Biologically Based Practices: An Overview 

What Is CAM? 

Introduction 

There  are many terms used to describe approaches to health care that are outside  the realm  of conventional medicineMedicine  as practiced  by holders of M.D. (medical doctor)  or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees  and by their allied health professionals  such as physical therapists, psychologists,  and registered nurses. as practiced in the United States. This fact sheet explains how the National Center for Complementary  and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health, defines some of the key terms used  in the field of complementary  and alternative medicine (CAM)A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and  products that  are not presently considered  to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine,  and alternative medicine is used in place  of conventional medicine.. Terms  that are underlined in the text  are defined at  the end of this fact sheet. 

What is CAM? 

CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that  are not generally considered  to be part  of conventional medicine. While scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet  to be answered through well-designed scientific studies—questions  such as whether these therapies  are safe and whether they work  for the purposes for which they are used. 

Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other? 

Yes, they are different. 

• Complementary medicine  is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapyA therapy in which  the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being. to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery. 
• Alternative medicine  is used  in place  of conventional medicine. An example  of an alternative therapy is using  a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended  by a conventional doctor. 

What is integrative medicine? 

Integrative medicine combines treatments from conventional medicine  and CAM for which there is evidence  of safety and effectiveness. It is also called integrated medicineAn approach to medicine that combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.. 

What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine? 

NCCAM groups CAM practices into four domains, recognizing there can be  some overlap. In addition, NCCAM studies CAM whole medical systems, which cut across all domains. 

Whole Medical Systems 

Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems  of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than  the conventional medical approach used  in the United States. Examples of whole medical systems that have developed  in Western cultures include homeopathic medicineA whole medical system that originated in Europe. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate  the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses  of highly diluted substances that  in larger doses would produce illness or symptoms (an approach called "like cures like").  and naturopathic medicineA whole medical system that originated in Europe. Naturopathy aims to support the body's ability to heal itself through the  use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies such as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation.. Examples of systems that  have developed  in non-Western cultures include traditional traditional Chinese medicineA whole medical system  that originated in China. It  is based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of qi  and imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. Practices such as herbs, meditation, massage, and acupuncture seek  to aid healing by restoring the yin-yang balance  and the flow of qi. and AyurvedaA whole medical system that originated in India. It aims  to integrate the body, mind,  and spirit to  prevent and treat disease. Therapies used include herbs, massage,  and yoga. 

Mind-Body Medicine 

Mind-body medicine uses  a variety  of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past  have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditationA conscious mental process using certain techniques—such as focusing attention  or maintaining a  specific posture—to suspend the stream of thoughts and relax the body and mind., prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets  such as art, music,  or dance. 

Biologically Based Practices 

Biologically based practices in CAM  use substances found  in nature, such as herbs, foods,  and vitamins. Some examples include  dietary supplements, herbal products, and  the use of other so-called natural but  as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer). 

Manipulative  and Body-Based Practices 

Manipulative  and body-based practices in CAM are based on manipulationThe application  of controlled force to a joint, moving it beyond  the normal range  of motion in an effort to aid  in restoring health. Manipulation may be performed as a part  of other therapies or whole medical systems, including chiropractic medicine, massage,  and naturopathy. and/or movement  of one or more parts of  the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulationA type of manipulation practiced by osteopathic physicians. It is combined with physical therapy and instruction  in proper posture.,  and massagePressing, rubbing, and moving muscles and other soft tissues  of the body, primarily  by using the hands and fingers. The aim is  to increase the flow  of blood and oxygen to  the massaged area. 

Energy Medicine 

Energy therapies involve the use  of energy fields. They  are of two types: 

• Biofield therapies  are intended  to affect energy fields that purportedly surround  and penetrate  the human body. The existence  of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy  therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing  the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gongA component  of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation, and controlled breathing. The intent is to improve blood flow and  the flow of qi., ReikiA therapy in which practitioners seek  to transmit a universal energy to a person, either from a distance or by placing their hands on or near that person. The intent is to heal  the spirit  and thus the body.,  and Therapeutic TouchA therapy in which practitioners pass their hands over another person's body with  the intent to use their own perceived healing energy to identify energy imbalances  and promote health..
• Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields. 

Notes: DrJMinor

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