Alternative medicine: does it play a role in the management of voice disorders?

Alternative medicine has begun to receive the attention of the legitimate medical community. Recent evidence reveals that 34% of American adults interviewed reported using at least one unconventional therapy during 1994. A 3-month survey of patient inquiries, conducted at The Voice 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 growing approach. The present article defines several alternative medical practices, describes their theories and potential impact on the management of voice disorders, and calls for empirical studies to follow. The alternative practices discussed are limited to behavioral therapies such as massage therapy, creative visualization, Alexander, mindfulness, and mediatation.