Letter: Alternative medicine

Sir: I practise Shiatsu, one of the therapies for which, as Professor Ernst rightly points out, virtually no clinical trials have been carried out, and I entirely agree with his call for rigorous research.

In the meantime, how can I ensure that my clients are getting value for money? First, I ask them some detailed questions about their health problem and how it affects them. Second, I ask how they would know if their problem was to improve. Third, I check carefully session by session that it is improving. Fourth, if it isn't improving in any way, I will happily give them their money back. Fair enough?

NICHOLAS POLE

London NW8