The foundations of the health sciences need to be re-conceptualized. The mechanistic biomedical model seemingly so successful in the past is now criticized for its failure to explain what health is and how it can be maintained. The world's major health problems no longer seem to be under control. "Towards a New Science of Health" presents a radical alternative to current biomedical thinking.
This unique and controversial book is the first to offer serious practical ideas for the renewal of the health sciences. It provides both a radical spirit of inquiry which draws on a broad knowledge base and a variety of approaches, and a science which will build on innovative research. Presenting an overview of all major paradigms in the health sciences, their historical development, sociocultural background and value, the book provides a framework for innovative thinking in health. Drawing on a range of disciplinary perspectives and focusing on a variety of approaches systems theory, human experience, and biography, the healing process and social relations the authors aim to bridge the gap between personal experience and scientific knowledge.

Covering a wide range of popular alternative medicine and health issues, User's Guides are written by leading experts and science writers and are designed to answer the consumer's basic questions about disease, conventional and alternative therapies, and individual dietary supplements.

Complementary medicine has become so popular over the past few years that in the UK alone there are now more alternative practitioners than GP's. Extensively rewritten, expanded, and updated, to take account of this dramatic increase, this new edition is an authoritative and complete guide to alternative medicine in the UK and internationally. The result of extensive research, this handbook examines the developing social position of aternative medicine, including legal, political, scientific, educational, and demographic aspects, and considers why people choose complimentary therapies, how many do so, and what happens during and after their treatment. For each therapy, there is a concise review of the theoretical, practical, and research aspects, written in collaboration with a leading practitioner. The book also includes an invaluable resource guide, covering all the significant colleges, professional bodies, and societies in this area of medicine (over 250 organizations), as well as an extensive glossary and bibliography. Charting the growing level of interest among medical professionals and the general public, the coverage of research has been expanded in this third edition, and