New CMA Research Division
28/05/2007

By
Jayney Goddard

In response to the constant cries  of :

“There is no research in complementary medicine”,

The CMA is in the process of setting up a research division. 

We have on our team a research scientist who is currently working in Big Pharma and has had enough!  In addition, we have a top flight statistician to analyse any trial results.  Both of these individuals are highly experienced and highly credible with impeccable scientific credentials.

One of the big problems facing us in complementary medicine is that it is such an enormous field.  While many scientists consider the placebo-controlled, double blind trial to be the gold standard of scientific endeavour, this approach doesn’t apply well to many complementary medical approaches—especially the more energy medicine orientated techniques.  Of course disciplines such as nutrition and herbalism have the advantage as they deal with substances that have measurable molecules and these can be measured in a conventional manner and their biological effects can be easily monitored in the body—so these trials should be very easy to conduct indeed.

Back to the thorny issue of energy medicine disciplines such as Bi-Aura/Bio-Energy, Qi-Gong, reflexology, reiki, healing, acupuncture, and so on.  In fact, it is actually really easy to design robust trial protocols for these approaches—I know because I have done it, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Social Sciences at Durham University—and we got meaningful, credible results. 

I am occasionally dismayed though by the apathy displayed by some members of the complementary medical profession who constantly say that we can’t compete with Big Pharma as they have all the money and power.  It is time to overcome this negative thinking and to stand up and get on with the job of proving that what we do works.  It is the only way that ultimately we will be able to protect our profession. No one is going to do it for you—take responsibility!  We need affimative action from individuals to seize the initiative.

So, if you, or any one you know wants to begin to run trials of any kind do contact us.  I will happily and positively guide you towards the best way of doing meaningful trials which will push forward the boundaries of complementary medicine.

http://www.the-cma.org.uk

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