Alternative medical practices: analysis of positive attitudes towards non-conventional treatment in Lithuania as part of everyday culture

ENThe paper discusses the significance of alternative medical practices in Lithuania as part of everyday culture ("life" philosophy, cultural attitudes, individual values) of those interested in non-conventional treatment. The paper analyzes reasons of using and believing in alternative medicine, and worldviews concerning the preconditions of health held by individuals involved and/or interested in alternative healing. The paper reveals what meanings are given to alternative healing and tries to search for reasons why alternative medicine is appreciated, and how alternative medical treatment is understood in relation to the conventional medicine. The paper is based on the author's research conducted in 2015-2017 (still continuing). Anthropological (qualitative) research methods to collect empirical research data were used: observations, participant observations, in-depth interviews, non-formal discussions, filling research diary notes, collecting visual data. Up to date, ten m-depth interviews with representatives of alternative medicine have been collected. The analysis of alternative medical practices in Lithuania allowed to detect that the main reasons for turning to alternative medicine methods are the following: disappointment with the coiwentional medicine, dissatisfying relations and communication with medical doctors, experienced forms of disrespect, and similar. Research results revealed that possible reasons of positive attitudes towards alternative medicine are usually caused by the wish to look deeper into the process of treatment/healing, surplus of medical drug prescriptions, the commercial aspect of conventional medicine.