Complementary Therapies not available on the NHS

[yneseutsidpiyrenu]

Hello All at HP,

I think it's outrageous that these therapies are not allowed on the NHS, I know it's because many say there is no scientfic proof that they work and also there is the issue of the money to be made by the pharmaceutical industry but like many I have worked all my life and paid into the system and it is upsetting to be told "you can have pills/pain killers or nothing".

I had to pay to see a Chiropractor yesterday and now every week for goodness knows how long because all that has been on offer for the last 20 years since the problem began is anti inflamatory pills.

I can't help but wonder if a third reason for them not being allowed on the NHS is so people can be kept in check so to speak, the powers that be don't want people knowing what is best for them like in my case crystal healing and EFT work for me as opposed to pills and potions. I phoned my useless quack yesterday to ask if I could be sent for Chiro on the NHS and she was so speechless I had to ask her if she was still on the line when she eventually did speak she spoke to me as though she was shocked and appalled that I could even ask such a thing.

Love

Rebecca x

 

[Emma?]

Although this is a problem, some therapies really don't have any scientific evidence (underlined as I have had people try to quote testiminials to me in place of scientific research when I have made this point before, which is pointless) to back them up.

The problem is, even those that do have a wealth of scientific evidence to back them up, and are at least partially recognised by the NHS, have other blocks in there way. I have a NHS Provider Number and several GPs who refer clients to me privately as the NHS excuse is "sorry the local PCT does not have budget for hypnotherapy". This is completely ridiculous when I have the paperwork in place and GPs who recognise the value of hypnotherapy so much so that they are recommending it over and above the alternatives that are available on the NHS.

I'll leave it there, I could write a post on this subject that is longer than anyone would ever bother to read, quoting scientific evidence for hypnotherapy vs the £millions of tax payers money the government/NHS waste on therapies and drugs that are proven to be less effective.

 

[hahahhha]

There is much clinical evidence to support the use of a whole range of complementary therapies- unfortunately, the NHS chooses to disregard it- unless it suits them (and occasionally it does).
A GP can choose to fund other treatments within his practice but it is a rare one that does,in my experience. It's a shame that doctors feel that all money must be allocated to other areas of medical treatment- I wish they could be more open minded, after all, much conventional medicine isn't effective, so why they should be critical of alternatives, I don't know.
I think the general public should have a wider choice, and this can be seen in some other countries- but then they don't have a 'free' NHS service, as we do- they pay for their treatment in a more conscious way, (insurance etc) and their view of ill health is completely different.
I'm not hopeful for the future, I'm afraid. All I can say is, as therapists or patients, we cannot value our health enough, even if we have to pay a lot for it. Hom