Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) have been in use for thousands of years by eastern cultures (Edwards, 2006). CAMs are a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. It is estimated that approximately 38 percent of adults are using some form of CAM (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008, p., 1).
In this blog we hope to explore CAMs in use by the general public and post informative facts to stimulate discussion on the use of CAMs. Though there is multitude of CAMs here is a list of CAM therapies that is most thought of when the general public hears the word ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE.
- Acupuncture
- Energy healing therapy/Reiki
- Massage
- Meditation
- Natural products (such as herbs and other products from plants, enzymes, etc.)
- Tai chi
- Yoga
As we post and provide information, feedback is more than welcome if you want share your personal stories in the use of CAMs.
References
Edwards, T. I. (2006, March 27). What is complementary and alternative medicine? Retrieved September
10, 2013, from http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/alternative/introduction.cfm
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008, December). The use of complementary and
alternative medicine in the United States. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from
http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps53989/camuse.pdf
