Addresses the reasons and ramifications of the utilization of alternative and complementary medicine. This book serves as a primer for health professionals and students, as well as provides insights to those familiar with alternative health practices.

In this volume, an interdisciplinary team of scholars and social scientists address the reasons and ramifications of the increasing utilization of alternative and complementary medicine. The book provides a scholarly and theoretical discussion of salient issues within this new field. Topics discussed include: the changing medical market; place political and legal aspects of practice; influential cultural factors; clinical and educational issues; and much more. The many case examples and vignettes that appear throughout the text illustrate how alternative health care relates to everyday life. The book serves as a primer for an array of health professionals and students as well as provides new insights to those familiar with alternative health practices.