An Overview Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine

What is complementary and alternative medicine?practitioner sees himself or herself as a teacher
Complementary and alternative medicine usuallyand mentor to guide you. You are the one who
refers to practices that are not integrated intodoes the healing.
conventional medicine. Treatments in the categoryThere are five broad categories the National
of complementary and alternative medicine areInstitute of Health uses for classification of
constantly changing. Treatments change whentherapies used by complementary and alternative
studies prove them to be effective or not.medicine practitioners, they are:
Some of the treatments used in complementaryÂ- Healing Systems
and alternative medicine are:Â- Mind-Body Connections
Â- HomeopathyÂ- Dietary Supplements and Herbs
Â- AyurvedaÂ- Manipulation and Touch
Â- AcupunctureÂ- Energy Therapies
Â- HerbsContrary to what you might think, most doctors
Are the treatments safe and will they work?are not opposed to complementary and
Educate yourself before starting any newalternative medicine. About half the doctors in the
complementary and alternative medicineUnited States refer people to complementary and
treatment, and always tell your doctor which onesalternative practitioners.
you are trying.On the dark side is that some alternative medicine
The two terms complementary and alternativepractitioners make exaggerated claims about
are often grouped together; however, they arecuring disease. They may ask you to forsake
not necessarily the same thing.treatment from your conventional doctor to use
An example of a complementary treatmenttheir unproven treatments. It is true also that
would be something used along with thesome forms of alternative medicine can even
conventional therapies your doctor prescribes.hurt you. It is wise to educate yourself before
Alternative therapies are generally something usedusing treatments, and always discuss your plans
instead of conventional methods. An example ofto use alternative and/or conventional treatments
an alternative therapy or treatment might bewith your personal physician. Your doctor most
seeing a homeopath or naturopath instead oflikely is the best source to help you sort out the
your regular doctor.good from the bad.
Some complementary and alternative medicineSource: Mayo clinic (2006)
practitioners use similar principles to what yourDisclaimer: *These statements have not been
conventional doctor might do. Others might beevaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
quite different. The basic philosophies ofThis article is not meant to diagnose, treat or
complementary and alternative medicine include:cure any kind of a health problem. Always consult
Â- Your body heals itselfwith your health care provider about any kind of
Â- Prevention is the most importanta health problem.
elementThis article is FREE to publish with the resource
Â- Learning and healing go together. Thebox. This article was written (2-2007).
complementary and alternative medicine