Alternative and complementary medicine are of such interest to the medical community that the National Institutes of Health has an entire agency dedicated to technical research into non-mainstream treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) uses technical research to explore complementary and alternative treatments, including natural remedies and other practices mentioned below.
The phrase alternative medicine refers to health care techniques that are used instead of mainstream medicine. For illustration, making use of a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing radiation and chemotherapy is alternative medication. Complementary medicine is not the same as alternative medicine. Complementary medication is used together with mainstream medication. Using nutritional supplements for diabetes in addition to conventional medical treatment is an example of complementary medication.
Complementary and alternative medicine includes a variety of medical systems. Eastern cultures have used traditional Chinese medication, Ayurveda, and acupuncture for centuries. Homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine are more recent alternative medical systems.
Mind-body medication uses techniques such as meditation, art, mental healing, and dance to enhance the mind’s ability to affect the functioning and curative ability of the body. Clinical depression sometimes responds well to these techniques.
Nutritional supplements, herbs, and vitamins are natural remedies utilize in both complementary and alternative therapies. For illustration, research studies indicates that leaves and flowers of the hawthorn tree are safe and helpful for treating mild heart failure. Flaxseed oil is useful in treating arthritis, while ginger eases pregnancy-related queasiness and vomiting. NCCAM continues to study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease.
Chiropractic, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulating involve moving areas of the body to re-establish alignment, relax the body, and support healing. Energy medication uses invisible energy fields for healing. Reiki, therapeutic touch, and the use of electromagnetic fields are examples of energy medication. Reiki is a twentieth century Japanese healing art in which the practitioner places his or her hands above the body of the person being treated. Besides promoting overall health and well being, Reiki can give relief from the side effects of conventional medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
NCCAM finances studies on complementary and alternative approaches to obesity and weightloss. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the USA, touching kids as well as grownups. Many health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, that had formerly been seen mostly in grownups have now become common in kids and adolescents. The complexity of obesity warrants a multi-faceted line of attack to deterrent and treatment.
The NCCAM urges people who are utilizing complementary, alternative, and natural cures to tell their MD’s. Doctors need to be aware about other remedies because of potential conflicts with mainstream therapies. For illustration, certain natural remedies interact with prescription medications and may cause unwanted sides effects.
There is another reason to talk about complementary and alternative treatments with MD’s. Increasingly, MD’s educated in conventional medication understand the healing power of other approaches. A lot of them are knowledgeable about complementary and alternative therapies and willing to work with patients who are interested in using natural remedies and treatments and other non-mainstream ways of curing.
