More giving alternative treatments a try

Extensive media coverage and sometimes exaggerated claims by practitioners can create high expectations among people eager to improve their health or looks. The Jakarta Post spoke to people who have had acupuncture; their experiences were mixed.

Most complained that the effects did not last as long as they expected or that there was no effect at all.

Others who have a strong interest in alternative medicine said that acupuncture took longer to get results than other treatments and some were ecstatic about how well the therapy worked.

Elsa, a 35-year-old project officer at an international organization, started to get acupuncture six years ago to lose weight.

"I was not that convinced but I had a short treatment for vertigo as well and that worked straight away so I decided to give the weight loss a try. After about two weeks getting acupuncture and taking herbal medicine I lost 2.3 kilos," she said.

But once she stopped taking the medicine and having the treatment Elsa regained the lost weight.

"I was not that satisfied as I've also tried reflexology and had the same results without taking medicine."

Her friend Yanti also had the treatment but felt sick from the medicine.

"The acupuncture did not hurt or anything, but I kept feeling sick and I did not know what was in the pills he was giving us," said the 32-year-old housewife.

"I stopped but then when I saw my friend was losing weight I decided to give it a try again, but then I gained a kilo!"

Yanti said that she had decided to eat healthy food rather that go back to the acupuncturist.

Another women trying to lose weight said she combined the acupuncture with sports and was happy with the results.

Dessy, a 31-year-old who works at a cultural institute, began to lose weight after four weeks.

"I keep recommending it to all my friends now! I also had problems with migraines and sinusitis and the acupuncture totally cured me," she said enthusiastically.

Marta, a 29-year-old diplomat, went to an acupuncturist when her two-month-old baby was crying more than she thought was normal. Although she admitted to being skeptical about the therapy she was willing to try anything to help her daughter. The results were disappointing and she found it very disagreeable.

"The acupuncturist said that I was too hot and told me not to drink any tea or coffee and only eat plain rice. Then he put a needle in my ear. It was awful!" she said.

"I didn't help at all."

Although she felt strongly that it could work, Diena was disappointed when she went over 10 times to an acupuncturist who claimed he could help her overcome health problems that were preventing her from becoming pregnant.

"I was shocked when I found out that the pills he was giving me to accompany the treatment were the same one he gave to my friend who was being treated to lose weight," said the 44-year- old business consultant.

She continued to try other alternative therapies and said that treatments such as reiki had produced much better results.

-- David Kennedy