What is complementary or alternative medicine?
"Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period. CAM includes all such practices and ideas self-defined by their users as preventing or treating illness or promoting health and well-being."
Defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicines (NCCAM)
What is integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there is some high-quality evidence of safety and effectiveness. It is also called integrated medicine.
Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)Complementary or Alternative Medicine (CAM) has only recently in its history been deemed an "alternative" approach. Traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine dates back nearly 4000 years, and organic forms of medicinal compounds have been in use by the human race what seems like 11,000 years. Today, more than 74 percent of the world's human population relies solely on botanical medicine and traditional healing for their care and survival. |
Why CAM?
Complementary therapies offer a different therapeutic approach to healing. Many choose CAM because of the previous failure of conventional therapies, proven efficacy of treatment (acupuncture with pain, etc) out of moral principles, or out of simple preference. CAM therapies have gained the reputation of being more effective with chronic treatment than allopathy, whereas allopathy has always been valued for its acute-care intervention and technology.
Many people choose CAM therapies because they are considered gentler and produce fewer side effects when used skillfully and accurately.