What Alternative Therapies to Avoid as an Older Adult

Alternative Therapies are Less Regulated and Require Additional Evaluation

Alternative therapies are typically used in conjunction with — or instead of — traditional medicine. They include things like vitamins and supplements, massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and more.

People often turn to alternative therapies to improve certain conditions or prevent disease. Other times, people seek them because conventional treatments prescribed by their doctors haven’t worked. Unlike traditional medicine, which requires regulated research practices and protocols to gain FDA approval, alternative therapies don’t require a prescription and are, for the most part, unregulated.

While alternative therapies can be useful, the lack of regulation makes it easy to fall prey to ineffective treatments, or worse, something harmful. We’ve detailed red flags to look for when evaluating a potential treatment.

Beware of Lofty Claims With Little Evidence Behind Them

It’s important to dive deep into the person or organization selling whatever treatment you’re considering.

Some practitioners of alternative therapy contend that the usual ways medical science proves or disproves the effectiveness of treatments does not apply to them. They argue that since their interventions are “non-western” or “non-traditional,” the ways western medicine evaluates evidence isn’t relevant (like using a randomized controlled trial, for example). This is absolutely untrue, and should be seen as a red flag. It’s usually intended to obfuscate evidence on the absence of data (or data showing lack of effectiveness) of the treatment being peddled.

Any therapy given to human beings should be proven as safe and effective by standard and accepted scientific methods applicable to any therapy anywhere on the planet. Assuming you’re working with a practitioner, ask them why they think their treatment is effective and where you can read more about it. If you’re dismissed, talked down to, or discouraged, it’s a sign to move on. Don’t fall for unscientific testimonials, defensive arguments about why data has been suppressed, or proclamations that the usual metrics for proof don’t apply to this particular treatment.

Other Red Flags

If you’re considering a particular alternative therapy, finding any of these warning signs should give you pause:

1. When the purveyors of such therapies have a treatment for everything: We’ve all seen alternative medicine practitioners who purport to have a remedy for everything. There are hundreds of “gurus” who claim to have a definitive answer — usually a natural or nutritional therapy — that is “proven to work” but is unknown to doctors. Be skeptical of this: Could it really be possible that there’s a treatment for every last affliction known to man, yet modern medicine missed it? No matter how far medical science advances, there will always be diseases that medicine cannot treat or cure. When someone tells you they can fix anything, run in the other direction.
2. When a “brand builder” is trying to get you to buy what they’re selling: When a treatment is being pushed by a self-promotional brand builder that is blitzing social media to sell their treatment, be wary. Plenty of responsible practitioners of alternative medicine quietly make their case with data and balanced arguments, and without the need for narcissistic, attention-seeking marketing materials. These types of sellers exploit patients who are desperate and vulnerable, searching for a cure.
3. When alternative treatments become an obsession to the point of complete exclusion of other therapies: When the pursuit of alternative therapies takes on a life of its own, to the complete exclusion of proven medical treatments that are genuinely needed (whether encouraged by the practitioner, adopted by the patient, or both), or when you’re spending an exorbitant amount of money on vitamins or supplements, it's likely time to take a step back.
4. ‍When a doctor is trying to sell you something besides medical knowledge and skill: When any medical provider, alternative or otherwise, starts selling you things in which they have a financial interest, you should pause and think about this arrangement. Unless the doctor has an excellent rationale for this particular treatment, it may make more sense to buy it from someone else where there is no conflict of interest. The American Medical Association has specifically stated that it is improper for physicians to sell non-prescription drugs or merchandise from their offices.

Alternative therapies can be a wonderful option to explore if you do your own research. But stay vigilant: the lack of regulation across the industry makes it easy to get scammed, and it’s critical to remain on guard to avoid being sold a product that is ineffective or, even worse, harmful.