Alternative Medicine: The Evidence on BBC2

Alternative Medicine: The Evidence is a new weekly series on BBC2 television,(Tuesdays 9pm) which examines the efficacy of complementary therapies. Presenter Kathy Sykes investigates why science is starting to respond to these centuries-old remedies, starting in the first programme with Acupuncture. The approach starts as sceptical, but uses the scientific method to come to some intriguing conclusions. A team of scientists was recruited to conduct a placebo controlled trial examining whether brain scans could cast any light on what is going on in acupuncture (and it seems a lot is going on, which would explain the use of acupuncture as anaesthetic and for pain relief). Next week Sykes looks at spiritual healing, and in programme 3, she looks at Herbalism. Set the VCR!

More info at the accompanying BBC Website.