From Infocus Newsletter Vol. 13 No. 1, March 2005
Persons contacting AARDA usually are reaching out for help in several directions; and many have questions about possible alternatives, or enhancements, to the conventional paths they are following. Such sources of information are gradually opening up, and it not always easy to point to one direction because complementary and alternative choices are varied. Let explore the topic, with help from the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM--pronounced "encam")Institute.
Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined by NCCAM, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. The list of what is considered to be "complementary" and "alternative" medicine changes continually as those therapies that are proved to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge. While some scientific evidence exists regarding some complementary and alternative medicine therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies--such as whether they are safe and whether they work for the diseases or medical conditions for which they are used.
Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other? Yes, they are different.
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. For example, using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient discomfort following surgery would be a complement to conventional medicine.
Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.
What is integrative medicine? As defined by NCCAM, integrative medicine combines mainstream medical therapies and complementary and alternative therapies for which there is some high quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.
What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine? NCCAM classifies complementary and alternative medicine therapies into five categories, or domains.
Alternative Medical Systems - These 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 (practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years).
Mind-Body Interventions - This category uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered complementary and alternative in the past have become mainstream--for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavior therapy. However, other mind-body techniques are still considered complementary or alternative, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
Biologically Based Therapies - These therapies used substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, herbal products, and the use of other so-called "natural" but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (e.g., using shark cartilage to treat cancer).
Manipulative and Body-Based Methods - These are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation and massage.
Energy Therapies - Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. There are two types. 1. 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 hands in, or through, these fields. Examples are qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch. 2. Bioelectroimagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct current fields.
What is NCCAM role in the field of complementary and alternative medicine? NCCAM is the Federal Government lead agency for scientific research on complementary and alternative medicine. NCCAM mission is to explore complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, to train complementary and alternative medicine researchers, and to inform the public and health professionals about the results of complementary and alternative medicine research studies.
For more information, contact NCCAM Clearinghouse: toll-free, 1-888-644-6226; international, 301-519-3153; TTY, 1-866-464-3615; Web site, nccam.nih.gov.
--Source: Excerpted from NCCAM Publication No. D156, May 2002 (current as of January 4, 2005)
