Understanding the Complexities of Complementary Alternative Medicine

Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is a collection of varied medical and health care practices, systems and products that are not part of what is referred to as conventional or traditional medicine. The latter is the kind that is practiced by a typical M.D. or doctor of medicine along with D.O. or doctor of osteopathic medicine, physical therapist, psychologist and registered nurses. There is no absolute boundary between the two (CAM and Western Medicine). This and the facts that CAM is very broad and constantly changing make it very hard to define.

The most basic characteristic of CAM is the use of any alternative medicine in combination or as a supplement to conventional medicine. Generally, CAM can be conveniently grouped into wide-ranging categories such as: natural products, mind and body medicine and manipulative and body-based practices. This categorization is just useful for the purpose of discussion but a high degree of diversity exists in each category.

Use of Natural Products

The use of herbs or botanicals can be traced as far back as the prehistoric times when man simply drew directly from nature and environment everything that he needed. The use and learning grew in time to become a body of knowledge that has been transmitted from generation to generation. The proofs of effectiveness were positive personal experiences as well as anecdotal evidences. Despite the rise of Western medicine, many people continued to use herbal medicines. The resurgence of man’s intense desire to go back to basic through alternative medicine and foods in this generation have pushed the use of natural ingredients to the forefront.

Today, these ingredients are being processed into pills and capsules and registered as supplements in U.S. FDA. This is now a multi-billion industry with a market worldwide. As supplements, these products are not claiming any therapeutic benefits and are not required to make clinical trials. Much of the marketing, however, is anchored on therapeutic claims using people who are 'supposed' to have used the products. These are called as 'anecdotal' evidences.

Mind-Body Medicine

These are practices and techniques that focus on mind to effect restoration of normal functioning of the physical body. There are many complementary alternative medicine modalities that embody this philosophy. The most popular examples are meditation that is a part of many Eastern alternative cares like yoga, Ayurveda, tai chi, gi gong, and acupuncture and acupressure. This is the same philosophy that underlies hypnotic therapy, guided imagery and progressive relaxation.

There are many different ways to undertake meditation. It can be attained by chanting or by focusing on an object, music, breathing exercises or body position. Whatever method is used, the goal is to clear the mind of thoughts and to relax the body. In yoga, this is achieved through various yoga poses and pranayama or breathing exercises. The body poses improve flexibility, strength and addresses many health conditions. In general, meditation is expected to foster calmness and relaxation to improve mental balance to be able to cope with illness as well as enhance the immune system and overall health.

Manipulative Body-based Therapies

These constitute practices and therapies that focus primarily on the body structures and systems such as muscles, bones and joints, circulation and lymphatic drainage. The most popular modalities under this category are chiropractics and massage therapy.

Chiropractic therapy is a type of spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation requires the professional administration of health care professionals such as chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, physical therapists, naturopathic physicians, and trained medical doctors. The therapy is delivered using controlled force by hands or by a device with a goal to improve the functions and to ease pain. Massage therapy is an age old practice in many Eastern cultures and thus encompass many different techniques. The most typical techniques include pressing, rubbing, applying pressure and other process with the end result of manipulating the muscles and other soft tissues. The health-related goals are: to relieve pain, reduce stress, foster relaxation, ease depression and anxiety, and rehabilitate injuries caused by traumatic accidents, stroke and sports.

Complementary alternative medicine has also evolved to become complete systems both in theory and in practice. This is the principal essence of the merging of Western medicine and any or several alternative practices in the so called homeopathy and naturopathy. This is the same philosophy that underlies Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese Medicine.

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