Posts Tagged ‘Complementary’
Why Do People Use Complementary and alternative medicine?
How Is CAM Different From Conventional Medicine?
Conventional medicine (also called “allopathic medicine”) is based on scientific knowledge of the body and uses treatments that have been proven effective through scientific research. Doctors are trained to have a thorough knowledge of the body’s systems, diseases, and their treatments.
Complementary and alternative medicine is based on the belief that a medical care provider has to treat the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. The techniques used in CAM are mostly less invasive than conventional medical practices — meaning that they don’t rely on surgery or conventional medications.
Some CAM therapies are supported by scientific evidence. But for many there are still questions that need to be addressed through scientific studies. This doesn’t mean these therapies don’t work, it just means that experts haven’t studied them enough to know for sure that they do — and if so, how.
Why Do People Use CAM?
People often turn to CAM when they have a long-lasting problem that conventional medicine hasn’t completely cured. For example, someone who has seen a doctor for years about persistent headaches might try using CAM in addition to current treatments to deal with any symptoms or side effects from conventional treatments.
People may also use complementary and alternative medicine when they’re not sick. Because many people believe that CAM techniques — such as yoga — can improve overall well being, healthy people often use alternative medicine to try to prevent illness or to ensure a healthier lifestyle.
What Is It?
The term “alternative medicine” is used to describe healing treatments that are not part of conventional medical training — like acupuncture, massage therapy, or herbal medicine. People used to consider practices like these outside the mainstream, which is why they got the name “alternative.”
Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Going to the doctor is not like it used to be. In olden times doctors visits were more personalized and in depth. Now traditional medicine is very impersonal and doctors send you home with up to 5 prescriptions that you need to start taking right away. The only problem is you will return next week because of all the side affects that you have from all the medicine the doctor prescribed you in the first place and your original problem still won’t be solved. Unfortunately, the reason behind all the new prescriptions is because of all the kickbacks that doctors get for prescribing them. Although, these medications don’t help the patients and will undoubtedly cause more symptoms. So many Americans have started looking towards complementary and alternative medicine.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical practices that are not generally accepted by conventional medicine, conventional medicine being medicine practiced by an M.D., D.O., psychologist, registered nurse, or physical therapist. This group of medicine is continually changing and types of medicine are very broad, however the ultimate goal of this type of medicine is find whole body health and wellness. The principals and guidelines for each individual type of CAM although diverse are based on holistic properties, whereby treating the body as a whole and resolving the underlying problems are far more important in the long run rather than just reducing the symptoms.
CAM involves the connection between the mind and body and not only relieves symptoms but works to resolve the underlying problems as well. Although, used in conjunction with one another, complementary and alternative medicines are two completely different groups of medicine. Complementary medicine unlike its cohort is used in conjunction with traditional medicine. Therefore the treatment or medicine complements conventional means of resolving pain, disease or illness. Where as alternative medicine, is used in place of conventional medicine to promote self-healing, and preventative medicine.
Complementary Medicine Programs – an Integrative Approach to Healthcare
Complementary medicine programs offer candidates an integrative and holistic perspective to health and healing; and enable practitioners to apply this vast knowledge to already-established practices. In addition, medical graduates who are seeking post-graduate studies find that acquiring supplemental courses like these help to enhance overall care that goes into treating patients on the whole.
With the changing times, there has been an increased interest in natural and alternative medicine treatments, which has ultimately been a major factor in the surge of complementary medicine programs now available throughout the United States and abroad. Depending on where your interest lies, there is an abundance of healing arts programs from which to choose, including in-depth training in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, chiropractic, and massage therapy, among other related fields.
Complementary medicine programs are more popular today than in the past in part due to the fact that the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has been and continues to research many of the integrative healthcare treatments available today; including whole medical systems like homeopathic medicine, naturopathy and Ayurveda.
Mind-body medicine therapies that are frequently taught in complementary medicine programs have become accepted forms of mainstream health treatment, according to NCCAM. Some of these studies involve Qi gong, Tai Chi, meditation, hypnosis, yoga and biofeedback – to list just a few.
Other popular complementary medicine programs teach students a broad range of holistic medicines including botanical/herbal medicine, dietary supplementation, nutritional counseling, and other wellness topics.
Taking an integrative healthcare approach to health and healing has always been one of the many philosophies of complementary and holistic medicine therapies. This is also why there are a number of complementary medicine programs that are offered as continuing education courses or elective classes to professional medical healthcare providers and allied healthcare givers.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Diabetics should look after their feet ( Alternative Medicine )
It is confirmed that the health of diabetic patient’s feet is very important and any injury or bruise, the size of a spot may cause problems right down to the bone and cause gangrene, so diabetics should take care of their feet from shoes to socks and nails to heels. Experts stated at a press conference that for diabetics the most vulnerable organ is their feet. The feet are the organs which are most exposed so when the flow of blood slows at the feet they start to lose sensitivity. An expert claims that even a little bruise might leave the feet more vulnerable to future injuries so diabetics should protect their feet:
”Your feet should be washed every night with warm water, be dried thoroughly and moisturised. After sports and walking, the underside of the feet should be checked with a mirror to ensure there are no bruises. Socks musn’t be too big or too small, musn’t be scrunched up or torn. Shoes should be made from soft leather, with smooth inside and not pointed or tapered at the front. Toe nails should be cut short. Nails should be cut straight across, not rounded.” ( Alternative Medicine )
Experts warn that if diabetic people don’t take these warnings seriously and don’t follow these guidelines they may lose their feet or legs, “treatment is too difficult and lengthy. If injuries don’t heal properly, even a little bruise the size of a spot can reach the bone and become gangrene and can cause loss of toes or whole feet.”
Alternative Medicine
Use of Complementary Medicine
Complementary Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines to restore and maintain health in addition to conventional medicine. Dating back to 420 B.C., around the time of Hippocrates, complementary medicine is also considered a practice beyond the realm of conventional modern medicine – naturopathy, chiropractic, Ayurvedic, homeopathy, acupuncture and so many other complementary medicine treatments are steadily in demand and on the rise.
Because our bodies are composed of chemical and physical reactions, holistic practitioners affirm that illness is not directly caused by pathogens such as viruses or bacterium; instead is the consequence of the body’s reaction (in an effort to shield and heal itself) to a pathogen. Naturopathic and holistic doctors assist potential clients through complementary medicine by plainly alleviating symptoms of disease. Complementary medicine can treat most conditions like headaches, sore throats, flu and cold, indigestion, ear infections, dermatitis, urinary tract infections, sprains and strains. Some chronic conditions such as migraines, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, muscle-skeletal pain, depression, stress, and even pregnancy and childbirth may be treated with complementary medicine as well.
Complementary medicine teaches proper nutrition in conjunction with vitamin and mineral supplements. Plants and herbs are commonly used in alternative medicine to treat illness, as well as remedies produced from animals and minerals. Hydrotherapy and hypnotherapy are also utilized in complmentary medicine for maximum benefits. All in all, complementary medicine improves mental, emotional, and physical health. It encourages psychic and spiritual growth, and an overwhelming sense of wellness.
You can read more about complementary medicine here at Holistic Junction where you will find a broad spectrum of complementary medicine articles, information and complementary medicine directories.
