CAMComplementary and Alternative Medicine

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine?

First, we need to define the term “Conventional”:

Medicine that is practiced by those that hold a M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of osteopathic medicine). It also includes other allied health professionals such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses.

What is the difference?

Complementary

Refers to using a non-mainstream approach in addition to Conventional medicine.

Alternative Refers to using a non-mainstream approach instead of Conventional medicine.

Integrative Health Care

Non-mainstream healthcare approaches that include Complementary and Alternative medicine.

For example: a cancer treatment facility may incorporate acupuncture and meditation as part of the treatment plan.

Subgroups of Integrative Health Care

Natural Products

Herbs/Botanicals Such as Echinacea http://

nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm

Vitamins and Minerals For example fish oil/Omega 3’s

http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/

Probiotics Helpful bacteria http://

nccam.nih.gov/health/probiotics/introduction.htm

Mind and Body Practices

Biofeedback

Acupuncture

Massage therapy

Meditation

Relaxation techniques

Spinal Manipulation

Tai Chi and qi gong

Yoga

An Introduction to mind/body practices

Biofeedback▪ Uses electrical impulses

from the body to improve health

▪ Used to manage physical and mental health issues▪ Anxiety, Chronic pain,

Constipation, IBS, High Blood Pressure, etc.

▪ It’s noninvasive, reduces need for medications, teaches stress management, etc.

Acupuncture

Latin, 'acus' (needle) + 'punctura' (to puncture)

▪ The stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body using thin needles.

▪ Stimulating specific acupuncture points corrects imbalances in the flow of qi through channels known as meridians.

▪ Beneficial for treatment of pain, migraine, nausea, obesity, stroke, Tinnitus, etc.

For more information: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/definition/prc-20020778

Massage Therapy

▪ Technique used for thousands of years

▪ Over 80 different massage therapy styles

▪ Numerous health benefits▪ Heal injuries▪ Relief from symptoms▪ Help with certain health

conditionsFor more information go to: http://www.webmd.com/balance/massage-therapy-styles-and-health-benefits#1

References:

▪Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). Nutrition for Everyone: Vitamins and Minerals. Retrieved September 29, 2014 from http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/

▪ NCCAM (2014). Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved September 27, 2014 from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam