Alternative medicine practices are as diverse in their foundations as in their methodologies. Practices may incorporate or base themselves on traditional medicine, folk knowledge, spiritual beliefs, or newly conceived approaches to healing. Jurisdictions where alternative medical practices are sufficiently widespread may license and regulate them. The claims made by alternative medicine practitioners are generally not accepted by the medical community because evidence-based assessment is not available for the safety and efficacy of many of these practices. If scientific investigation establishes the safety and effectiveness of an alternative medical practice, it may be adopted by conventional practitioners. Because alternative techniques tend to lack evidence, some have advocated defining it as non-evidence based medicine, or not medicine at all. Some researchers have noted that the evidence-based approach to defining CAM is problematic because some CAM is tested, and research suggests that many mainstream medical techniques lack solid evidence.[8]
Below are listed systems within complimentary health:
Ayurveda-
Ayurveda: "This comprehensive system of medicine, with ancient medical textbooks dating 5,000 and 6,000 years ago, places equal emphasis on body, mind, and spirit. Defined literally as Knowledge or Science of Life, teachers also define it as Knowledge of Life for Longevity, Knowledge of how to surf the ever changing waves of Life successfully, and Mother of Healing. The goal is to restore the natural harmony of the individual. An Ayurvedic doctor identifies an individual's constitution or overall health profile and imbalances by ascertaining the patient's metabolic (dosha) body type (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) through a series of personal history questions, pulse, tongue, nail and other tools. The patient's imbalances in context of constitution also then becomes the foundation of a specific treatment plan designed to guide the individual back into harmony with his or her environment. This plan may include dietary changes, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, herbal tonics, and other remedies."[3]
Chiropractic is a popular form of alternative medicine in which the most commonly utilized intervention is spinal manipulation. Some chiropractors maintain that their spinal adjustments move vertebrae to release pressure on spinal nerves to improve health. "This care involves the adjustment of the spine and joints to influence the body’s nervous system and natural defense mechanisms to alleviate pain and improve general health. It is primarily used to treat back problems, headaches, nerve inflammation, muscle spasms, and other injuries and traumas."[3]
Herbalism is the practice of making or prescribing herbal remedies for medical conditions.
Homeopathy-
Homeopathy is an alternative medical practice founded on similars. The underlying theory is that disease states are cured by remedies which produce, on a healthy person, similar effects to the symptoms of the patient's complaint. "For example, someone suffering from insomnia may be given a homeopathic dose of coffee. Administered in diluted form, homeopathic remedies are derived from many natural sources, including plants, metals, and minerals. Numbering in the thousands, these remedies have been used to treat a wide variety of ailments including seasonal allergies, asthma, influenza, headaches, and indigestion."[3]
Naturopathy is the eclectic practice of Naturopathic Doctors (N.D.) using many different natural therapies as treatment. The original method of treatment of Naturopathy was the water cure.
The group of philosophies embodied by Chinese medicine are, more accurately, referred to as Oriental Medicine with roots in many different Asian countries. This millennia-old Asian medical tradition works to bring balance to the body through acupuncture, massage, Eastern herbalism, diet; and lifestyle changes such as martial arts and meditation.
1. Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House, p 7. ISBN 1565656261.
2. Definition of Complementary medicine, MedicineNet.com
3. White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy, Chapter 2, March 2002.
4. Ernst E. Complementary medicine: Common misconceptions. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 1995;88(5):244-247.
5. Joyce CR . Placebo and complementary medicine. Lancet 1994;344(8932):1279-1281.
6. Cassileth BR, Deng G. (2004) [Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer http://www.theoncologist.com/cgi/content/full/9/1/80] The Oncologist PMID 14755017
7. Elsevier Science - Interview with Edzard Ernst, editor of The Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
8. Kopelman LM (2004). The Role of Science in Assessing Conventional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines. In: The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Accommodating Pluralism (Hastings Center Studies in Ethics Series, Callahan D, editor). Washington, D.C: Georgetown University Press, 36-53. ISBN 1-58901-016-7.