Understanding Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used along with conventional medicine alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. CAM therapies incorporate a holistic approach that focuses on treating the mind and the whole body. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

The 10 Most Common CAM Therapies among U.S. Adults © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Who Uses CAM? More women than men People who are seeking a more natural, gentle approach to healing. More people with higher educational levels More people who have been hospitalized in the past Former smokers (compared with current smokers or those who have never smoked) People with back, neck, head, or joint aches or other painful conditions People with gastrointestinal disorders or sleeping problems © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Diseases and Conditions for Which CAM Is Most Frequently Used among Adults © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Integrative medicine is practice that combines conventional medicine with complementary and alternative therapies. Whole medical systems are complete systems of theory and practice that have evolved over time in various cultures. Manipulative and body-based practices are based on manipulation or movement of one or more body structures. Energy medicine involves the use of energy fields. Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques to enhance the mind's ability to affect bodily function and symptoms. Natural products are based on substances found in nature. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEMS Traditional Chinese Medicine Ayurveda Homeopathy Naturopathy © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancient comprehensive system of healing that uses herbs, acupuncture, and massage Goal is to bring the body into balance and to remove blockages of vital energy flow that lead to disease. Emphasizes the proper balance of qi, or chi, the vital energy or life force. Diagnosis is based on personal history, observation of the body, palpitation, and pulse diagnosis. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Ayurveda A comprehensive system of medicine, originating in ancient India Places equal emphasis on the body, mind, and spirit and strives to restore the body's innate harmony through diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, sun exposure, and controlled breathing. Techniques include questioning, observation, examination, and classifying patients into one of three doshas (body types) before establishing a treatment plan. Goal is to eliminate body impurities and reduce symptoms. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Homeopathy Unconventional Western system of medicine based on the principle that "like cures like." It involves the administration of minute doses of a substance that in large doses would produce symptoms of an illness, but in small doses, can provide a cure. Homeopathic physicians use natural substances in extremely diluted forms to kill infectious agents or ward off illnesses. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Naturopathy System of medicine that originated in Europe Views disease as a manifestation of alterations in the body's natural healing processes. Emphasizes health restoration as well as disease treatment. Healing practices include diet and clinical nutrition homeopathy acupuncture herbal medicine hydrotherapy spinal and soft tissue manipulation physical therapies pharmacology © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Manipulative and Body-Based Practices Manipulative and body-based practices involve manipulation or movement of one or more body structures. Chiropractic Medicine System of treatment that involves manipulation of the spine to allow proper energy flow. Disease is considered to result from abnormal functioning of the nervous system. Techniques include spinal manipulation, and research has shown it can be an effective treatment for back pain, neck pain, and headaches. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Manipulative and Body-Based Practices (cont.) Massage therapy is soft-tissue manipulation by trained therapists for healing purposes. Swedish massage Deep tissue massage Sports massage Trigger point massage (also called pressure point massage) Shiatsu massage Bodywork encompasses a wide range of body-centered modalities. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Energy Medicine Energy medicine therapies use energy fields, such as magnetic fields or biofields. Includes Acupuncture- Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles to affect energy flow along meridians (pathways) within the body. Acupressure- Technique based on traditional Chinese medicine that uses application of pressure to selected points along meridians to balance energy. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Acupuncture A branch of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles to affect energy (qi) flow along meridians (pathways) within the body. Used to treat a variety of health conditions including musculoskeletal dysfunction and mood disorders, and to promote general wellness. Results have been promising in the treatment of nausea associated with chemotherapy, headaches, fibromyalgia, and low back pain. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

The Main Meridian Channels © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Acupressure Based on traditional Chinese medicine that uses application of pressure to selected points along meridians to balance energy. Instead of needles, pressure is applied to points critical to balancing yin and yang, the two complementary principles that influence overall harmony (health) of the body. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Mind-Body Medicine Mind-body medicine uses techniques designed to enhance the mind's ability to affect bodily functions and symptoms. Includes biofeedback and cognitive-behavioral techniques that are so well established they are no longer considered alternative practices. Other forms are meditation and relaxation techniques; yoga, tai chi; certain uses of hypnosis; dance, music, and art therapies; and prayer. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Psychoneuroimmunology The interaction of consciousness (psycho), the brain, and central nervous system (neuro), and the body's defense against external infection, and internal aberrant cell division (immunology) Several studies have shown promising positive effects of mind-body techniques that encourage relaxation and stress-reduction strategies for people with cancer or other health problems. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Natural Products Natural products include substances found in nature, such as herbs, supplements, or functional foods. Dietary supplements are products (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet, which contain one or more of the following: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, or other substances that increase total dietary intake. Dietary supplements are not represented as conventional food. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Herbal Remedies and Other Supplements Herbs are the sources for approximately 25% of the pharmaceutical drugs used today, including aspirin (white willow bark), digitalis (foxglove), and Taxol (Pacific yew tree plant). Scientists continue to make pharmacological advances by studying the herbal remedies used in cultures throughout the world. Herbal remedies come in several different forms including Tinctures- fresh or dried plants Freeze-dried extracts Standardized extracts- pills or capsules © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

The Role of Functional Foods (cont.) Some Common Functional Foods and Their Purported Benefits Plant stanols/sterols can lower "bad" (LDL) cholesterol. Oat fiber can lower LDL cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar levels, and may have a calming effect. Sunflower oil can lower risk of heart disease and may prevent angina. Soy protein may lower heart disease risk by reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Garlic lowers cholesterol and reduces clotting tendency of blood, lowers blood pressure. Ginger may prevent motion sickness, stomach pain, and stomach upset; discourages blood clots and may relieve rheumatism. Cinnamon may lower blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

Avoid practitioners who promote treatments as “cure-alls.” Consumer Protection Before using CAM, consult reliable sources to evaluate the scientific basis of claimed benefits and any risks or contraindications. Avoid practitioners who promote treatments as “cure-alls.” Some therapies, such as acupuncture, have been widely studied, but there is little quality research to support claims for nutraceuticals and food supplements. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

U.S. Pharmacopeia The FDA has instituted new regulations to oversee the manufacture of dietary supplements, including herbal supplements. Regulations require manufacturers to evaluate the identity, purity, strength, and composition of the supplements to ensure they contain what the label claims. The U.S. Pharmacopeia is a nongovernmental public standards-setting authority for prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other health care products. It verifies the quality, purity, and potency of products voluntarily submitted for testing. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.