Versicherungsmedizin. 1998 Aug; 50(4): 149-53.

[Are so-called alternative therapeutic procedures in pain treatment the solution?]

Ostendorf GM.

R + V Lebensversicherung AG, Wiesbaden.

So-called alternative methods are surely not the solution for the therapy of chronic pain. Although those methods may often produce a marked placebo effect, it must be pointed out that so far there has not been any proof of a specific effect. At some methods, especially acupuncture, a therapeutic effect seems possible. Further carefully planned clinical studies are necessary. Finally the therapy with such unproofed methods often causes high costs that contrast to the effectivity.