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What
Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)? |
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Complementary and
alternative medicine is a group of diverse medical and health
care systems, practices, and products that are not presently
considered to be part of conventional medicine according to
the National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). |
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While the body of scientific evidence
continue to build regarding CAM therapies, for many there are key
questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed
scientific studies--questions such as whether these therapies
are safe and whether they work for the diseases or medical
conditions for which they are used.
The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually,
as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective
become adopted into conventional health care and as new
approaches to health care emerge.
Graphic
Source: NCCAM
http://nccam.nih.gov |
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How are
complementary medicine and alternative medicine used? |
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Complementary medicine is used together with conventional
medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using
aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following
surgery.
Alternative medicine is used in place of or "along side" conventional
medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a
special diet to treat cancer. Patients may use an
alternative approach simultaneously with conventional care,
sequentially (before or after) or instead of conventional
care. |
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Integrative medicine combines mainstream medical therapies and CAM
therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific
evidence of safety and effectiveness. |
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What are the
major types of complementary and alternative medicine? |
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CAM therapies an be grouped into five categories, or domains
recognizing that there can be some overlap among them.
1. Alternative Medical Systems
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
that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic
medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that
have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional
Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
2. Mind-Body Interventions
Mind-body interventions use a variety of techniques designed to
enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and
symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past
have become mainstream including patient support groups
and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Other mind-body techniques
are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer,
hypnosis, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art,
music or dance.
3. Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies use substances found in
nature. Examples
include dietary supplements in doses outside those used in
conventional medicine and herbal products.
4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods involve
manipulation or movement of one or more body parts.
Examples include chiropractic osteopathic
manipulation, and massage.
5. Energy Therapies
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of
two types:
Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that
purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The
existence of such fields has not been scientifically
proven. These forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by
applying pressure or manipulating the body by placing the
hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong,
Reiki and therapeutic touch.
Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional
use of electromagnetic fields. A common example is the wearing
of low level magnets in
bracelets. Research is being conducted using
powerful magnetic field manipulations with interesting results. |
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What is NCCAM's role in the field of CAM? |
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National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the Federal Government's lead agency for scientific
research on CAM. NCCAM, a center in the National Institutes
of Health, is dedicated to exploring complementary
and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous
science, training CAM researchers, and disseminating
authoritative information to the public and professionals.
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Source: NCCAM
http://nccam.nih.gov |
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