Complementary and Alternative Medicine For Your Home Care

Recently we have been talking a lot about what people can do if they are denied health coverage under Obama care. If you have been reading this blog you now realize that there are a few different things that you can do to make yourself more self-sufficient when it comes to your healthcare. Complementary and Alternative medicine, or CAM, treatments might be a good idea. Some of the most common Conditions for which CAM is used among adults include: Sever headache or migraine, insomnia, neck pain, head or chest cold, back pain, anxiety, arthritis, joint pain, and other musculoskeletal problems, according to Rebecca J. Donatelle in her book entitled Health the Basics. When considering using any CAM treatment you should always consult with a doctor.

Today we are going to talk about Complementary and Alternative medicine or CAM. The definitions and statistics are according to Rebecca J. Donatelle in her textbook entitled Health the Basics, Green Edition. Chapter 17, pages 507-520.

According to Donatelle, Complementary medicine and Alternative medicine is often used for the same thing; however, they actually represent two separate definitions. Complementary medicine as its name implied is used together with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine has in the past been used in place of conventional medicine. Some examples include following a special diet or herbal remedy in order to treat cancer instead of going through radiation treatment, surgery, or other conventional treatments. Some Alternative medical treatments have gained credibility in the medical world over the last few decades but should still be used with conventional treatments.

When referring to Conventional medicine this means that this is medicine practiced by holders of a MD or DO. So it is simply what has come to be considered orthodox in the United States. Regardless of what is considered orthodox, in recent years more and more people have been turning to CAM. According to Donatelle, 1/3 of adults in the United States have reported using some form of CAM. Further 36% of 18-29 year olds report having used some form of CAM.

Some forms or Alternative Medicine Include:

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Is an ancient comprehensive system of healing that uses herbs acupuncture and massage to bring the body into balance and to remove blockages of vital energy flow, also known as qi, that lead to disease.

Ayurveda Medicine: A comprehensive system of medicine derived largely from ancient India, that places equal emphasis on the body, mind, and spirit, and strives to restore the body’s innate harmony through diet exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, exposure to sunlight, and controlled breathing.

Homeopathy: Unconventional Western system of medicine based on the principle that “like cures like.”

Naturopathy: System of medicine originating from Europe that views disease as a manifestation of alteration in the body’s natural self-healing processes and that emphasizes health restoration as well as disease treatment.

It should be noted that every culture whether it be Native American, Aboriginal, African, Middle Eastern, or South American have their own unique alternative systems, and the treatments are becoming increasingly more integrated, and thus the number of options available to people.

Of course, when it comes to choosing Alternative Medical Practitioners you need to use your common sense. Don’t go to the first place you see, shop around for people who are certified to do their form of medicine and have degrees that support their authenticity. Avoid practitioners who promote their treatments as a cure-all for every health problem or who seem to promise remedies for ailments that are simply incurable. Always consult a physician when considering using a CAM or any treatment that may affect your health.

The Major Domains of Complementary and Alternative Medicine according to Donatelle are:

Manipulative and body-based practices: are based on the manipulation of movement of one or more body parts, such as in chiropractic or osteopathic manipulations and massage.

Energy medicine: Involves the use of energy fields such as magnetic fields or bio fields, which are energy fields that some believe surround and penetrate the body. Examples include Reiki and therapeutic touch.

Mind-body medicine: uses a variety of techniques to enhance the mind’s ability to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some examples are support groups, meditation, and the use of cognitive behavioral theory.
Biologically based practices: use substances found in nature, such as herbs, special foods, or vitamins, perhaps in doses outside those used in conventional medicine. This includes the use of natural but sometimes unproven therapies, such as dietary supplements and herbal products.

As I mentioned before I used a few Complementary Medicines while living in Argentina for two years. I used Boldo Tea very frequently to treat stomach aches, I would take the tea whenever my stomach didn't feel well and it would help. Boldo Tea is also, supposedly effective in improving liver and gull bladder function. Eucalyptus Tea is effective in treating head colds, sore throat, and other flu symptoms. Eucalyptus oil is also what is used in Vick's vapor rub. Chamomile tea, apart from having a delicious flavor, is excellent for treating flu symptoms. Chamomile Tea is a natural anti-inflammatory that acts like ibuprofen. These are three teas that I have tried personally and I know that they work for me.

We will have more information on CAM treatments in the future.

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