Holistic Alternative Medicine

Holistic alternative medicine is gaining popularity as people once again embrace the holistic approach to healing. Some medical institutions are coming on board and are incorporating complementary alternative medicine into their systems. This is good news!

Complementary and alternative medicine, commonly known as CAM, are terms that describe different types of holistic medicine. It includes all kinds of alternative medicine except for what is usually considered part of conventional medicine, such as drugs and surgery.

CAM includes health care products, practices and systems that are usually non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical.

There are three main categories of CAM that have various levels of acceptance by the medical community. Acceptance changes as methods gain the backing of research and become more familiar.

Many medical doctors are either unfamiliar with CAM techniques or do not accept them as valid medical practices until there is sufficient scientific research to support them. Therefore, a technique, such as acupuncture or patient support groups, can and have moved from one category to another.

Alternative Medicine

Instead of seeking conventional treatment, people use alternative methods such as acupuncture, reiki or herbalism to promote wellness.

Complementary Medicine

Alternate medicine is used along with or in addition to conventional treatments. Generally, conventional medicine is the primary treatment and it is supplemented with alternative methods.

This can be an ideal situation as either or both types of medicine can be used together to help you achieve better health. Please advise your doctor of any holistic remedies or methods you are using. Some herbs, for example, can interact unfavorably with drugs and cause adverse reactions.

Integrative or Integrated Medicine

Your treatment plan will use a combination of conventional and holistic alternative medicine. Evidence of effectiveness and safety are necessary before these alternative methods will be used.

Conventional medical institutions are now integrating holistic medicine into their education and treatment protocols in response to patient expectations. More therapies are added as they are proven effective by research.

What are the Main Types of Complementary Alternative Medicine?

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine established groups of methods under CAM. Some methods could easily fall into one group or another.

Whole Medical Systems

These are complete systems of medicine. Generally, they were practiced before conventional medicine came into being and are separate from it. These are still practiced today.

Ayureveda (India), Traditional Chinese Medicine, naturopathy (US and Canada) and homeopathy are examples of Whole Medical Systems classified as holistic alternative medicine.

Mind-Body Medicine

Mind-body practices use the power of the mind to affect bodily function and symptoms. Meditation, prayer, meridian tapping techniques, yoga, hypnosis and therapies that use art, music and dance are common examples.
Learn about the mind body medicine and healing in the Mind Body Connection Primer.

Biologically Based Practices

As the name implies, natural substances such as herbal remedies and teas, foods, and vitamins are used to promote health.

Manipulative and Body Based

These methods use manipulation and/or movement of body parts. Therapy usually focuses on the structures and systems of the body, including bones, joints, soft tissues, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Some of the more well-known methods include chiropractic, massage, rolfing and reflexology. Many of these techniques are performed by licensed practitioners.

• Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies
  • This energy can be measured and controlled. Some of these therapies are well supported by research such as using ultraviolet light for psoriasis and pacemakers for the heart. Other methods are more unconventional and may have some support for some uses, but not others.

    Examples include magnet therapy, sound healing and electro-accupunture, now called bioresonance therapy.

• Biofield therapies
  • Commonly known as energy healing, this category is the most controversial of the energy therapies because scientists haven't yet proven the existence of the fields or provide reproducible results. Yet these therapies aregrowing in popularity.

    Quantum physics and new research supports evidence of these fields. Basically, these methods are used with the intention of affecting the human energy field that is within and around the body. This also applies to plants and animals.

    The goal is to unblock and rebalance the field. Techniques may use no touching of the body at all. Others work by applying pressure or placing hands on the body. Reiki, therapeutic touch, acupuncture and distant healing and prayer are biofield therapies.

  
  The holistic alternative medicine field is growing rapidly as more people become aware of using a holistic approach and doctors integrate it into their treatment plans. Just keep in mind that for there to truly be a holistic approach in medicine, your treatment plan must address you as a whole person.
  
  
  
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