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What exactly is CAM (Complimentary and Alternative Medicine)? Does Integrative Medicine mean the same thing?

CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are presently not considered to be part of conventional medicine as practiced by M.D.’s, D.O.’s and their allied health professionals (such as physical therapists, R.N.’s and psychologists).

Complimentary Medicine is used together with conventional medicine. Two examples are aromatherapy to lessen a patient’s discomfort following surgery or to promote relaxation and sleep. Alternative Medicine is used in place of conventional. Instead of undergoing chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer, a person would choose only a special diet or herbs for example. Integrative Medicine combines treatments from conventional medicine and from CAM.

The list of CAM therapies accepted by the NACCM changes continually. The therapies proven to be safe and effective (by very strict standards and double blind studies in contrast to testimonies and self-reporting) have become adopted into conventional care as new approaches to health care emerge.The major domains of CAM and a few examples include:

• Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are examples.

• Mind-Body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily functions and symptoms. Some examples are meditation, hypnosis, prayer, art, music and dance. (Patient support groups and cognitive behavioral therapy once designated CAM are now considered mainstream).

• Biologically based practices use substances found in nature such as foods, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbs.

• Manipulative and body-based practices are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Chiropractic, osteopathic manipulation and massage are included in this domain.

Energy Medicine involves the use of energy fields. CAM defines two types:

• Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the body. Some of these therapies apply pressure (Jin Shin Jyutsu-acupressure, Shiatsu) and some place the hands lightly over or on the body (Reiki, Therapeutic and Healing touch, Ai gong, Tai-chi).

• Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetics for health, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.

As a result of a nation-wide government survey published in 2004 by NCCAM, it became well-known and documented that more than 1/3 of U.S. adults 18 years of age or older use some form of complementary and/or alternative therapy. The survey, administered to over 31,000 representative U.S. adults, was conducted as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2002 National Health Interview Survey. NCCAM is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on CAM. More detailed information can be found on the NCCAM website.

Grant County is no exception to the number of people and their pets utilizing complementary and integrative therapies or alternative therapies. Individual appointments are typically scheduled in advance and some local practitioners teach self-care classes in addition to offering personal healing services. Living in Grant County gives you many choices to empower yourself to take care of your well-being. Self care and prevention is priceless and less expensive that paying for “sick” care.