I have just completed an acupuncture course and was wondering about the halakhic opinions on acupuncture and alternative medicine.
Before any halakhic answer can be given, it is necessary to know the facts and details of the case in question.
Regarding acupuncture, there is no halakhic problem with its use if it will alleviate the problem. However, if there is no evidence that the treatment will help or if there is a doubt of its effectiveness, it is only permissible to use if it will not cause any damage or if it will not prevent the patient from receiving essential (proven) treatment.
This principle is also applicable to alternative medicine. An article on this subject has been written by Rabbi Shlomo Aviner in Assia 45-46, pp. 62-8, and is written in Hebrew. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please let me know and I will send it to you via post.
האם התרופה הטבעית ברזל עדיף של חברת הדס כשרה לפסח? כתוב עליה שהיא אינה מכילה קמח וחיטה. אני צריכה לקחת אותה כדי להעלות את הברזל
אני עובדת כאחות , ומחפשת חומר על עבודת יהודי במקצועות הרפואה כעדיפה על פני עבודת נוכרי , ניתן להשליך ממקומות אחרים. הרקע לכך הוא שהיום