What's The Alternative? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine in which needles are inserted into acupuncture points on the body, to facilitate the flow of "qi", believed to be a vital force present in any living entity. However, there is no scientific evidence that "qi" or even acupuncture points exist and while research would suggest that some existing pain may be alleviated after acupuncture, it is thought that this is due to neuroscience rather than any effect of the acupuncture.

Answer: Hands and Feet

Reflexologists believe that areas of the body are reflected on the hands and feet, therefore massaging the relevant point on the hand or foot will cause physical change in the associated area of the body. Although the practice has been reviewed many times, there is no scientific evidence that reflexology is an effective treatment for any medical condition.

It remains a popular alternative therapy however with over 25% of Danes receiving treatment each year and UK high street chemist "Boots" offering complementary clinics featuring reflexology.

Answer: Auriculotherapy

Much like reflexologists believe that the entire body is mapped on the hands and feet, practitioners of auriculotherapy believe the same is true of the ear, specifically the auricle, or outer portion of the ear. Acupuncture needles are used to treat a variety of physical, mental or emotional health issues, but there is no scientific evidence to substantiate claims that auriculotherapy offers any benefits.

Answer: Reiki

Reiki is of Japanese origin and works on the belief that a practitioner can draw "qi" or universal energy through the body to the site where healing is required. Despite there being no scientific proof of this universal energy, the practice continues to attract fans and has been recommended for ailments including depression, anxiety and cancer.

Answer: Naturopathy

Naturopaths believe that with their assistance, the human body has the ability to heal itself through a special vital energy present within us. Naturopathy has been around since the late 19th century, yet despite its longevity is considered ineffective and often harmful by many medical practitioners. Naturopaths are often against proven medical treatments such as vaccines and antibiotics.

While there is some evidence that some naturopathic treatments can compliment scientifically proven treatments, the practice of naturopathy is unregulated in many countries and actually illegal in the American states of South Carolina and Tennessee.

Answer: Like Cures Like

Homeopathy has been with us since the 18th century and with the phrase "similia similibus curentur", homeopaths believe that that which causes symptoms of a disease in healthy people can cure the same symptoms in sick people. Homeopathic remedies have been proven to have no effect at all on any known disease and governing medical bodies from countries such as UK, Russia, Australia and France have all concluded that homeopathy is ineffective.

Despite this, the practice has a large following worldwide, with many large American stores packaging their homeopathic range to resemble conventional medicines.

Answer: Radionics

Radionics, also known as electromagnetic therapy (EMT), was devised by American physician Albert Abrams in the early 20th century. Abrams claimed that he was able to detect "energy frequencies" in a human body and whilst the "energy frequencies" of a healthy person define health, the "energy frequencies" of an unhealthy person define their illness.

Using machines built by himself, Abrams claimed to be able to cure people by balancing their frequencies. Abrams also claimed his machines were so sensitive, he was able to determine someone's religion simply by looking at a drop of blood, and he became a millionaire through leasing these machines out to practitioners.

Despite Abram's also being known as the "dean of gadget quacks" and his machines being proven useless by an independent investigation in 1924, EMT continues to have its supporters well into the 21st century.

Answer: India

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine which is over 3,000 years old and prescribes living according to your unique makeup, or mind-body type. Ayurveda continues to be extremely popular on the Indian sub continent with an estimated 80% of the population visiting a practitioner either solely or in tandem with Western medicine.

Ayurveda preparations have been analysed and shown to contain high levels of substances harmful to human health, including lead, mercury, and arsenic and the practice remains unregulated in most countries outside the Indian sub continent.

Answer: Aromatherapy

In the practice of aromatherapy, essential oils may be inhaled, massaged into the body or used as a topical application and it has been claimed that it can be used to treat cancer, dementia and post operative nausea among other ailments.

There is evidence that aromatherapy can improve a patient's mood but there is no proof that the practice can assist in pain management of the curing of disease.

Concerns have been raised in many countries due to the fact that essential oils can cause skin irritation as well as many of them being toxic to humans, as well as having negative interactions when used alongside conventional medicine.

Answer: Crystal healing

Followers of crystal healing believe that semiprecious stones such as quartz, amethyst or opals can transform a body's aura as well as preventing bad energy and releasing blocked energy from the human body.

Crystals are often placed on the body by practitioners, to create an energy grid, which surrounds the patient with healing energy, although there is no scientific basis for this at all. Many of the crystals used in crystal healing come from countries such as Brazil, Madagascar and India, with children often used to mine the crystals due to the cramped confines of the mines, with the US Department of Labor and the International Labour Organization estimating that about 85,000 children work in Madagascar's mines.