by Elle Reeves

Created on: June 09, 2009

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine is growing more and more every year. People are opening their minds to the fact that body and mind are both powerful and when in perfect balance harmony can be achieved.

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)?

CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used with conventional medicine (ex. Massage used to ease pain after a surgery), while alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. (Ex. Using natural remedies for pain instead of narcotics)

Scientific research is constantly being done to find evidence of CAM therapies effectiveness.

Major types of CAM

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) groups CAM practices into four domains, recognizing there can be some overlap. In addition, NCCAM studies CAM whole medical systems, which cut across all domains.

Whole Medical Systems

Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of whole medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine, a whole medical system that originated in Europe.

Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances that in larger doses would produce illness or symptoms (an approach called "like cures like").

Naturopathic medicine, a whole medical system that originated in Europe is another form. Naturopathy aims to support the body's ability to heal itself through the use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies such as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation.

Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine, originated in China. It is based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of qi and imbalance in the forces of yin and yang.

Practices such as herbs, meditation, massage, and acupuncture seek to aid healing by restoring the yin-yang balance and the flow of qi.

Ayurveda originated in India and aims to integrate the body, mind, and spirit to prevent and treat disease. Therapies used include herbs, massage, and yoga.

Mind-Body Medicine

Mind-body medicine uses a variety

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