BBC
This series tells the story of a remarkable journey taken by scientist Kathy Sykes to uncover the truth behind the world’s most ancient medicines. She sets off to discover whether they really do work and - if so - how. It’s a journey that will challenge all our views of who we really are and how best to treat ourselves.
Kathy believes, like most of us, in the power of modern medicine. The benefits are obvious: we can all expect to live longer and healthier lives than ever before. So, why are people turning towards alternatives in increasing numbers? More than 10 million of us in the UK have tried some form of alternative medicine. And, globally, it’s a 60 billion dollar business.
The claims often made for alternative medicines are extraordinary. Many believe they are the most effective treatment for chronic diseases like Alzheimers, back pain and osteoarthritis. Some even propose them as frontline treatments for cancer and HIV.
So what’s the truth? Are alternative medicines really so effective? Do they really have a place alongside or even instead of conventional medicines? And, if they do, how on earth do they work?
In this series, Kathy sets out finally to answer these questions. With an open-minded, scientific spirit she examines the three most popular alternative medicines – acupuncture, healing, and herbs. She wants to know for herself whether a few needles, a handful of herbs or even a prayer can have such a dramatic effect on our health.
Her investigation takes her into the strange world of shamans, therapists, bizarre practices and ancient texts. She hears the most extraordinary claims from practitioners and patients. She forensically tests the claims for herself and, using ground-breaking scientific techniques, she conducts her own experiments to get the answers. This is the most authoritative and exhaustive investigation into alternative medicines ever conducted on television.
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Alternative Medicine in more depth:
OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - Programme 1: Acupuncture
Production team
Kathy Sykes investigates the 2,000 year-old practice of acupuncture for the BBC/OU series Alternative Medicine Read more : OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - Programme 1: Acupuncture
OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - Programme 2: Healing
BBC
Kathy Sykes investigates the effectiveness of spiritual healing for the BBC/OU series Alternative Medicine Read more : OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - Programme 2: Healing
OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - Programme 3: Herbalism
Production team
Kathy Sykes continues her investigation for the BBC/OU series Alternative Medicine, this time looking at the ancient practice of herbalism Read more : OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - Programme 3: Herbalism
OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - The Expert View
Used with permission
Experts in the field of CAM offer their personal views about some of the approaches used in CAM today. Read more : OU on the BBC: Alternative Medicine - The Expert View
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Comments on: "About The Series"
Brian Dixon-Warren has started a thread discussing About The Series.
Dear Kathy:
I watched the Introductory program on Spiritual healing on "Knowledge", our only commercial-free TV program here in BC Canada. It was superb! Congratulations!
As a recently retired family doctor, I have had an interest in the "Powerful Placebo" for many years, & for about 10 years had a committee responsibility in studying the explosion of interest & use of CAM here in N. America.
I realize that you may well be familiar with the literature on these topics from both sides of the Atlantic. However, I would be happy to send you a list of the texts that I have found most helpful if you wish.
Are your two series (Alternative Medicine & Alternative Therapies) available on DVD? If so, perhaps you can let me know how I can obtain them.
In any case, please carry on the good work!
Brian Dixon-Warren.