Ielts model Essays Kindle

Body 1 = the disadvantages of alternative medicine
Body 2 = the advantages of alternative medicine
It is then a good balanced conclusion as the writer states that they are best
used together.
Model Answer
Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine.
However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be
dangerous.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?

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Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional
medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. I am
unconvinced that it is dangerous, and feel that both alternative and
conventional medicine can be useful.
There are several reasons why the conventional medical community is often
dismissive of alternatives. Firstly, there has been little scientific research
into such medicine, so there is a scarcity of evidence to support the claims of
their supporters. Furthermore, people often try such treatment because of
recommendations from friends, and therefore come to the therapist with a
very positive attitude, which may be part of the reason for the cure.
Moreover, these therapies are usually only useful for long-term, chronic
conditions. Acute medical problems, such as accidental injury, often require
more conventional methods.
On the other hand, there remain strong arguments for the use of alternatives. 
Despite the lack of scientific proof, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to
suggest that these therapies work. In addition, far from being dangerous,
they often have few or no side effects, so the worst outcome would be no
change. One of the strongest arguments for the effectiveness of alternative
therapies in the West is that, whilst conventional medicine is available
without charge, many people are prepared to pay considerable sums for
alternatives. If they were totally unhelpful, it would be surprising if this
continued.
I strongly believe that conventional medicine and alternative therapies can
and should coexist. They have different strengths, and can both be used
effectively to target particular medical problems. The best situation would be
for alternative therapies to be used to support and complement conventional
medicine.
(280 words)