Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Claremont Physical Therapist on Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Definition: CAM is group of diverse medical and health care systems, therapies and products that are not considered to be a part of conventional medicine. They are divided into 4 sub-groups: Alternative Medical Systems, Biologically Based Therapies, Manipulative and Body-Based Therapies, and Mind-Body Therapies. They do not require any form of referral from a health care professional.

1. Alternative Medical Systems: Acupuncture, Acupressure, Ayurveda (Primary health-care in India), Homeopathic Treatment, Naturopathy
2. Biologically Based Therapies: Chelation Therapy, Folk Medicine, Nonvitamin-non-mineral-natural products, Diet-based Therapies, and Megavitamin Therapy
3. Manipulative and Body Based Therapies: Chiropractic Care, Massage
4. Mind-Body Therapies: Biofeedback, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Progressive Relaxation, Deep Breathing, Hypnosis, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Prayer, and Energy Healing Therapy/Reiki.

Function: As a Claremont Physical Therapist i have seen that the majority of people use CAM as a complement to conventional medicine, not as an alternative. These therapies are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons:

1. Dissatisfaction with conventional/Western Medicine
2. Conventional medicines inability to adequately treat chronic diseases and their symptoms (Pain ranks #1).
3. Increased marketing efforts of these practices
4. Availability of information on the Internet
5. The desire to become more actively involved with medical decision-making

CAM treatments have several things in common:

1. The use of complex interventions
2. Individual diagnosis and treatment
3. Goal is to maximize the body’s inherent healing ability
4. Treatment of the person as a “whole” by addressing physical, mental, and spiritual attributes rather than isolation of the injured/diseased area

Drawbacks:

1. There is no definitive research that CAM therapies are safe or effective
2. They are usually not covered by traditional health insurance
3. Severe lack of research on the safety of herbal remedies or their interaction with other conventional medications
4. Can be very expensive
5. More often than not, people do not tell their doctors they are using a CAM intervention

Interesting Facts:

• The most frequent reason for using CAM Therapies is pain
• The # 1 diagnosis for trying a CAM is Low Back Pain, followed by colds, neck pain, joint pain or stiffness, anxiety and depression
• The most commonly used CAM sub-group was the Mind-Body interventions
• 75% of adults have tried or used a CAM (this includes prayer), 62% when prayer was excluded
• The most commonly used natural herbal products were Echinacea, Ginseng, Ginko Biloba, Garlic, and Glucosamine

Conclusion: As with any self-treatment, it is imperative that you research and then speak with your doctor concerning any remedies that are ingested. If you visit your health care professional for a disease or injury and you have already been participating in CAM treatments, please let them know.

All CAM treatments are self-prescribed. Bottom line is that if you decide to participate, you are ultimately responsible for the outcome. It is your choice.***

To Your Health,

Dee Tipton, PT, PH, D.D.
Physical Therapist, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Divinity

***SportsPros does not endorse any form of CAM Therapies***

This is Information Only

Dee Tipton is proud to serve clients for Claremont Physical Therapy, La Verne Physical Therapy, Upland Physical Therapy, Rancho Cucamonga Physical Therapy and all of the surrounding areas.