Alternative Medicine - Complete Series

Synopsis

A 3-part BBC series produced in conjunction with The Open University following Professor Kathy Sykes on her quest to find out why science is starting to respond to the centuries-old phenomenon of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, particularly acupuncture, herbalism and healing

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2006

Year of production

2006

Availability

Out of distribution

Notes

Broadcast in three weekly parts on BBC2 beginning 24/1/2006

Subjects

Medical sciences

Keywords

alternative medicine; Chinese medicine

Credits

Contributor

Kathy Sykes

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£15.00

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

180 minutes

Year

2011

Sections

Title

Acupuncture

Synopsis

Begins by showing successful acupuncture in China including a scene in which doctors perform open heart surgery on a young woman using acupuncture instead of a general anaesthetic. In China, acupuncture is used alongside western medicine and, at times, instead of it. The programme studies the reaction of western science to these claims and introduces key scientists in the UK and the US who have put them to the test. For most conditions and illnesses, acupuncture cannot be shown to work but scientists have found a number of conditions relating to chronic pain in which they can be fairly certain acupuncture is having a powerful effect. A team of top scientists and acupuncturists explore how this is possible. Over several months, they devise a series of tests, from which they hope to find some answers and finally uncover the secrets of acupuncture. Their conclusions challenge current understanding of the workings of the brain and throw new light on this ancient practice.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Herbalism

Synopsis

This programme investigates the ancient practice of herbalism. Herbs have potent healing powers but some of them may also provide answers to medical conditions that continue to baffle modern science. The programme examines the distinct herbal traditions of a number of countries including South Africa, Germany and Britain. Each has their own particular plants and unique practices. But one claim underlies them all - herbs have remarkable properties that make them powerful medicines.
In South Africa, a herb is being hailed as a new weapon in the fight against HIV/Aids and patients and their carers claim it is saving lives. What is the secret of herbs? Scientists explain that plants contain much more than a single active ingredient sometimes even more than two or three. They are enormously complex chemical cocktails with medicinal properties that modern pharmaceuticals simply cannot reproduce.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Healing

Synopsis

Although there is no evidence that healers have any special powers, their patients do sometimes appear to recover. It is a mystery that can only be finally solved when we discover that each of us has a powerful self-healing mechanism that some people have found a way to manipulate. The programme explores this extraordinary human capacity and the key to triggering it. It begins in the UK at a rally given by spiritual healer Benny Hinn. Here are dozens of people who claim to have been cured of a range of conditions from back pain to cancer. Other healers describe their methods and powers, and doctors say they are so impressed they have even invited healers into their surgeries and hospitals. In the United States, a knee surgeon tells of an amazing discovery he has made. In an experiment, he gave a group of his patients a fake operation. He opened them up but instead of carrying out the usual procedure, simply sewed them back up again having done nothing at all. Incredibly, this group of patients did as well as those who had the real procedure. So, could the power of the mind explain the benefits people experience from healers? And have healers learned how to stimulate this power in each of us? The conclusion throws new light on all healing processes, and has a surprising and inspirational message for every practitioner and patient.

Duration

60 mins

Production Company

Name

Open University Production Centre

Distributor

Name

Canny Store

Web

https://cannystore.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

01789 207440

Address

The Mansley Centre
Timothy’s Bridge Road
Stratford upon Avon
CV37 9NQ

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk