What Is Alternative Medicine?
Alternative medicine is a term given or used to describe the different or various forms of medicine other than the conventional methods or practices that we know today. Alternative medicine includes various medical practices covering non-European or non-Western medical practices and some new approaches to medical methods.
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There is an increasing interest in the Western nations
of alternative medicine, with the increasing research and new findings in medical
practices. While the Eastern part of the world, there are some forms of
alternative medicine which has been practiced for centuries. This increasing
trend in the West was caused by the growth of medical education among people
and the increasing amount of travel to different parts of the world. There are
more documentary references available on the subject and the medical societies
specializing in different forms of alternative medicine are present.
There is another sophisticated form of medical
practice that combines both the conventional and the alternative medicine and
it is called complementary medicine.
Which Is An Example of Alternative
Medication?
Here are some of examples and the most common forms of
alternative medicine out there and we will describe each one of these forms:
Complementary medicine, on the other hand, is
different from alternative medicine. This practice is usually applied together
with conventional medication or treatment. While, alternative medicine is being
utilized instead of the conventional medication.
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Osteopathy
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient art which originated in the
Orient. This medical practice involves manipulating and inserting needles into
special points in the body. It is believed to restore health and create well-being.
Several forms of acupuncture that are taught worldwide. It is one of the most
popular forms of alternative medicine which existed and practiced for a long
time.
What Is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that
tries to stimulate the body’s immune system in order to promote healing. This
medical practice of homeopathy strives to bring the entire body back into
homeostasis or balance.
What Is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is another alternative medicine
which is a medical practice that is designed to stimulate the body’s own
healing system. The said system uses multiple forms of alternative medicine.
The system can also be referred to as Natural Therapy, and can include dietary
supplements, exercise, and different foods.
What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine, from the
Greek word ‘osteon’ which means bone, and ‘patheia’ which means
disease or disorder, based on
manipulating the joints of the body. This medical practice is still use for
chronic back pain. This is often utilized with other forms of medicine.
It is very important and highly recommended to consult
doctors when treating illnesses and serious diseases. A lot of doctors will
endorse some alternative medicine together with conventional medicine,
especially if the conventional medicine is not proving to be effective for a chronic
condition.
Some alternative medicine can work surprisingly well
despite the lack of supporting clinical studies. This will all depend on a
specific illness and the body’s functionality whether the alternative medicine
is suited or works well.
What Does Alternative Medicine Do?
What the alternative medicine does is being utilized for
treatment rather than using the standard medical procedure. One particular example
application of alternative medicine is using a special diet to treat cancer
instead of cancer drugs prescribed by an oncologist.
Complementary medicine, on the other hand, is utilized
together with the standard medical treatment; however, is not considered by
itself to be a standard treatment. One specific example is by utilizing
acupuncture to help minimize some side effects of cancer treatment.
What Are The 5 Major Types or Domains of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
The most widely known and utilized types or domains of
complementary and alternative medicine or CAM therapies are the following:
- Biologically Based Practices
- Biofield Therapy
- Manipulative and Body-Based Practices
- Mind-body Therapies
- Whole Medical System
What Are The Types of Complementary and
Alternative Medicine?
There are currently 5 types of complementary and
alternative medicines or CAM therapies. Scientists learn about Complementary
and Alternative Medicine or CAM therapies every day, but there is still more to
know and explore in this field.
Some of the therapies listed below necessitates further
research to prove that they can be beneficial. If one has cancer, this should
be discussed about using CAM with a health care provider before using the
therapies listed below.
Experts often use the following five categories to
describe the CAM therapies. These are listed below with some examples for each
category:
Biologically Based Practices
This is a type of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine or CAM that uses things found in nature. Some examples are the
following:
- Botanicals – these are plants or parts of plants. One specific type is cannabis.
- Herbs and spices such as turmeric or cinnamon or capsicum.
- Special foods or diets.
- Vitamins and dietary supplements.
Biofield Therapy
Biofield therapy is also known as energy medicine,
which involves the belief that the body has energy fields that can be utilized
for healing and wellness. Therapists utilize pressure or move the body by
placing their hands in or through these fields. Some particular examples are
the following:
Reiki – originally
founded by Mikao Usui from Japan, is the practice of balancing energy either
from a distance or by placing hands on or near the patient.
Therapeutic touch –
It is a practice of moving hands over energy fields of the body to promote
healing process.
Manipulative and Body-Based Practices
These practices are based on working with one or more
parts of the body. Some examples are the following:
Massage – The soft
tissues of the body are kneaded, rubbed, tapped, and stroked.
Chiropractic therapy –
This is a type of manipulating the spine, joints, and skeletal system.
Reflexology –
Utilizing the pressure points in the hands or feet to affect other parts of the
body.
Mind–Body Therapies
These therapies combine mental focus, breathing, and
body movements to support in relaxing the body and the mind. Here are some
examples:
Biofeedback –
Utilizing simple machines, the patient will learn how to affect certain body
functions that are normally out of one’s awareness, specifically the heart rate.
Creative Outlets –
To having interests such as art, music, or dancing.
Hypnosis – This is a state
of relaxed and focused attention in which a person concentrates on a certain
feeling, thought, or suggestion to support the healing process.
Imagery – Visualizing
images of scenes, pictures, or experiences to assist in the healing of the body.
Meditation –
This is a method of focused breathing or repetition of words or phrases to
quiet the mind.
Tai Chi – An ancient
Chinese practice that involves slow, gentle movements with a focus on the
breath and concentration.
Yoga – An ancient
Northern India practice which is a system of stretches and poses, with special
attention given to breathing.
Whole Medical System
Considered to be the healing systems and beliefs that
have grown and developed over time in different cultures and parts of the
world. Some examples of these healing systems are the following:
Acupuncture –
This is a common practice in Chinese medicine that involves stimulating certain
points on the body to promote health, or to lessen disease symptoms and
treatment side effects.
Ayurvedic medicine –
This is a system that originated from India where the goal is to cleanse the
body and restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit.
Homeopathy –
A practice that utilizes very small doses of substances to trigger the body to
heal itself.
Naturopathic medicine –
Utilizes different methods that supports the body to naturally heal itself. A
particular example would be herbal treatments.
Traditional Chinese medicine –
This is a system originated from China that is based on the belief that health
is a balance in the body of two forces called yin and yang.
Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Safe?
There are some CAM therapies that underwent careful
evaluation and have been found to be generally safe and effective. These
therapies include acupuncture, yoga, and meditation to
name a few. On the other hand, there are other therapies found that are
ineffective, considered harmful, or could react negatively with your standard
medications.
CAM Therapies Being Natural Does Not Necessarily
Mean Safe
CAM Therapies or Complementary and Alternative
Medicine therapies consist a wide variety of botanicals and nutritional products,
like herbal and dietary supplements, and
vitamins. These products do not require approval by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) before being sold to the public. More so, a prescription
is not even needed to buy these products. Therefore, it is up to the individual
to decide what is best for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Herbal supplements can be harmful when taken by
themselves, with other substances, or specially in large doses. Some studies
have shown that kava kava, an herb that has been used to aid with stress
and anxiety, can cause liver damage.
While St. John’s wort, which some people use this for
treating depression, will cause certain cancer medicines to not work as well as
intended or simply put, the medicine will lose its efficacy.
It is highly recommended that one must speak to a healthcare
professional when taking any dietary supplements, even if these are just
vitamins, regardless if one thinks these are harmless or ads claiming that the
products are safe and effective.
It’s crucially important for a person to have a
healthy and proper diet. One has to have a well-rounded approach, consuming a
variety of foods that are beneficial to you.
What Are The Advantages of Alternative
Medicine?
There are many advantages to utilizing alternative
medicine over the typical mainstream medical prescriptions and medicines.
Health care professionals themselves, are even becoming more open to utilizing alternative
medicine and acknowledging the benefits it will have for the body in general.
Alternative Medicine does not have bad
side effects. When using mainstream medicine, you
might be able to get rid of your headache, however, the side effects may
include nausea, hallucinations, and risk of stroke in the process. Almost all
mainstream medicine has some type of precautions about the adverse side effects
that come from taking it, where most alternative medicine bears minimal to no
adverse side effects.
Alternative Medicine doesn’t offer
dependency treatment options. The prescription pills will
cause dependency and other adverse side effects to the body and mind.
Alternative medicine does not possess those same disadvantages.
Alternative Medicine is an improvement of
the Quality of Life (QoL). When we utilize prescription medicines
we generally see an improvement in pain, however, once the medicine is removed from
our system the pain returns. But using an alternative medicine, there is a significant
improvement in the quality of life a person can have.
Alternative Medicine is more flexible.
Alternative medicine has more flexibility in treatment programs. Many
alternative medicine professionals change their treatment programs according to
lifestyle changes of the patient, unlike mainstream medical professionals would
not.
Alternative Medicine is safer.
Alternative medicine consists a wide variety of therapies, and these are almost
always considered to be much safer than mainstream medications. The natural
remedies are utilized to address the problem. There are no man-made and
artificial substances that would be used to be placed in one’s body.
Alternative Medicine looks at overall
health of your body. Alternative medicine concentrates on
healing pain and disease by balancing out the other aspects of the patient.
Sleeping, nutrition, and stress can affect the body, so adapting health programs
with these in mind is important with alternative medicine. On the other hand, mainstream
medication is not well rounded compared with the alternative medicine.
Alternative Medicine treats the actual cause.
One of the best advantages that alternative medicine provides is that it helps in
healing the body and is designed to actually treat the cause of the pain or
disease. Understanding and treating the disease, alternative medicine
professionals are able to work at the root cause of the medical problem.
Mainstream medicine, meanwhile, tends to treat the symptom that the disease or
pain is causing, not directly or actually treating the root of the problem.
When working in collaboration with traditional
treatment, as prescribed by your doctor and physical therapy team,
There are some complementary medical techniques will enhance
your recovery and make it more comfortable that can be applied together with
traditional treatment, when prescribed by the doctor. Advantages, thus far, are
conclusive, which include the following:
Alternative Medicine is a natural and
healthy approach. Alternative medicine is all about
re-harmonizing or rebalancing the energy in the body. Utilizing natural
substances such as herbs and oils, alternative medicine is more gentle than
traditional medication and typically does not cause adverse side effects to the
body. One should consult with a doctor, however, before taking any supplements
to ensure these will not interact with any current medications taken.
Alternative Medicine is less expensive.
The mainstream traditional medicine requires high tech equipment, engineered
medicines, and surgical procedures that are very costly. Meanwhile, alternative
medicine uses energies, oils, herbs and therapeutic touch to heal, treatments
which, generally, are less expensive and more practical. However, insurance
usually does not cover alternative treatments.
Alternative Medicine offers whole body
care.
Alternative medicine is concentrated not just on your body, but also on your
mind as well. Comparing it with traditional medicine, alternative medical
practitioners believe that the mind and body are interconnected. Instead of
focusing on fixing a particular area of the body for any illness, alternative
medicine practitioners consider the lifestyle habits as part of the overall
body healing process.
Alternative Medicines are personal and
unique. By focusing on the whole body, alternative medicines
are more personal and unique. Alternative medicine practitioners spend more
time doing one-on-one consultation to properly evaluate the emotional and
spiritual health as well as the nutritional and other physical needs of the
patient.
What Are The Disadvantages of Alternative
Medicine?
The following are the disadvantages of alternative
medicine:
Alternative Medicine has longer term
treatment. The traditional medical procedures are fast and
easy. However, with alternative medicine, it is like a marathon, not a sprint.
Alternative medicine is based on natural or organic products and how these
interact with and promote healing process of the body. Alternative medicines require
a longer treatment period and healing time because it concentrates on healing
the problem at the root cause. It will also necessitate the patient to have an
active role in the healing process to achieve full recovery.
Alternative Medicine has minimal
scientific research. Evidence is still limited when it comes
to scientific proof or clinical studies. A lot of people are still skeptical
about the reliability of alternative medicine as a treatment option. Methods
that have worked for some people do not work for others. Alternative medicine
is not 100% proven to cure every health-related-problem of every person.
Alternative Medicine has no regulation.
Most of the alternative medicines out there are not approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, it is highly suggested that anyone who is
thinking of utilizing alternative medicine, must do due diligence or thorough
research. Talk to a medical professional for proper guidance. Make sure to be
well-informed about different forms of alternative medicines and trustworthy
practices. One must ask for referrals and references before taking chances with
your health in alternative medicine.
Alternative Medicine is not useful in
emergency cases. During an emergency, alternative
medicines will not do you much good. Traditional medicine is made to work faster.
Should one be in an emergency situation, turn to the traditional medical
professions for proper medication.
Why People Use Complementary or Alternative
Therapies?
There are several reasons why people use complementary
or alternative therapies.
A study that was published in 2012 has suggested that around
50% of people who are suffering cancer use some sort of complementary therapy
at some time during their treatment period.
However, there is no evidence to recommend that any
type of complementary prevents or cures cancer. There are some therapies,
however, have minimal research evidence to show that it can address some
certain symptoms like pain or hot flushes.
However, there is an on-going research and evidences
are being collected for some types of CAM therapies that are beneficial.
How CAM Therapies Can Help You Feel Better?
Complementary therapies are often used by people to
help them feel better and cope with having illness and while undergoing medical
treatment.
There are many complementary therapies available that
focus on relaxation and reducing stress in patients. These therapies will aid
to calm emotions, relieve anxiety, and increase the general sense of health and
well-being of the patient.
A lot of doctors, cancer nurses, and researchers are,
in fact, interested in the idea that positive emotions will improve the overall
health and well-being.
How To Reduce Symptoms or Side Effects
Using Alternative Medicine?
Certain complementary and alternative medicine or CAM
therapies can help in controlling some symptoms of illnesses and treatment side
effects.
One particular example is acupuncture – this type
of therapy will help in relieving sickness caused by some chemotherapy medications.
It will also help relieve a sore mouth after having head and neck cancer
treatment.
Acupuncture will also help to relieve pain after
surgery to remove lymph nodes in the neck.
Having the Feeling of Being More In Control
There are times or most of it where it feels as though
a doctor makes many of the decisions about a patient’s treatment. It makes someone
feel of not having much control over what happens to person as the patient.
A lot of people says CAM therapy lets them take more
active role in their treatment and recovery, in collaboration with the therapist
or the CAM practitioner.
Natural and Healing Therapies
There are many patients who like the idea that CAM
therapies are natural and non- toxic.
Also, some CAM therapies will help with specific
symptoms or side effects. However, there is not enough knowledge or evidence about
how these might interact with mainstream conventional treatments like cancer medications
or chemotherapy.
Yet some types of complementary or alternative
medicine or CAM therapies might make conventional treatment work less well. And
some others might elevate side effects.
Having Comfort From Personal Touch, Talk,
and Time
There are some individuals who might get a lot of
comfort and satisfaction from personal touch, talk and time that a
complementary therapist will provide.
CAM therapist will be playing a supportive role during
the treatment and recovery program. Particularly, a skilled and caring
aromatherapist will take the time to make a patient feel cared for. This will
help improve your quality of life (QoL).
Having A Positive Outlook
Having a positive outlook is very important part in coping
with diseases such as cancer for most people. Most people if not all, want and
hope for a cure, even if the doctor suggests that this might be a real
challenge.
So, there are some people who use complementary
therapies as a way to feel positive and remains hopeful for a better future and
fast recovery.
Boosting The Immune System
Many claims that some certain CAM therapies can boost a
person’s immune system and help fight serious illness. More so, there is
evidence that feeling good and reducing stress boosts one’s immune system.
Meanwhile, there are clinical trials looking at how
certain complementary or CAM therapies affecting the person’s immune system.
Looking For A Cure Using CAM Therapies
Many people believe that utilizing specific
alternative therapies instead of the conventional medication will help control
or cure serious illnesses. Also, there are those people who promote alternative
or CAM therapies in this manner.
Utilizing alternative or CAM therapy will become more significant
to people with more serious and advance illnesses, especially, if their
conventional treatment is no longer helping to control it. It is totally
comprehensible that these people hope that the alternative or CAM therapies
might work and help them with their fast recovery.
However, there is not enough to no scientific evidence
to validate that any type of alternative or CAM therapy that can help to
control or cure serious or severe illnesses. Yet, some alternative therapies
might be even unsafe and can cause more harm than good.
What is the difference between complementary and alternative medicine?
Complementary and Alternative Medicine are both treatments,
that are often grouped together and called CAM therapies. Complementary
medicine is the kind of treatment when these are being utilized alongside mainstream
traditional medication. Alternative medicine, on the other hand, is when the
approaches are without or instead of the mainstream traditional medication that
we know.
There are a lot of people who think that “complementary
medicine” and “alternative medicine” to mean the same treatment. However, these
two are totally different.
Some examples of alternative medicine include yoga,
chiropractic medicine, meditation, and massage therapy.
Although few people use alternative medicine, and
experts recommend against utilizing the treatment. However, there are more
traditional doctors who are accepting complementary medicine as an option.
Most cases, the two health practices actually overlap
each other. For example, a lot of traditional medical doctors also practice
acupuncture. And there are major medical centers that offer complementary
approaches for treatment.
Who Can Benefit from CAM?
Anybody can benefit from CAM or Complementary and
Alternative Medicine. It can be applied to either the sick or the healthy
person. Each individual will respond differently to each product or therapy.
It’s also imperative to be aware that some complementary treatments have been
studied more than others available.
Research shows that acupuncture can be helpful in treating
chronic pain, including that of the lower back and neck. Acupuncture has also
been proven effective in treating pain from arthritis and different types of
headaches.
Yoga can help with pain treatment, too. It can also minimize
depression and anxiety, as well as blood pressure and heart rate management.
Furthermore, there are some complementary therapies
like acupuncture that can help with fatigue, nausea, and other side effects mainstream
treatment.
Are There Risks Using CAM Therapies?
Yes there are certain risks. There are always risk in
any treatment not just with CAM therapies, but with mainstream traditional
treatment as well. However, alternative medicine can be dangerous if it’s used
in place of traditional treatments especially if there is no health
professional guidance or prescription. It can even lead to a life-threatening
situation.
On the other hand, there are many forms of
complementary medicine such as meditation where it doesn’t have many side
effects and can be utilized safely.
There are some herbs, supplements, and vitamins that
have adverse side effects. The substances are not regulated by the government
in the same way that medicines are.
Yet many a people claim that these are “natural”, but
this does not always and necessarily mean that it is safe to use.
The following are some specific dangers linked with
natural products and treatment:
Chiropractic Treatment –
There are cases, although rare, where this CAM therapy has been used on the
spine, it has ended in a stroke. There are common side effects, however, like
headaches, are mild and will not last long.
Dietary Supplements –
These products can interfere with different cancer treatments. Some of which
might cause skin to become sensitive if being taken while getting radiation therapy.
It is for this reason why oncologists usually tell patients to avoid taking any
dietary supplements when undergoing treatment.
Herbal Products –
These are products used in Chinese and Ayurvedic treatment. However, some of
these herbal products may contain heavy metals, such as lead or arsenic which
are harmful to one’s health.
Kava Kava –
There are some people who utilize this herb to ease anxiety. However, the usage of such herb may cause liver damage.
St. John’s Wort –
This herb is commonly used to treat depression. However, it can reduce the
efficacy of some medications. Some of these medications that are negatively
impacted are certain cancer medicines, anti-retrovirals, and immunosuppressants.
Vitamin C –
If taken in high dosage could affect how well chemotherapy and radiation work
in cancer treatment.
What Is The Best Alternative Medicine?
Acupuncture is considered the best alternative
medicine or CAM therapy. This healing technique originated in China and has
been in practice for centuries. Acupuncture practitioners believe that diseases
and ailments are caused because of the imbalances of universal energies or chi.
Why Is Alternative Medicine Bad?
Alternative and complementary therapy can pose dangers
if not properly administered or without proper guidance from an alternative
medicine practitioner.
There are some known concerns on using alternative
medicine making it bad: delayed surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other
traditional treatment by using an alternative therapy, can allow certain cancer
to grow and metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.
Is Meditation An Alternative Medicine?
Yes, meditation is considered a type of mind-body CAM or
complementary and alternative medicine therapy. Meditation can produce a deep
state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. When meditating, a person focuses on
attention and eliminate the stream of muddled thoughts that may be crowding the
mind and creating stress.
Can Doctors Recommend Alternative
Medicine?
Most doctors do not recommend alternative medicine due
to the fact that alternative medicines remain scientifically unproven. Although
these doctors don’t say that there are everyday medical practices and
treatments that are also still scientifically unproven, but it doesn’t stop
them from prescribing. It will depend on the doctor to recommend or refer a patient
to a complementary and alternative medicine or CAM practitioner on top of the
mainstream conventional treatment.
What Is The Difference Between Traditional
and Alternative Medicine?
Traditional Medicine is
the total knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and
experiences, aboriginal to different cultures that are utilized to maintain and
promote health and well-being, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or
treat diseases or illnesses. While, Alternative Medicine is a
non-mainstream medical practice that is used in place of conventional medicine
or treatment.
What Is The Purpose of Alternative
Medicine?
Alternative medicine is a non-mainstream practice which
aims to achieve the healing effects of medicine. Furthermore, it aims to address
not only root of the problem but it also helps the overall well-being of the
person. However, alternative medicine remains scientifically unproven, which makes
some people think about the efficacy of utilizing this treatment.
What Is The Most Commonly Used Form of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
Meditation is the therapy that is most commonly used
among all the CAM therapies available, which is under the manipulative and
body-based practices,. Manipulative and body-based practices include methods
that are based on manipulation and/or the movement of the body. Some examples of
the manipulative and body-based practices are meditation, biofeedback, and
reflexology.
Is Yoga An Alternative Medicine?
Yes, Yoga is an alternative medicine which is a
healing system of theory and practice. Yoga, which originated from Northern
India, is a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and
meditation, practiced for over 5,000 years.
How Important Is Alternative Medicine in
Today’s Society?
Alternative medicine concentrates on the healing
process of the body by balancing out the other aspects of life. Poor sleeping
habits, poor nutrition, and stress affect the overall health, so by adapting complementary
and alternative medicine program – these can help a person in addressing the
root of the problem and help improve the overall well-being as well as quality
of life (QoL).
Alternative medicine is important in today’s society
because it gives patients choices or options. Alternative medicine allows
patients to make health-conscious choices such as making lifestyle changes,
understanding medical alternatives to care, and become an active participant in
the medical treatment program through CAM therapies. When the patient is given
the power to choose, it allows them to take control to make those changes and
the power of positive changes in life serves a solid foundation in the healing
process.
Another reason why alternative medicine is important
in today’s society because it doesn’t have to be utilized exclusively. There are
many approaches available and considered alternative medicine but now are being
used together, instead of replacing, with mainstream treatment.
Furthermore, patients are looking for more ways to
support their health, and are seeking less invasive, non-drug, economical
approaches to strengthen their overall well-being. Alternative medicine provides
many options, and visiting alternative medicine practitioners include
treatments that immediately improve the state of well-being, while providing
long range benefits as well.