IntroductionAlternative medicine

is any form of healing that does not follow conventional medicine or has not shown to be consistently effective.

IntroductionAlternative medicine

practices may be based on religious or spiritual beliefs, folklore or from watching other animals.

ExamplesSome of the more

commonly explored fields of contemporary and alternative medicine (CAM) are:

ChiropracticHerbalismYogaHomeopathyTraditional Chinese

medicineAcupunctureMeditationPrayer

Classifications of CAM1) Mind-Body Medicine Takes a holistic

approach to medicine that explores the connection between the mind and body.

It is based on the premise that the mind can affect bodily functions and symptoms.

Examples: meditation, yoga, prayer

Classifications of CAM2) Biologically based

practices Use substances in

nature (herbs, roots, berries, vitamins, etc…) to treat medical conditions.

Examples: naturopathy, herbalism, homeopathy.

Classifications of CAM3) Manipulative and

Body-based Practices

Feature the manipulation and movement of body parts in treatment.

Examples: chiropractic, massage

Classifications of CAM4) Energy Medicine Deals with the

body’s energy fields.

Use magnets, electricity and other devices to manipulate these energy fields.

Classifications of CAM5) Whole Medical

Systems Cross over more

than one field of CAM.

Examples: Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture

Stats from 2002 in the U.S.A.All stats are concerning adults 18+ in the USA.50% had used CAM for medical treatment45% had used prayer as a medical treatment55% had used CAM along with conventional

medicineWomen were more likely than men to use CAMAs education level increased, the chance of

using CAM increased.After prayer, the most common CAM used were

herbalism, meditation, chiropractic and yoga.

Problems with CAM1) Regulation of the medicinal components in

some alternative medicines2) Lack of proven efficacy in some treatments3) Allergic reactions4) Conflict with other medications or medical

procedures5) Endangered Animals sometimes are

ingredients

Appeal of CAM1) Only 4.4% of people in the USA use CAM in

lieu to conventional medicine and that is primarily because of its cheaper cost.

2) Coincides with a person’s values, beliefs, etc…3) Dislike of conventional medicine (conspiracy

theories, anti-scientific groups)4) Dislike of the side effects of conventional

treatments (cancer and HIV treatments in particular)

5) Feel they are safer

Homework1) Which areas of CAM do you feel are

effective? Which do you feel would not be effective?

2) Do you partake in any CAM? If so, which one and why? If not, how come?

3) Do you feel prayer is a legitimate form of medical treatment? Why or why not?