Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine which are abbreviated as CAM and CIM respectively are therapies that have and are still being used to treat various health problems. The health practices that are undertaken under CAM health practices are not considered to be part of conventional medicine (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,2009). These practices include, Ayurvedic medicine, Chiropractic, Meditation, Yoga, Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese medicine, Biofeedback, Homeopathy, and Diet-based therapies.
The practices are diverse in their methodologies and foundations. Many health practices that are related to CAM and CIM are based on spiritual beliefs, traditional medicine, new approaches to healing, and folk knowledge. Discussion The term “Alternative medicine” refers to therapeutic approaches that are taken as an alternative to conventional medicine. Complementary medicine refers to therapies that complement the western traditional medicine. Combining the complementary and alternative medicine results to Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM).
CAM has been criticized by medical practitioners in the conventional medicine field. The practitioners claim that the CAM lacks evidence-based assessment that promotes the safety and efficacy of the health practices. Despite these claims, CAM has continued to be embraced in many regions all over the world. Complementary and Integrative Medicine does not replace conventional therapy, but it combines complementary supplements and approaches with conventional medicine health practices (Wisneski and Lucy, 2005).
CIM is used to improve treatment efficacy, manage symptoms, and to increase an individuals’ wellbeing.This approach advocates for appropriate use of alternative and conventional methods to facilitate the healing response of the body. In addition, the practice puts into consideration all factors that promote good health. These factors include; body, community, mind, and spirit.
CIM embraces medical practices that are based on good science and promote and prevent illness. It is important to note that, integrative medicine does not reject conventional and alternative medicine, but it promotes good practices that are found in both approaches.The CAM is not an integral part of conventional medicine, and the practices in this approach keep changing (Goldberg et al, 2002). The changes occur as therapies and practices are proven effective and safe so as to become acceptable as mainstream healthcare practices.
In the contemporary world, CAM practices can be classified into five groups; mind-body interventions, Energy therapies, Alternative medical systems, biologically-based treatments, and the manipulative and body-based methods.Alternative medical systems consist of techniques and methods such as herbal medicine, oriental massage, acupuncture, Ayurveda, naturopathy ad homeopathy. These systems have evolved independent of conventional biomedical approach (National Institutes of Health, 2009). Majority are traditional systems which can be found in various cultures, especially in Asian cultures. Mind-body interventions include art therapy, dance, mental healing, and prayer.
These interventions facilitate the mind to affect the bodily functions or even symptoms.The biological based therapies promote individual, herbal, special dietary and orthomolecular therapies. The manipulative and body based methods involve the manipulation of the body movements (chiropractic, massage, and osteopath). Energy therapies relate to the biofields and include; therapeutic touch, Reiki, and Qi gong. Despite being criticized as lacking evidence for safety and efficacy, complementary and alternative medicine has become very popular in the US (Eisenberg et al, 1998).
The number of people who are opting for CAM continues to increase each day.This can be attributed to several factors. One major contribution factor to the popularity and use of complementary and alternative medicine is technological advancement, more especially the internet. The internet has overcome geographical, social and cultural barriers to have information reach millions of people all over the world. The Americans use the internet at a very high rate. The information about CAM continues to reach a large number of Americans each day and the knowledge they gain about CAM has encouraged about 38 per cent of Americans and about 12 per cent of children use CAM.
High costs of conventional medical care have made Americans who cannot afford the conventional medical care services to choose CAM as an alternative. CAM health services are in most cases lower in costs, making them convenient for those who cannot afford medical care services in established hospitals t. Also many Americans are now opting for products or services that use natural products or ingredients (Trudeau, 2006). Majority of CAM products are natural as compared to the conventional medicine.
CAM uses natural products and has minimal use of manufactured drugs.Many Americans prefer CAM to avoid unnatural medical products offered in conventional medicine. Despite all these, the acceptance of CAM in the US has been hindered. One reason why CAM has not been accepted is lack of evidence based assessment like in the conventional medicine.
This has made CAM to be considered as not safe for patients. They are seen to lack scientific evidence that guarantees patients their safety . Another factor that hinders the acceptance of CAM is the opinion that they are less effective than the conventional medicine.Because they are not patented, CAM health practices are considered to be easily contaminated, which then lowers their efficiency. Furthemore, CAM sometimes lack political support, and this makes it difficult for it to be accepted fully because the leaders fail to grant their support through laws that they formulate.
In addition, the leaders may be protecting the business interest of pharmaceutical companies that produce conventional drugs especially if the leaders are shareholders in the companies. The internet and other primary sources of information on CAM have assisted me to learn a lot about CAM.Although CAM has been criticized as lacking scientific evidence and not safe, it offers to us health practices that have been working for hundred of years in different cultures. This no doubt should motivate us to adopt CAM health practices that can compliment conventional health practices. There is need for people however to understand the merits and demerits of the CAM so that they can make sound decisions about their health when it comes to choosing between conventional or CAM health practices.
ConclusionIn the contemporary world, the issue of how natural a product is has become very important. In addition, how safe and effective health services and products are to an individuals’ health have become an issue of great concern to the people. In efforts to avoid products that expose people to health risks due to the chemical content, people are opting for the most natural products. People are turning to CAM due to its natural treatment methods and products. On the other hand, their safety and efficiency are being questioned.
Despite this, there is need for the medical field to adopt the safest, most effective, and more natural health practices.
