profiteers must be very skilled at giving their advice in the vaguest of terms, akin to "cold reading," so that no one can corner them on it after the fact. This likely includes even other alt-med practitioners, because if you contradict Bob re: yak toenails, you're going to be in trouble the next time he hears that you've prescribed a course of rhino dung for someone's fibromyalgia.


What do you think? Does the practice of getting a second opinion even exist in the alt-med world?

[uppityperson]

1. smart people do.

[beam me up scottie]

2. Probably as often as they get a second opinion on psychic readings.

Or check out Consumer Reports to figure out which Orgone Generator is the best for their particular needs.

And no doubt as often as they consult a science-based medical professional to find out if their kid is a http://web.archive.org/web/20060907100047/www.g-a-i-a.com/library/050401WAVE-C_01Q.php:">Dolphin, Rainbow, or Magenta Child.

[TZ]

3. No because the products are always so HONESTLY labelled.

It tells you exactly everything its good for. And since all these people sell this shit..er stuff for the public good no profit is ever made and therefore everything is TWOO! oh just in case..:sarcasm:
BTW, your post made me think of the ads for this gold bond foot powder which sounds like it can cure EVERYTHING your foot might ever encounter..:crazy:

[jberryhill]

14. But...

Gold Bond Foot Powder is MEDICATED!



Says so, right on the label.

[CanSocDem]

4. Who are you asking...????

The locals????

Seriously, do you think they would know?

Anyway...."opinions" are like a-holes. Everybody has one.

I would wager that even the medics have one.

.

[Djinn]

5. yes but there's INFORMED opinion

ill informed opinion and there's pure fantasy opinion.

I can have any opinion I want on black holes/horse racing/chinchilla breeding but it wont be an informed one.

A herbalist/psychic etc can have ANY opinion they like on human biology/chemistry/drug interactions/disease progression/genetics etc but unless they can show me their relevant degree (and not one from a correspondence course) I'll hold their views in very low regard.

Do you take this view to it's logical conclusion CanSocDem? When your lights go on the blink do you figure "hey anyone can have an opinion on electricity I reckon I'll rewire the house myself"

On edit - I seem to recall asking some very polite questions in the new agey group ages ago and the posts were immediately deleted - is their a new rule where snarky-arsed posts in groups you clearly do not agree with are OK now?

Personally I'd be all for it - if you can't sustain an argument in the face of questioning I've always figured you can't be on very firm ground but it does seem to be the point of the numerous "group" bantustans - so can I come over to your woo group and be as snarky (without actually posting anything of substance) as you?

[bluedawg12]

6. No of course not, everything always work, all the time for all cures.

It's the power of ***Placebo*** (tm) pending, this product has not been shown by the FDA to cure any diseases or conditions, certain restrictions may apply, sales tax not included.

[TZ]

7. You know bluedawg12

I'm a little skeptical of someone that has "dawg" in their screenname and posts lolcat pics all the time..:rofl: :P
Just kidding..I LOVE your lolcats!

[bluedawg12]

8. I'm enchanted

by those cute LOL cat pics. I am powerless, they take over my mind once I see one. :rofl:

TZ-- I'm glad you enjoy them. :hi:

[Heddi]

11. Hysteri-Heddi was a LOLcat for Halloween

and it was then that the Orbs impregnanted her vagina, and the rest, you know, is history...





(notice the orb in teh right hand corner of the picture, by her hand. That is (one of) the Orbs that impregnanted her...well, you know.....)

I think that her Kitty Kat Bow Tie was so tight that it caused anoxic brain injury. Although she was pretty....unwell....before her unfortunate costume. Even more unfortunate was how absolutely hillarious and clever she thought she was (and me too!) but no one else got it. They read her caption...I...Kan...Has...Trikker..what? I don't get it..." Poor dear. So misunderstood.

[TZ]

12. You know it is fitting you dressed up as a cat...

I just found out that cats are EVUL ALIEN PREDATORS who kill innocent endangered critters...So thats a perfect costume for an evil shill like you...killing innocents is your life work afterall...

[Heddi]

13. Well, I *HAPPEN* to like cats, SHILL

and they suck the breth from HEATHEN HATERS like YOU so suck on THAT, SUCKER1!

[uppityperson]

10. My tuxedo does that all the time.

Starts with gently tapping my arm. Then the whiskers in the face and nose...right there. If that doesn't work, the claws gently poke and the licking of the eyelids commence. How did they get a picture of my cat?

[bluedawg12]

9. Second opinions yes, refunds no.