1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine: New Choices and Responsibilities for Healthwise Consumers

2. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Complementary medicine
Used together with conventional medicine
Also called allopathy, Western, mainstream, orthodox, biomedicine
Alternative medicine
In place of conventional medicine
Generally incorporates a holistic approach, focus on treating whole body and mind
Changes as some CAM practices become more mainstream
Used widely throughout the world

3. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Who uses it?
36% of adults in U.S. used CAM within the past 12 months
More women than men
People with higher education levels
Those hospitalized within the last year
Former smokers
People with back, neck, head, joint aches or other painful conditions
Those with gastrointestinal disorders or sleeping problems

4. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
CAM in the U.S. today
Relaxation
Chiropractic
Massage
Self-help
Energy healing
Other therapies

5. Reasons Adults in the United States Use CAM
Figure 17.1

6. Alternative Medical Systems
Traditional Chinese medicine
Proper balance of Qi (“chi”)
Acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, qigong
Ayurveda
Traditional in India
“Science of life”
Homeopathy
“Like cures like”
Herbal medicine, minerals, and chemicals in diluted forms

7. Alternative Medical Systems
Naturopathy
Restore health rather than cure disease
Diet, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, manipulation, light therapy, therapeutic counseling, pharmacology
Have you ever used one of these non-traditional practices?

8. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Major domains of CAM (nonallopathic)
Manipulative and body-based practices
Energy medicine
Mind-body medicine
Biologically based practices

9. The Domains of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Figure 17.2

10. Manipulative and Body Based Practices
Chiropractic medicine
Massage therapy
Body work
Feldenkrais
Rolfing
Shiatsu
Trager bodywork

11. Energy Medicine Energy medicine Biofields Qigong Reiki
Therapeutic touch

12. Energy Medicine Acupuncture
Needles inserted at critical points (meridians)
Qualifications
Many get relief
Acupressure
Uses pressure instead of needles

13. Mind-Body Medicine Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
Excessive stress can lead to immune system dysfunction
Activities that involve quieting the mind

14. Biologically Based Practices
Most controversial
Many claims do not have evidence
Herbal remedies
Tinctures
Ginkgo biloba
St. John’s wort
Echinacea
Ginseng
Green tea
Ephedra (Ma Huang)

15. Biologically Based Practices
Special supplements
Muscle enhancers
Glucosamine
SAMe
Antioxidants

17. Biologically Based Practices
Foods as healing agents
Functional foods
Nutraceuticals

18. ABC News: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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| Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Discussion Questions
How popular have male sexual enhancement products become over the last five years?
Have these products been proven safe and effective by the FDA?
Why did supplement manufacturers lobby so heavily to get the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act passed?

19. Biologically Based Practices
Common healing foods
Plant sterol
Oat fiber
Sunflower
Soy protein
Garlic
Ginger
Yogurt

20. Protecting Consumers and Regulating Claims
Strategies to protect health
Talk to your doctor
Do your homework
Advocate for more stringent FDA approval
“USP Dietary Supplement Verified” seal

21. Assessing the Risks and Benefits of CAM Treatments
Figure 17.3

22. Protecting Consumers and Regulating Claims
Looking to science for more answers
1993 Congress established Office of Alternative Medicine
Now the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Budget to do own research

23. Healthy Living in the New Millennium
Enlisting support from insurers and providers
More hiring of alternative practitioners
Some optional insurance riders
Gaining support from medical community

24. Healthy Living in the New Millennium
Self-care
Consult only reliable sources – texts, journals, periodicals
Remember that natural does not equal safe
Realize no one is monitoring herbal supplements
Dosage levels may vary in herbal products
Tell your doctor – interactions could occur
Look for the word standardized or “USP Dietary Supplement Verified”