Introduction
The reliability of the sources used in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an essential component of its overall success. It entails checking to see that the information in question is up to date and supported by facts (Balneaves et al., 2018). Acupuncture is one of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that is thought to be effective in the management of certain health conditions. However, the success of acupuncture is dependent on the optimistic attitude and firm beliefs held by patients who seek its services.
Consumer’s Attitudes and Beliefs about CAM
There are various ways in which consumer’s attitudes and beliefs affect the assessment of the reliability and credibility of the CAM. Firstly, when an individual has a positive attitude towards CAM, there will be no need to determine whether the process is reliable and credible. Secondly, previous experience with CAM builds trust in the system, which reduces the possibility of assessing the credibility of the system. For instance, when people have a positive experience with acupuncture, they are less likely to doubt its effectiveness. Thirdly, the performance of CAM relies on the consumer’s belief in the system (Brewer et al., 2019).
The Five Objective Criteria
There are five objective criteria that can be used to evaluate the credibility and reliability of a source of information on CAM. Firstly, it is important to determine whether the information is based on facts or opinions (Balneaves et al., 2018). There must be evidence to support the credibility of the data. Secondly, reliable and credible information must be current and up to date. Thirdly, the person running the CAM must have credentials that are linked to health. Fourthly, it is integral to check whether the CAM is managed by an individual or a group of people. Finally, the other criterion is to determine if the CAM has a professional website or not.
The five criteria play an integral role in the assessment of the source of information about CAM. Firstly, I researched the relationship between facts and the credibility of CAM. For a CAM’s information source to be reliable, it must be based on facts. Secondly, I examined the role of a founder on the credibility of CAM. When the credentials of the founder are connected to the subject, it is thought to be accurate. Thirdly, I investigated the link between current information and credibility. Having up-to-date information shows that you can be trusted. Fourthly, I examined the relationship between a source of information and an individual. Data is considered credible when it comes from professionals. Fifthly, a website is considered an important source of CAM information (Balneaves et al., 2018).
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin, solid, metallic needles into the skin, which are subsequently stimulated either by the delicate and particular movements of the practitioner’s hands or by electrical stimulation. It is a component of the traditional medical practices that date back centuries in China. It is widely believed that acupuncture can activate the body’s central nervous system (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Acupuncture may be beneficial for a variety of illnesses, including those related to the digestive tract, the nervous system, the eye-ear-throat region, and the respiratory system.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles into certain points on your body to varying depths at specific locations. During the process of needle manipulation, a practitioner could manipulate or twirl the needles after they have been placed, apply heat to the needles, or give the needles small electrical pulses (Mayo Clinic, 2022). The majority of the time, the needles will stay in place for ten to fifteen minutes while patients lie flat and focus on their breathing. When the needles are withdrawn, the removal process typically does not cause any discomfort. After receiving acupuncture, some patients report feeling more relaxed, while others report feeling more invigorated.
A Review of Acupuncture Website
Acupuncture.com is a website that is dedicated to providing users with information regarding acupuncture. It offers details regarding various aspects of health. It promotes the health benefits of acupuncture to the general public. Take, for instance, the statement “Visit Tao of Wellness: Awarded Best of the Best Acupuncture Clinic on the Dr. Oz Show.” (Acupuncture, n.d). It directs the consumers where they are able to get professional help for their health problems. In addition, the website features the opinions of qualified individuals to enhance its credibility.
How the Website Meets the Five Criteria
The acupuncture website is credible and reliable because it meets the five criteria. Firstly, the information presented on the website is backed up by scholarly sources like books and testimonies from industry professionals. Secondly, on the website, there are no details about the person who started the company. Thirdly, the website contains information that is current. Fourthly, people who work in healthcare, such as doctors, are the ones responsible for maintaining the information on the website. Fifth, the website contains pertinent images, and both the text and visuals are easy to understand and free of grammatical errors.
The Steps to Increase the Credibility of a Website
There are steps that can be used to increase the credibility of the website. The first step is to make sure that the website is secure by using the https security protocol. People are likely to visit websites that are deemed to be safe. The second step is to show that there is an actual organization behind the website. This involves making sure that the people engaged are professionals. The third step is using high-quality content supported by expert opinion and related to the subject matter. The fourth step is to ensure that people can easily contact the owner of the website.
Conclusion
The credibility and reliability of the information contained within CAM are essential to its success as a treatment modality. There is a correlation between the content of the website and the success of acupuncture, as well as the people or organization that is behind the website. For instance, a website for acupuncture becomes trustworthy when it is professionally designed and meets all of the requirements for an efficient website. Nonetheless, it has been discovered that the credibility of information is dependent on previous experiences that build a positive attitude. This is the case.