Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities are widely used as stand‐alone treatments, in combination, and integrated with conventional healthcare treatments. The 14 most widely used CAM modalities are reviewed. These are dietary supplements; meditation; chiropractic; aromatherapy; massage therapy; yoga; progressive muscle relaxation; spirituality, religion and prayer; dance movement therapy; acupuncture; reiki; biofeedback; hypnosis; and music therapy. Their uses, potential benefits, research support, limitations, and possible contraindications are reviewed. Recommendations for their use are made to include a careful review of the relevant literature to determine their appropriateness for different treatment needs, consultation, and when needed appropriate referrals. The article can be found here .

  The Past, Present and Future of Herbal Medicine Orthodox versus Complementary and Alternative Medicine Herbal medicines are well sought by the general public worldwide. Since these products have significant pharmacological activity, and thus potential adverse effects and drug interactions, healthcare professionals must be familiar with this therapeutic modality. This article gives an account of the origins of herbal medicines and their transformation into modern medicine. It also highlights what knowledge should be required by the healthcare professional to deal with the ever increasing number of interested consumers. Orthodox versus Complementary and Alternative Medicine Medical herbalism is the practice of healing with medicinal plants. Modern orthodox (western, allopathic) treatment is different from medical herbalism (alternative therapy), but at some instances these two merge. Such examples include the use of Friar’s balsam or benzoin tincture (mainly from  Styrax benzo...

Alternative medicine  is any practice that aims to achieve the healing effects of  medicine , but which lacks  biological plausibility  and is  untested ,  untestable  or proven ineffective.  Complementary medicine  ( CM ),  complementary and alternative medicine  ( CAM ),  integrated medicine  or  integrative medicine  ( IM ), and  holistic medicine  are among many  rebrandings  of the same phenomenon. Alternative therapies share in common that they reside outside  medical science , and rely on  pseudoscience .  Traditional practices  become "alternative" when used outside their original settings without proper scientific explanation and evidence. Frequently used derogatory terms for the alternative are  new-age  or  pseudo , with little distinction from  quackery . Some alternative practices are based on theories that contradict the science of how the ...