How effective are holistic drs? what are the pros and cons of holistic medicine?

Science: Alternative medicine is ok as long as it is based in science not in anecdotes and here say. Aka marketing snake oil. Accupuncture, yoga, meditation, herbal heavy metal detox are valid and proven treatment modalities. Colonics, reiki, are of questionable validity and not based on reality.

Holistic medicine: ; western medicine can compliment each other well. I practice acupuncture. See that you have dizziness, anxiety ; heavy periods. There are acupuncture protocols for those 3 conditions. Often using these treatments as an adjunct to standard treatments can be very beneficial.

Treats the whole pt : Holistic implies that the complete individual is treated, not just the disease. That is, the stress, living situation, nutrition etc are taken into consideration when treating , say, the flu. This can be a good thing. Problem is it opens the door to many intuitively hoped-for but scientifically unproven theories such as ' energy imbalances or imaginary toxins., etc. Check http://NCCIH.nih.org