Alternative MedicineFrom TinWiki.org
Alternative Medicine, in the western world, covers any healing practice that does not fall into the realm of conventional medical practice. It is frequently grouped with complementary medicine, which is alternative therapies used in conjunction with mainstream techniques; this is normally referred to under the umbrella term complementary and alternative medicine or CAM. Alternative medicine practices are as diverse in their origins as in their methodologies. Practices may base themselves in traditional medicine, folk knowledge, spiritual beliefs, or newly conceived ideas in healing. Practices can be regulated and licensed where they are sufficiently widespread. Claims made by the alternative medicine community are rarely accepted by the traditional medical community; evidence-based assessment is not available for the safety of many of the therapies. Conventional practitioners may adopt alternative medicines if scientific investigation establishes the safety and effectiveness of the practices. Some refer to alternative medicine as non-evidence based medicine or not medicine at all. Studies have shown that as high as 31% of cancer patients in 13 countries use some form of complementary or alternative medicines. CAM is practiced all over the globe; European countries have CAM mostly administered by physicians, while in the US, only half is. In Germany, herbs are tightly regulated, with half prescribed by doctors and covered by health insurance.
[edit] DefinitionsThere is no set definition for alternative medicine, but it is usually described as practices used independently or in place of conventional medicine. The medical community describes it in many different ways.
The term integrative or integrated medicine refers to combinations of conventional and alternative medical treatments which have some scientific proof of effectiveness. The combination of conventional and complementary medicine with an emphasis on prevention and lifestyle changes is known as Integrated Health. [edit] ClassificationsThe National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) classifies complementary and alternative therapies into five major groups.
[edit] Concerns with Therapies
[edit] Limitations
[edit] Contemporary UseWhile using mainstream medicine for diagnosis and basic information, studies show that people turn to alternatives for what they believe to be health-enhancing measures. Studies indicate that alternative approaches are often used in conjunction with conventional medicine. Complementary therapies are often used in palliative care or by practitioners attempting to manage chronic pain patients. They are considered more acceptable in the interdisciplinary approach used in palliative care than in other areas of medicine. [edit] U.S.A 2002 survey co-conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that almost 75% of the participants used CAM. Almost 55% used CAM in conjunction with conventional medicine. Women were more likely to use CAM than men. And, the most common CAM therapy was prayer, with 45% of the participants saying they had utilized it for health reasons. [edit] EducationIncreasing numbers of medical schools in the US have started offering courses in alternative medicine. Similarly, they are widespread in European universities, mostly focused on clinical trials and research. In Britain, no conventional medical schools offer courses that teach the clinical practice of alternative medicine; alternative medicine is taught in several unconventional schools as part of their curriculum. [edit] Popular Therapies
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