This is my Overview of CAM Powerpoint for Unit 1

1. COMPLEMENTARY AND
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Professor Lee
SM260
Stress
Management

2. INTRODUCTION
 Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is considered
health care practices, products, or systems that do not fall
under “conventional medicine.” Conventional means well
established medical practices provided by health care
professionals in the medical field such as physicians, physical
therapists, and other professions that treat the physical
symptom of illness.
 The “complementary” wording means that the CAM practice is
used with conventional medicine.
 “Alternative” implies that the individual is replacing
conventional medicine with CAM practices.
 Integrative Medicine is the use of CAM and Conventional
Medicine when there has been studies that prove the safety
and ef fectiveness of the treatment (NCCAM, 2008).

3. T YPES OF CAM
 Natural Products: herbal medicine
(botanicals), vitamins, minerals, probiotics, dietary supplements.
 Mind and Body Medicine is the interaction between the
brain, mind, body, and behavior. The use of the mind is
incorporated to promote health. Examples would be:
meditation, acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, guided imagery, and deep
breathing exercises.
 Manipulative and Body Based Practices focus on the anatomy of
the body. Examples are: spinal manipulation (used to relieve
pain and increase positive functioning of the body) and massage
therapy (applying pressure to muscles and soft tissue of the body
to relieve pain, injuries, and increase relaxation) (NCCAM, 2008).

4. PRECAUTIONS
 Anyone can claim they are a professional that provides CAM
practices, so do your research.
 Before undergoing any treatment, request the health care
professional’s credentials in the field and look them up for
accreditation.
 Before taking a dietary supplement, herb, or vitamin, first ask
your physician if it will negatively af fect your prescribed
medications ef fectiveness. Also be honest with your
physician about the CAM practices you utilize, it could make a
dif ference in your treatment.
 Always research a CAM practice before you undergo one.
There may be complications, or risk factors that the
practitioner does not disclose to you. It is VERY important to
know what you are getting yourself into and if it is life
threatening (NCCAM, 2008).

5. POPULATIONS
 There are many diverse populations that try Complementary
and Alternative Medicine. Dif ferent cultures may believe that
the use of herbs by their ancestors is the only way to heal.
Due to this belief, conventional health care providers need to
take this into account and try to educate the patient about
their practices and how it would af fect them.
 Several physicians in conventional medicine are convinced
that their way of treating illness or disease is the ONLY
way, therefore they may not be open minded about what
patient’s religions or beliefs may tell them about treatment.
 What conventional medicine does not take into account is
that in order to heal the mind, body, and spirit all need to be
treated, not just the physical symptoms (NCCAM, 2008).

6. STATISTICS
 The 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) showed that
38% of adults used a form of CAM.
 The 2007 NHIS also showed that 17.7% of American adults
had used a nonvitamin/nonmineral natural product.
 The most commonly used natural product adults consumed
was fish oil at 37.4%.
 The 2007 NHIS showed that 12.7% of American adults used
deep breathing exercises, 6.1% had participated in yoga, and
9.4% had practiced meditation (NCCAM, 2008).

7. YOUR CHOICE
 No matter what treatments or practices you engage in, make
sure to not put yourself in danger. Educate yourself and
others on the risks, benefits, length, healing period, and
negative ef fects it may have on you.
 Make sure you know if you have allergies to a specific
product, medication, or food before undergoing treatment.
 What type of CAM treatments or techniques have you
undergone?

8. REFERENCES
 NCCAM. National Institutes of Health, National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2008). What is
complementar y and alternative medicine? (D347). Retrieved
from website: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam