oh my gosh, what a debate! Westrn medicine is supposedly the epitome of illness and sickness/ health management and it certainly is wonderful! But it doesn't mean that all others are rubbish or ineffective. Using alternative medicine, supplements, therapies, massages etc has many effects like does western medication. Unless you endanger yourself or others, using any alternastive therapies and finding relief is wonderful. I suffer occasionally with migraine type headaches and at work we have a lady who is a bodybalancing therapist and reiki healer. Twice she has rescued me from an impending explosive headache. First by reiki, and it cannot be said that the effect was in my mind because I had no idea what she was doing. All she did was take me to one side and stand behind me and this warmth just flowed in my neck and upper back and melted the auras away. Second time I was scrubbed for a case and unable to leave to take ibuprofen when the auras came. She then did tapping techniques and again all auras disappeared and the headache didn't appear. I am still sceptic with many things but will not diss them. If something works for one person, it is worth carrying on for in my mind (not risking their health etc.). It is people's prerogative to choose what to do or what treatments to use regardless of its usefulness or side effects, isn't it? Fair enough, many people may be mis informed or ignorant of diabetic complications but then who can we blame for that? Healthcare professionals? Patients themselves? Internet? After all nowadays there is so much info on the net and in journals and books that it can be overwhelming. It certainly has been for me with a recent diagnosis, and I am a nurse myself and very aware of current practices and innovations You may not approve or believe in alternative therapies but like said, many modern medications have been discovered via these ancient treatments and traditions. My rant over...