A Look at Complementary and Alternative Medicine
for Restoration of Health
Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. While some scientific evidence exists regarding some complementary and alternative medicine therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies.
What Are The Major Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine classifies complementary and alternative medicine therapies into five categories:
- Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative 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 alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the current name for an ancient system of health care from China. TCM is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body. Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Acupuncture and Zhan Zhuang are disciplines to improve the flow of Qi in the body of the practitioners.
- Mind-Body Medicine
Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily functions and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered as CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, patient support groups).
- Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural, but as yet scientifically unproven therapies.
- Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.
- Energy Therapies
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:
i. Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy biofields are experienced by specific slow choreographed movements to help facilitate energy flow. Examples include Qi gong, Tai Chi and Zhan Zhuang.
ii. Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.
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