CAM Therapeutics Modalities Paper

Individuals have taken the option to take better care of themselves by taking steps to improve their health. Complementary and alternative medicine, otherwise known as CAM, is a group made up of practices, products, and medical and healthcare systems with diverse backgrounds. The different practices of CAM are grouped into different categories associated with “natural products, mind and body medicine, and manipulative and body-based practices”.

The purpose of this essay is to define alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine. It will describe how conventional medicine plays a role in these three types of medicine. In addition, the essay will further discuss the philosophy of CAM; how it relates to conventional Western medicine as well as describes the five domains of therapies. Finally, the essay will describe one CAM treatment modality within the five domains of therapies and how it meets the definition of alternative, complementary, or integrative therapy. When discussing complementary medicine, it is referred to as standard care.

It is proven to be safe and effective. “Complementary medicine includes techniques such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, support groups, and yoga”. This type of medicine can affect an individual’s physical being, spiritual being, emotional being, and social being. It can help a person’s immune system become healthier and it can also have the ability to fight off disease. Outside of the realm of conventional medicine, there is another form of medicine that is called alternative medicine. With alternative medicine, individuals are required to do a bit more work. Alternative medicine includes a broad range of practices. Some healing therapies are based on Ancient Chinese beliefs, like acupuncture and the use of certain herbal compounds. Others focus on Hindu, or Ayurvedic, therapies including diet changes, the practice of yoga, and emphasizing the connection of mind, body, and spirit”. With alternative medicine, the negative side effects almost do not exist. People may want to go to a Walmart or pharmacy to purchase herbs, vitamins, or other supplements and can get them at a reasonable price.

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Many of these herbs, supplements, and products are the basis of much of alternative medicine which is overlooked for the most part in terms of their health benefits. One form of natural, alternative medicine that is frequently used by many comes in the convenient form of tea. The herbal teas Echinacea and Chamomile naturally help support the body’s immune system. Whether for sore muscles, the stomach flu, or a cold, herbal tea can suppress the illness until the symptoms have passed and wellness has been restored.

Integrative medicine is a combination of conventional Western medicine with complementary and alternative medicine or treatments. The various techniques that can be utilized from both complementary and alternative treatments are all in an effort to treat the person in a whole. For any integrative medicine program, the goal for the physician is to truly bring together “ allopathic medicine with mind-body-spirit modalities with the ultimate goal of helping patients or individuals adapt to traditional medical treatments.

The modalities directly affect the body’s physiological healing process while gently awakening the mind-body-spirit connection needed to enhance the healing process”(Beaumont Health Systems, 2011). Within the complementary and alternative medical practices are healthcare practices that are part of conventional practices. “NCCAM groups CAM practices within five major domains, acknowledging that other groupings are possible:

1. native medical systems,
2. mind-body interventions,
3. biologically based treatments,
4. manipulative and body-based methods,
5. energy therapies”(NCCAM,2011).

Alternative medical systems are practiced in various cultures in the world. The Asian medical systems use traditional techniques such as acupuncture, oriental massage, herbal medicine, and other energy therapy to promote healing. As mentioned before, Ayurveda is a traditional medicine in India. Homeopathy is a traditional medicine developed in Germany as well as naturopathy. All traditional medicines are considered to be a part of the complete alternative medical system.

• Mind-body interventions have a variety of healing techniques that are designed to make the mind’s capacity easier to process bodily functions and symptoms. These techniques include art therapy, dance, hypnosis, music, and prayer.
• Biologically based therapies, it involves the use of dietary supplements and special diet therapies. “Biological therapies include, for example, the use of laetrile and shark cartilage to treat cancer and bee pollen to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases”(NCCAM,2011).
• Manipulative and body-based methods have treatments such as full body massage. Physicians in the field of osteopathy use body manipulation to reduce pain, promote health and well-being, and restores function.

Overall, it helps the body to become calmer and more relaxed.  Lastly, energy therapies help the body heal from other energy sources, An example of energy therapy is biofield and bioelectromagnetic-based therapy. These therapies are used as treatments for cancer, and asthma as well as manage pain due to migraine headaches. Complementary and alternative medicines are used to promote health and prosperity. It is the way of life. All cultures have their own way of treating illness but at the end of the day, it would leave a person healthier mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

References

1. Beaumont Health Systems. (2011). Integrative Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.beaumont.edu/integrative-medicine
2. Ellis-Christensen, T. (09/29/2011). What is Alternative Medicine? Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-alternative-medicine.htm
3. National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine. (July 2011). What Are Complementary and Alternative Medicine? Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/ National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2011).
4. Major domains of complementary and alternative medicine. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/about/plans/fiveyear/fiveyear.pdf

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