Alternative Medicine
What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)?
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an aggregation of various medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of traditional medicine. Some scientific evidence exists regarding alternative medicine practices but by and large there are key questions that are yet to be answered through scientific studies (i.e. whether these CAM therapies are safe and whether they work for the diseases or medical conditions for which they are currently used).
The list of what is considered to be alternative medicine is fluid and is constantly changing, as the procedures that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and new CAM approaches to health care emerge.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) classifies CAM therapies into five categories.
1. Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Examples of some these alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include: homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine.
2. Mind-Body Interventions
Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered alternative medicine in the past have become mainstream traditional medicinal technicques. Examples include: patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Other mind-body techniques that are still considered alternative include: meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
3. Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies in Alternative Medicine use naturally occurring substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural remedies like shark cartilage.
4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods in alternative medicine are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.
5. Energy Therapies
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types: Biofield therapies and Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies.
Get free affordable health insurance quotes from top carriers.
Many group and individual health insurance plans cover alternative medicine these days in one way or another, sometimes in the form of CAM discount programs. Through our partnership with eHealthinsurance, health insurance shoppers can receive real-time online health insurance quotes as well as side-by side benefit comparisons with leading national health insurance carriers, and you can enroll online if you choose.
Start Your Free No-Obligation health insurance quote now
