Complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) refers to therapies outside the mainstream medical framework, including acupuncture, tai chi and yoga as well as homeopathy and meditation.
Before trying any complementary or alternative medicine, consult with your regular doctor first. They can help you find a practitioner with the required qualifications, and ensure the therapy won’t interfere with conventional medical treatment plans.
What is CAM?
Complementary and alternative therapies are often lumped together; however, each has distinct definitions. Complementary therapies refer to therapies used alongside conventional medical therapy; alternative treatments on the other hand are sometimes employed instead of conventional medical therapies.
CAM covers everything from acupuncture and aromatherapy to meditation. Many forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have been scientifically evaluated, and have proven successful at relieving pain or anxiety. Others may improve immune systems or help combat side effects associated with cancer treatments like nausea or fatigue.
In the US, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to therapies outside of conventional medicine. Conventional treatments taught at medical schools typically include medications, surgery and changes to diet or exercise plans; herbal medicine, homeopathy and naturopathic medicine can all fall under this heading.
Conventional medicine doctors tend to be supportive of patients using complementary or alternative therapies (CAM). They advise discussing any new therapies with your therapist first if you have preexisting health conditions, are pregnant, taking medications or have any concerns related to medication usage. They can assist you in finding an experienced CAM practitioner certified with relevant training.
National Institutes of Health/NCCAM recognizes five categories of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). These are biologically-based therapies, mind-body interventions, energy therapies, whole system healing practices and traditional healing practices such as using herbs or vitamins from nature as medicine.
Traditional healing practices that include naturopathic medicine, Tibetan or Buddhist medicine, Ayurvedic medicine and classical homeopathy rely on the concept that imbalances within an individual’s overall constitution rather than specific illnesses are at the core of illness.
Energy therapies harness energy fields to promote health and healing. Examples of such therapies are Reiki, acupressure, energy massage and various forms of meditation or prayer – typically administered by trained professionals who ensure safe usage.
What are the benefits of CAM?
Consumers of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) have reported numerous advantages from using CAM therapies, including reduced stress levels, better sleep, increased energy and pain reduction. Yet further research is necessary in order to gauge their efficacy – especially regarding acupuncture and herbal medicines.
According to the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, more than 17 percent of American used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Nearly half used these practices for wellness while some were used for treatment; yoga was the most widely practiced CAM practice followed by tai chi, chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation, acupuncture massage therapy and meditation as other popular alternatives.
As most CAM is unregulated, it can be hard to know who has the necessary credentials or license to perform certain techniques. You may wish to check with professional associations or voluntary registers of practitioners to see if they’re registered and possess all required qualifications; alternatively there are various websites providing information about different kinds of CAM treatments.
No matter their reason for using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), most users believe it has helped them better manage their condition. Nearly all respondents reported feeling healthier after engaging with CAM; nearly two thirds believe CAM has enhanced both overall health and quality of life.
Before beginning any complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment, it’s wise to discuss it with your physician first. They can make sure it won’t interfere with any medications you’re currently taking; furthermore, be sure to disclose all over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements and CAM treatments you are using as well.
Some of the benefits associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could be attributable to placebo effects; however, evidence supporting its use is mounting, and efforts are underway to integrate some CAM techniques into conventional medical practice – referral patterns, inpatient integrative care departments and senior living facilities all offer some form of complementary and alternative therapy as part of standard treatment options. Some insurance companies are even starting to cover evidence-based CAM treatments.
What are the drawbacks of CAM?
Many individuals use complementary and alternative medicine alongside standard medical treatments in an effort to alleviate symptoms and enhance quality of life. Unfortunately, certain CAM practices may be harmful; there is also limited proof that most therapies work.
CAM, or Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), refers to over one hundred healing philosophies, approaches and therapeutic modalities used in alternative healing philosophies and approaches for treating illness or disease, such as herbs, acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga or meditation. While traditional medicines undergo rigorous tests before being applied as treatments against disease, most CAM practices have not undergone such testing and research; as a result they could prove dangerous or ineffective treatments.
Traditional cancer medicines like chemotherapy and radiotherapy must undergo rigorous tests before being approved for use in treating cancer, in order to ensure they are both safe and effective treatments. Complementary alternative medicine practices like herbal remedies or acupuncture, however, are considered nontraditional medical approaches and thus fall outside the purview of traditional treatment protocols.
Alternative therapies tend to be less-than-reliable and often incorporate religious or spiritual concepts. Some are linked with health risks like addiction and withdrawal symptoms; other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices may be costly or difficult for users to access; these factors can dissuade people from adopting them.
Some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices have been shown to be safe and effective, such as acupuncture, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, bodywork such as tai chi, acupressure and shiatsu as well as meditation or hypnosis (not thoroughly researched yet), which may help relieve stress or anxiety – although they should not be seen as cancer cures.
If you’re considering trying complementary or alternative therapies, speak to your physician first. They may want to know about what you’re doing and if it could interfere with standard cancer treatments. Also provide your list of over-the-counter and prescription drugs taken; this will help your physician decide if these therapies are safe for you. Additionally, inform any therapists involved of all cancer treatments you are currently receiving so they can suggest ways to modify regular therapies to lessen side effects or keep working more effectively.
Is CAM right for me?
All forms of complementary and alternative health approaches (CAM) can be dangerous when taken without medical guidance, so it’s crucial that you find a reputable therapist and inform your physician of any complementary or alternative health approaches you are using; this way, they can ensure they won’t interfere with the standard treatments you may already be receiving and that any over-the-counter or prescription medicines you are taking don’t pose a potential threat.
Certain complementary and alternative medicine techniques, like acupuncture and herbal medicine, have been demonstrated to relieve symptoms such as pain or depression and may even help manage side effects from cancer treatments; but other CAM practices, like reiki or yoga have yet to show promise as being helpful.
Relying solely on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments without proper research should not be trusted, and most have yet to be tested against conventional medicines that have undergone stringent approval by medical experts.
In the UK, most complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners aren’t legally regulated; however, there are voluntary registers which can help verify qualifications and experience of practitioners. Some regulated healthcare professionals, like GPs, also include CAM as part of their practices.
Massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, meditation and art/music therapy are some of the most widely utilized CAM techniques, according to NHIS data. According to some estimates, up to 9.5% of adults utilize them regularly.
Though commonly misreferred to as an alternative form of medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) should actually complement rather than replace conventional medical approaches. Conventional treatments are taught and practiced at most medical schools, hospitals and clinics – including medicine, surgery and other procedures. CAM practices complement or even enhance conventional approaches by adding complementary services like yoga.
Some evidence exists to show that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be an effective approach when used together with traditional therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer treatment. More research needs to be conducted into whether CAM alone may work and what complementary therapies may help people living with cancer. Both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NCI are sponsoring or co-sponsoring clinical trials to test CAM methods, some which compare alternative to conventional therapies.
