The use of complementary and alternative medicine CAM has grown at a phenomenal rate in Catalunya over the last 20 years and the practice continues to gain medical, economic and sociological importance.
However, what is also on the increase is the controversy over their use, regarding both efficacy and regulation. In alternative medicine, an illness can mean a breakdown of physical and mental wellbeing. A return to natural health methods has seen a rise in people seeking nutritional advice, practising yoga and using massage.
Chinese herbal medicines are commonly used as dietary supplements whilst homeopathic remedies are increasingly used to treat the likes of insomnia or stress. Zoe Holden, who practices homeopathy in Barcelona says many people are choosing alternative therapies over conventional medicine in order to treat the cause of their illness. The study also found that women are more likely to use alternative therapies than men, especially within the age bracket, and that it is most popular among people financially better off.
Currently the Catalan CAM industry finds its status clouded in uncertainty resulting in growing pressure from certain quarters to increase regulation within the industry. The situation is further complicated by some practices such as acupuncture, naturopathy and osteopathy being regulated here by the Instituto de Estudios de la Salud de Catalunya , whilst other practices are not. It also prevented doctors from using methods that have not been scientifically proven to treat a patient.
Move forward 10 years and, after pressure from a number of CAM practitioners, the Generalitat introduced a pioneering bill aimed at regulating the sector, only for it to be stopped in its tracks by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Catalunya TSJC two years later. Their main objection is that to regulate the alternative medicine industry means medicines and treatments need to have been scientifically validated and that in itself is a problem.
