CAM Therapeutic Modalities

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) definition is difficult since its practices sometimes, and most of the times, intertwine with those of conventional medicine. Political influences and ethical issues play a greater role in definition of CAM. Complementary medicine is a form of health problem management carried out alongside with conventional medicine to solve health problems better or faster. Complementary medicine is not regarded as a threat to conventional medicine practices hence complementary medicine practitioners can work hand in hand with conventional medicine practitioners in management of the health related problems. In complementary medicine, products used in the management of the health related problem can be administered simultaneously with those used in conventional medicine. An example of complementary medical practice used in comforting a patient after surgery is aromatherapy.

Alternative medicine is a form of health problem management practice that is offered in place of the conventional medicine practice in management of a certain health related problem. An example of alternative medicine in management of cancer is use of diet instead of using cancer chemotherapy. Alternative medicine is regarded as a threat to conventional medicine unlike complementary medicine (NCCAM, 2012). Alternative medicine products and services cannot be administered alongside with those for conventional medicine. Combining the complementary and alternative medicine products and services in the management of health related services with conventional medicine products and services is referred to as integrated medicine in UK, and integrative medicine in the U.S. Integrative/integrated medicine is mission-oriented such that it does not focus on disease or treatment but it focuses on the wellbeing of the patient (NCCAM, 2012).

The philosophy of CAM is that it is considered holistic such that CAM professionals consider the patient’s mental, emotional and physical aspects. CAM is considered preventive such that instead of only curing a disease, CAM can also be used to prevent attack from diseases. CAM professionals teach the clients on how to prevent themselves from disease attack (Heller et al, 2005). The philosophy of CAM and that of the conventional medicine are similar in that they all aim at eliminating disease and also disease prevention.

CAM therapies can be classified just as conventional medicine is categorized into nursing, community health care providers, physicians and other allied professional in health care provision into five domains such as energy based therapies, body based and manipulative therapies, mind-body medicine, natural products and alternative whole systems in medical provision. Complementary and alternative medicine is categorized so as to facilitate policy making and research in patient access, risk and regulation management. Categorization of CAM is somewhat difficult since some health management practices in CAM are not clearly defined from those offered in conventional medicine (NCCAM, 2012).

Use of natural products is one of the CAM domain in which herbs are either used to cure or prevent diseases or they are used as food supplements. Natural products also include some products like probiotics which facilitate food digestion in the digestive tract and also help in prevention of disease contraction. Body and mind interaction is another domain that is used in the management of health problems through CAM. This domain involves yoga, deep breathing and exercises. This domain can be used as a complement medicine in management of diseases such as hypertension. Body based manipulative practices is another domain of CAM that includes massage and it focuses on the systems and structures of the body which are affected by diseases or pain (NCCAM, 2012). They are mostly involved in management of pain. Energy based domain involves counseling and intercessory prayers. The last domain involved combining the therapeutic practices in CAM and convectional medicine such as management of high blood pressure with change of diet and lifestyle (Muskin, 2000).

References

Heller, T., Lee-Treweek, G., Katz, J., Stone, J & Spurr, S. (2005). Perspectives on complementary and alternative medicine. London: Routledge.

Muskin, P. R. (2000). Complementary and alternative medicine psychiatry. Washington, DC. American Psychiatry Press.

NCCAM, (2012). National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Retrieved May 22, 2012 from http://nccam.nih.gov/