This is the term for a diverse group of medical practices or products that fall outside the standard realm of Western medicine. The various approaches of CAM typically are used in a manner that enhances standard medical practices or are used in place of standard medicine. CAM includes not only classical systems, such as Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, which are centered on bringing together the mind, body, and spirit, but also a wide range of other forms of therapy, including chiropractic medicine, biofeedback, art therapy, hypnosis, prayer, specialty diets, and therapeutic touch.
Deeper dive
Complementary medicine, such as acupuncture or aromatherapy is used in conjunction with standard care. It can generally be classified into:
- Whole medical systems such as homeopathy or ayurveda.
- Manipulative and body-based practices, like chiropractic or osteopathic approaches .
- Mind-body medicine such as meditation or relaxation therapy.
- Biologically-based practices such as natural supplements or herbal teas.
- Energy, or “life force” practices including qi gong and reiki.
Alternative medicine is used in place of traditional Western medical practices. This might be something like a special diet to fight cancer instead of conventional chemotherapy and radiation. Nearly 40 percent of adults report using complementary and alternative medicine, according to the Mayo Clinic. The term has fallen out of favor with many practitioners, who prefer using integrative medicine. This approach takes the most promising complementary practices and combines them with mainstream medical care – for example, taking omega-3 supplements in addition to a statin to reduce cholesterol.
Claims about potential health benefits of CAM are not evaluated by the FDA; manufacturers are permitted to bring products to market without the rigorous scientific testing required for pharmaceuticals. While many clinicians remain cautious about recommending CAM, evidence is mounting about some treatments or approaches. However, few large clinical studies exist to support other alternative approaches and the mainstream medical community remains skeptical of therapies that have not been tested in large-scale controlled medical studies. They also caution that some complementary therapies – including herbal remedies or supplements – can lead to adverse reactions with conventional medications or cause dangerous side effects. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine has a wealth of information on how these approaches affect certain diseases or conditions.
The first step in detecting possible cognitive impairment and determining whether or not a person needs further evaluation.