Complementary and alternative therapies do not typically have much scientific evidence backing their effectiveness, yet can still help people feel better.
Some forms of alternative medicine rely on natural substances, like plants and herbs, to treat illness; other approaches draw from spiritual principles, such as believing health is determined by energy forces in nature.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese Medicine and has been scientifically proven to reduce pain for chronic conditions such as low back pain, osteoarthritis (OA), migraine headaches and depression and anxiety. Acupuncture services can increasingly be found at chiropractic clinics, primary care settings, hospitals, pain clinics and physical therapy departments.
Many CAM therapies utilize natural substances found in plants, animals and minerals as treatments, which may be safer and gentler on human bodies than manufactured medicines. Holistic medicine refers to this form of practice; taking into account all aspects of one person rather than just symptoms or disease states.
Most forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have not been extensively investigated by scientists, so their risks and benefits remain poorly known. There are exceptions: yoga and meditation have both been well researched by scientists. Acupuncture has been scientifically shown to be an effective treatment for chronic pain management; its use has even been recommended by medical organizations such as the American College of Physicians.
Before engaging in complementary or alternative therapies, particularly if you have a serious health condition, always consult with your physician first. They can assess if any treatments are safe and whether they will interact with any medications prescribed to you; check if practitioners have proper training and qualifications; as well as help find practitioners that will work in partnership with traditional healthcare providers to ensure you get optimal care.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient system of spiritual practices and physical postures designed to align body, mind, and spirit for optimal health and well-being. Yoga encompasses an expansive philosophy and science which seeks to understand reality, universe, human beings and all their interrelations. Practice of yoga helps people attain Samadhi or bliss – not as part of any specific religion or sect; instead it teaches its practitioners they belong to one divine force along with trees, birds, stars and their own bodies.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that yoga can provide complementary medical treatment when used alongside traditional medical approaches like medications and surgery. Studies indicate how yoga, relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises may improve symptoms such as pain, fatigue, anxiety depression high blood pressure.
Concerns have been expressed that research on yoga is conducted only with a select population and may not apply to everyone. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals discuss any complementary therapies with their traditional healthcare provider so they can make well-informed choices.
Alternative therapy refers to any form of treatment not considered standard medicine, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, tai chi and the arrangement of objects in living spaces to achieve harmony (feng shui). Most people who utilize complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) do so because a friend or family member told them about them or they were recommended by their physician; some CAMs have proven beneficial while others have not; in general though these forms of treatments tend to be cheaper, less invasive and cause no harm compared with traditional treatments that would otherwise exist.
Meditation
Meditation is a mind-body practice that involves sitting quietly for several minutes or more and focusing on your breathing. You can do this either in a chair or on the floor; cross-legged is usually best. The goal is to focus on deep breathing while being aware of any thoughts or emotions that come up – when your attention wanders simply bring it back gently onto the breath. Meditation has its roots in ancient philosophies and world religions but doesn’t require being religious to practice it successfully.
Some forms of meditation have been shown to promote prosocial behaviors and feelings, enhance concentration, accelerate self-healing processes and boost mood – helping reduce depression and anxiety disorders in some instances. Furthermore, research suggests it could enhance quality of life while even slowing aging processes.
Meditation has also proven helpful in treating numerous other medical conditions and ailments, including fibromyalgia, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and pain management. When engaging in complementary and alternative therapies it’s important to inform your healthcare provider so they can evaluate whether these methods are safe and beneficial to your wellbeing.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, tai chi, massage, yoga, biofeedback music therapy and reiki. These forms of healthcare often complement conventional treatments like medicines chemotherapy surgery etc. It’s essential to discuss any use of complementary or alternative medicines with your healthcare provider so they have an accurate view of all you are doing to manage your health – this way they can make sure all treatments work in harmony and that you receive maximum benefit from each one. To gain further knowledge visit The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicines online database database.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice that employs techniques like meditation or hypnosis to assist individuals in dealing with physical and mental health concerns. Through hypnosis, people may find relief from anxiety, phobias or unwanted habits like smoking. Hypnotherapy may also be used to manage pain relief and decrease side effects from cancer treatments.
Many different CAM practices exist, yet not all have been scientifically established to be effective. Some are based on theories that directly contradict established science while others appeal to supernatural or superstitious practices. Some don’t even adhere to research protocols such as placebo-controlled trials and blind experiments, making their results hard to verify.
Although CAM therapies receive less research, some have been shown to be useful when used alongside traditional medical treatments. Acupuncture, for instance, has been demonstrated effective at relieving pain and lessening chemotherapy side effects while hypnosis may help people sleep more soundly without resorting to pharmaceutical intervention.
Before trying any complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, it’s essential that you consult with your physician first. They can assess if these new therapies are safe and will interfere with existing therapies; and ensure the practitioners you use are licensed and trained experts with experience treating your condition. In some instances, health insurance covers such treatments; it’s best to contact your provider beforehand in order to find out exactly which are covered and how you qualify.
Counselling
Counsellors provide complementary and alternative therapy that involves speaking openly about any of your worries with a professional therapist. A good counsellor will listen without judgment while helping to find ways of overcoming your issues. Working together takes time, so regular sessions with a counsellor are ideal to gain control over issues and overcome them.
Traditional (or mainstream) medicine involves doctors and other healthcare professionals treating symptoms and diseases with medications, surgery or radiotherapy. Comparable practices to conventional treatments might include acupuncture, massage and herbal remedies; complementary forms could include acupuncture, massage therapy or herbal remedies while alternative approaches might include energy healing, biofield therapy, Feng Shui and dietics; some people opt for complementary/alternative medicine because conventional treatments don’t suit them or cause too many side effects.
Further studies need to be conducted into complementary and alternative therapies, but evidence exists of their usefulness in treating some conditions. It’s best to discuss any such therapy with your GP first so they can ensure it won’t interfere with treatment from traditional healthcare providers.
Some complementary therapies do not readily fit into any one of the categories above; for instance, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese medicine fall under both categories; other treatments, however, such as integrative therapies (which combine traditional with modern health practices in order to treat whole persons rather than diseases or organs specifically), include Reiki, Tai Chi and Therapeutic Touch as examples of such practices.
