CAM: Complementary and Alterative Medicine

CAM: Complementary and Alterative MedicineXi PanWellness Class 605

What is CAM?CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered to be part of conventional medicine.

Are Complementary Medicine and Alternative Medicine Different From Each Other?Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine (e.g. aromatherapy)

Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine (e.g. a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy)

The Two Whole Medical BodiesTraditional Chinese MedicineIndian Ayurveda

Major Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Mind-body Medicineuses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms (e.g. patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy)Biologically based practices use substances found in nature, (e.g. herbs, foods, and vitamins)

Manipulative and body-based practices based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body (e.g. chiropractic , osteopathic manipulation and massageEnergy medicineBiofield therapy (e.g. qi gong, Reiki)Bioelectromagnetic based on therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields

Statistics about CAM (2007)The United States How many people use CAM 38% of adults (about 4 in 10) 12 % of children (about 1 in 9)

Who uses CAM most People who are aged 55-59 (44.1%)

Which therapy used the most Nonvitamin, nonmineral natural products

The most popular natural products fish oil/omega 3, glucosamine, echinacea, and flaxseed

Diseases or conditions for the most frequent use Back, neck or joint pain

CAM Use Among Children Children whose parents used CAM (23.9%) Adolescents aged 12-17 (16.4%), compared to younger children White children (12.8%), compared to Hispanic children (7.9%) and black children (5.9%) Children whose parents had higher education levels (more than high school: 14.7%) Children with six or more health conditions (23.8%) Children whose families delayed conventional care because of cost (16.9%)

CAM Use Among Older Adults Heart diseaseChelation therapy (uses a chemical called EDTA to remove heavy metals from the body)Meditation (mindfulness-based stress reduction )Garlic (prevent blood clots, thin the blood, lower LDL)

Canceracupuncture massage vitamin E and selenium

Osteoarthritisacupuncture glucosamine and chondroitin

Alzheimer's diseaseginkgo biloba antioxidants B vitamins omega-3 fatty acids

11Ensure receive an accurate diagnosis from a licensed health care provider and that CAM use does not replace or delay conventional medical care

Correct Use of CAM

Do not increase the dose or length of treatment beyond what is recommended. More is not necessarily better.

If children or older adults experience an effect from a CAM therapy, contact their health care provider.

Store herbal and other dietary supplements out of the sight and reach of children

If you are a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding, remember that some CAM therapies may affect your fetus or nursing infant.

Warning!!!

natural" does not necessarily mean "safe

Education and training

Experience

Licensing

NCCAM The National Center for Complementary and Alternative MedicineFederal Government's lead agency for scientific research on CAM Mission--explore complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals.

NCCAMhttp://nccam.nih.gov/E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

Thank you!