Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

What is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative medicine practices are used instead of standard medical treatments. Alternative medicine is distinct from Complementary medicine which is meant to accompany, not to replace, standard medical practices. Alternative medical practices are generally not recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches. Alternative medicine includes dietary supplements, mega-dose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, and spiritual healing.

What are Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies?

Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies fall into 5 major categories, or domains:

1. Alternative Medical Systems

Are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems developed in Western cultures include- Homeopathic, and Naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in Non-Western cultures include Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiji Chuan, Kung Fu(Internal and External Martial Arts such as Wing Chun/Pak Mei/Hung Gar/Yi Quan/Ba Gua/Hsing--I/Praying Mantis/Hop Gar/Shaolin Boxing, Yoga and Ayurveda

2.Mind-Body Interventions

Uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were consider CAM in the past have become mainstream- (patient support groups and cognitive- behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still consider CAM, including Meditation, Prayer, Mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.

3. Biologically Based Therapies

4.Manipulative and Body-Based Methods

5.Energy Therapies

2-Types  1- Bio-field Therapies are Qi Gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.

                2- Bio-electromagnetic -based therapies are unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct-current fields.

 

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