The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

ASCIA Media Release - 24 January 2005

NEW ASCIA Position Statement: Unorthodox Techniques for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergy and Asthma

How often do we hear about "a new cure for allergies or asthma?" Or that a whole range of disorders unrelated to allergy can be "cured" using the same "natural" method?

To help distinguish between heavily promoted (but unproven) unorthodox so-called allergy tests and treatments from those known to be reliable and safe, an ASCIA Position Statement 'Unorthodox techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of allergy and asthma' has been published on the ASCIA website http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/262/1/.   

This position paper examines several unorthodox techniques that claim to be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of allergy, asthma and immune disorders. These include:

Unorthodox testing:

Cytotoxic testing (Bryans' test), Oral provocation and neutralization, Vega testing (electrodermal testing), Kinesiology, Radionics (psionic medicine, dowsing), Iridology, Pulse testing, Hair analysis , Tests for "dysbiosis".

Unorthodox treatments:

Homoeopathy, Acupuncture, Reflexology (zone therapy), Autogenous urine therapy, Physical Therapies (Chiropractic therapy, Osteopathy, Cranial therapy), Allergy elimination techniques (also known as "Advanced Allergy Elimination", "Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination"), Vega MRT (Matrix Regeneration Therapy).

The irony is that whilst many patients seek these tests and treatments from alternative and complementary medicine practitioners, adverse consequences may arise from relying on their results.

Treatment based on inaccurate, false positive or clinically irrelevant results is not only misleading, but can lead to ineffective and at times expensive treatments, and delay more effective therapy. Occasionally, harm may result, such as from unnecessary dietary restrictions, particularly important in growing children.

Furthermore, claims of being able to "cure" food allergies have potentially dangerous consequences for those with true life-threatening reactions.

Whilst there are currently no "cures" for allergy, asthma and immune diseases, accurate and scientifically validated tests and effective treatments are available, enabling most people with allergies and asthma to lead normal, active lives.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Associate Professor Ray Mullins Phone: 02 6282 2689

WEBSITE REFERENCES:

http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/262/1/
http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/102/115/
http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/218/1/
http://www.mja.com.au/public/guides/vega/vega.html
http://www.quackwatch.org/index.html
http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/naet.html

ASCIA MEDIA AWARDS 2004/2005 entry deadline: 30 June 2005

The ASCIA media awards have been developed to recognise outstanding medical/health reporting on allergic diseases (including asthma) and immune diseases in Australia and New Zealand. To be eligible for these awards, you must be a journalist working in Australia or New Zealand, reporting to either the public and/or health professionals. Medical practitioners or other health professionals are not eligible for these awards unless they are working as full time journalists. For further information and an entry form visit the ASCIA website: http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/17/264/