Paltrow therapy alarms doctors

Thursday November 12th, 2009

A therapy which substitutes heated cups for acupuncture needles tops a list of unproven treatment fads compiled by British doctors.

The therapy, "cupping", is advocated by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, named by women as the most influential celebrity on health matters.

According to two surveys, it is the worst example of the way celebrities influence women to seek untried treatments.

As many as 93 per cent of GPs believe celebrity endorsements of therapies put the public at risk.

Some 200 GPs and 1,000 women were surveyed for insurance company Aviva.

Also on the list are colonic irrigation, food intolerance testing, detoxing, vitamin B12 injections, extreme yoga, aromatherapy and reflexology.

A night in a health farm and macrobiotic diets also feature. The average cost of a course of one of the treatments is estimated to be ?800.

Women surveyed by pollsters Redshift confirmed that Gwyneth Paltrow has the most admired celebrity "health style".

She is followed by Cheryl Cole, Madonna and Holly Willoughby.

As many as 94 per cent of women believed celebrities pay for the "very best and most effective" treatments. And 32 per cent said they would try something endorsed by a celebrity - while 70 per cent said they would use alternative treatments rather than visit a doctor.

Dr Douglas Wright, a clinical consultant with the company, said: "Too many women are wasting money following health fads that have little effect, just because it's expensive, or rumoured to be a celebrity favourite, is not an automatic guarantee that a treatment will work.

"What's more worrying is that some women are opting for treatment trends rather than seeking medical advice, they might not be fashionable but tried and tested health routes are far safer and more beneficial."

Tags: Alternative Therapy | General Health | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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