Alternative medicine practices are used instead of standard
medical treatments. Alternative medicine is distinct from complementary
medicine which is meant to accompany, not to replace, standard medical
practices. Alternative medical practices are generally not recognized by
the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches.
Alternative medicine includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins,
herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, and
spiritual healing.
What are complementary and alternative medicine therapies?
Complementary and alternative medicine therapies fall into five major categories, or domains:
Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative 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 alternative medical systems that have developed in
Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine.
Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include
traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Mind-Body Interventions
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
meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative
outlets such as art, music, or dance.
Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature,
such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary
supplements,3 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 Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation
and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include
chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.
Energy Therapies
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 gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.
Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the
unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields,
magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.
