Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, is gaining attention throughout our country. CAM is a group of various medical practices and products that are not currently considered to be part of conventional medicine.
There are many different types of CAM that include 5 broad areas:
- Alternative medicine systems (acupuncture)
- Mind-body therapy (hypnosis and biofeedback)
- Biological (herbs and vitamins)
- Manual medicine (massage and chiropractic)
- Energy medicine (hands-on-healing and magnetic therapies)
More research has been done in CAM therapies over the last 10 years. Some therapies have been shown to be useful for some medical conditions. But for the most part, questions about effectiveness and safety of CAM therapies are unanswered.
Studies have shown that about 2 out of every 5 adults are using some form of CAM. There are more visits to CAM practitioners every year than there are to primary care doctors. Americans are using CAM as a significant option for their health and wellness. The most common CAM visits are for massage therapy, chiropractic, biofeedback, hypnosis, and acupuncture. Since some CAM therapies can interact or influence conventional medical therapies, it is important for patients to inform their health care providers about their CAM therapies.
A relatively new approach in conventional medicine is to incorporate some aspects of CAM into medical care, called integrative medicine. Integrative medicine also includes a holistic approach to the patient, and a focus on preventive care through life-style changes such as diet, exercise, and stress reduction. More medical schools are including aspects of integrative medicine in their training, and increasing numbers of doctors are learning more about this area. This will make it easier for patients to receive guidance when selecting which CAM therapies might be best for them. Not every CAM therapy is right for every patient.
