ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE - DOES IT PLAY A ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VOICEDISORDERS

Alternative medicine has begun to receive the attention of the legitim ate medical community. Recent evidence reveals that 34% of American ad ults interviewed reported using at least one unconventional therapy du ring 1994. A 3-month survey of patient inquiries, conducted at The Voi ce Center, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA, U.S.A. revealed that 41% of patients made inquiries about the potential use of ''unconventional approaches'' in the management of their voice disorders. Alternative medicine, while largely unproven for efficacy, represents a rapidly gr owing approach. The present article defines several alternative medica l practices, describes their theories and potential impact on the mana gement of voice disorders, and calls for empirical studies to follow. The alternative practices discussed are limited to behavioral therapie s such as massage therapy, creative visualization, Alexander, mindfuln ess, and meditation.