Alternative Medicine or CAM

What is alternative medicine?

• NCCAM defines CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally

considered part of

conventional medicine.

CAM

• Complementary Medicine is used together with conventional (Western) medicine

• Alternative medicine is

used INSTEAD of

conventional medicine.

What is alternative medicine?

• Recognizes a relation between– food one eats– one's lifestyle – one's surrounding

• Holistic method

Types of CAM?

• Natural Products• Mind and Body Medicine• Manipulative and Body based practices• Movement Therapies• Energy Therapies• Whole Medical Systems

Complementary Medicine/Alternative Medicine

NATURAL PRODUCTS• This area of CAM includes use of a variety of herbal

medicines (also known as botanicals), vitamins, minerals, and other "natural products." Many are sold over the counter as dietary supplements.

Complementary Medicine/Alternative Medicine

Mind-body medicine • This type of CAM focuses on the interactions among the

brain, mind, body, and behavior, with the intent to use the mind to affect physical functioning and promote health.

• Techniques:– Visual imagery– Meditation– Yoga– Acupuncture

Complementary Medicine/Alternative Medicine

Manipulative and Body Body Bases Practices• Manipulative and body-based practices focus primarily on

the structures and systems of the body, including the bones and joints, soft tissues, and circulatory and lymphatic systems.

• Techniques– Spinal Manipulation– Massage Therapy

Complementary Medicine/Alternative Medicine

Movement Therapy• A broad range of Eastern and Western

movement-based approaches used to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

• Techniques:– Plilates– Alexander Technique– Feldenkrais Method

Complementary Medicine/Alternative Medicine

• Energy medicine deals with energy fields of two types:– Veritable, which can be

measured – Putative, which have

yet to be measured

Techniques:– Magnet Therapy– Light Therapy– Reiki

Types of Alternative medicine?

Medical Systems• Complete systems of theory and practice that have evolved

over time in different cultures and apart from conventional or Western medicine

• Systems:– Ayurvedic medicine– Traditional Chinese medicine– Homeopathy– Naturopathy