The Benefits of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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In today’s world, many people assume that the latest medical technology and treatments are always the best option. However, all over the world, different techniques for curing diseases and aliments are being used. These methods fall under the category of complementary and alternative medicine.

According to Sandra Augustyn Lawton in Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Teens, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be defined as “a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine” (Lawton, 2007, p.3). Although complementary and alternative medicines are often interpreted as the same thing, complementary methods are used in coordination with conventional methods and alternative methods are used in place of conventional methods of medicine (Lawton, 2007, p.3). Another method used is integrative medicine, which uses conventional medicine and CAM together because there is proven scientific evidence to support that the treatment plan is safe and effective (Lawton, 2007, p.3). Complementary and alternative medicines are used throughout the world in many different countries, some more specifically than others.

CAMs can be divided into various categories. These include natural products, mind-body medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, and whole medical systems (National Center, 2011, para.4). Each of these categories include a variety of practices, medicine, and medical treatments.

Natural products include dietary supplements and probiotics. Dietary supplements can be anything from multivitamins to supplemental herbs. Probiotics are live bacteria that are found in the digestive tract (National Center, 2011, para.6). H...

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Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Introduction [NCCAM Backgrounder]. (n.d.).National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] - nccam.nih.gov Home Page. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/chinesemed.htm

What Is Osteopathic Medicine?.(n.d.).American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from www.aacom.org/about/osteomed/Pages/default.aspx

What is Music Therapy | What is Music Therapy? | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). (n.d.).American Music Therapy Association | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/

What is the Alexander Technique?.(n.d.).The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique. Retrieved December 14, 2011, from http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm

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