Alternative medicine is used in place of the conventional medicine. Ex: (using a diet instead of radiation for cancer treatment).
Major types of Complementary and Alternative medicines:
1. Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine.
2. 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 CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance
3. Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, 3 herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer).
4. Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.
5. Energy Theories - involve the use of energy fields. Two kinds are:
*Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.
*Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.
Theses are some of the brief explanations of some of the types of CAM theories/therapies there are.
cited from : "CAM Basics". National Center for Complementary And Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. 12, Jan 2007.
2 comments:
I don't know anything about this topic, but it sounds like it will be a good topic for you. I will be interested in your findings on massage and meditation findings. I'm sure it's very helpful to relieve stress and help relax you.
If scientific studies prove of a body's energy field I will be extremely amazed. I would also find it interesting if one could have more or less of a field. If they prove this aura to exist I will start to believe fortune cookies and psychics.
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