CAM Therapeutic Modalities: Complementary And Integrative Medicine

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CAM Therapeutic Modalities Paper SCI/201 July 29, 2013 Dr. Adam Krisan CAM Therapeutics Modalities Paper Currently, our nation is making a shift where people are starting to become more proactive and involved with their own personal health. Americans are now taking the necessary precautions to take better care of themselves by investing time and effort into improving their health. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), is combined network of practices, medical products, and healthcare systems with variously different backgrounds. According to NCCAM (2011), different forms of CAM are categorized by “natural products, mind and body medicine, and manipulative and body-based practices” (para 4, p.1). The objective of this essay…show more content…
That is why we have the various terms. According to the National Institutes of Health (2010), “Alternative medicine” refers to use of CAM in place of conventional medicine” (para 3, p.1). Alternative medicine is comprised of an array of practices and some healing therapies are based on the usage of certain herbal compounds or Ancient Chinese beliefs, such as acupuncture and the use of certain herbal compounds. Other cultures focus on Hindu or Ayurvedic beliefs. This is when therapies include changes in the diet, the practice of yoga, and a strong emphasis on the connection of mind, body, and spirit (Ellis-Christensen, 2011). There are very little negative side effects associated with alternative medicine as many people are able to purchase herbs, vitamins, and other dietary supplements over-the-counter. A form of alternative medicine that is commonly used is herbal tea containing Echinacea and Chamomile. The combination of these two elements helps to strengthen the immune system of the body. Herbal teas also have the ability to suppress illness as they assist with sore muscles, stomach flu, and a cold. Complementary medicine refers to CAM usage in conjunction with conventional medicine. An example of complementary medicine is the usage of acupuncture in addition to usual care to help assist with decreasing pain, herbal medicine, massage, support groups, as well as yoga (NCCAM, 2011).…show more content…
This practice focuses on integrating the mind, the body as well as the spirit to deter and treat diseases and health conditions (National Institutes of Health, 2010). This practice also has very little scientific evidence to support just how effect it can be as the clinical trials attesting its effectiveness is few and limited. According to University of Vermont (2006), “Ayurveda is both a complementary and an alternative medicine and is one of the oldest healing systems used for centuries” (para 6, p.1). A diet pill called Ephedra is used as a form of conventional treatment to assist with individuals who are obese. Although the use of Ephedra may have many side effects and weight that was lost may resurface, it is still effective in assisting those who are struggling with obesity. Alternative therapy for this issue would focus more so on making lifestyle changes as well as changes within the diet where herbal supplements will be used to help assist smoother yet healthier transition providing better and long-lasting results (University of Vermont, 2006). Complementary therapy would include a very invasive approach to obesity as it would be the equivalent to bariatric surgery. This procedure would assist those who are obese by making their stomach smaller which would cut down food portions and eventually lead to weight lost. However, this method is quite

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