Five W's and an H!

Huang-ti Nei-Ching (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) is the major pioneer of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This book is used for reference to many therapies used in CAM. The original Nei Ching consists of many parts of which the most important are the "Su Wen" and the " Ling Shu." The former deals with physiology, pathology, etiology, and health maintenance; the latter with anatomy, treatment, and the nervous system. The "Su Wen" introduced the following methods of treatment: Huei Shi- cutting stone, early surgery using stone knives, Medicinal- decoctions and medicinal soups, Acupuncture, Moxibustion- Heat therapy, and Massage- Manipulation and exercise (www.acupunturecare.com).

Complementary medicine is used together with other conventional medicine. Like using aromatherapy following surgery for lessening the discomfort. Alternative medicine is used in place of the conventional medicine. Like following a diet instead of radiation for cancer treatment. Major types of CAM therapies are mind-body medicine, biologically based therapies, manipulative and body based methods, energy theories and whole medical systems that are built around theory and practice. Many individual therapies are; aromatherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, dietary supplements, homeopathic, and massage.

Alternative and Complementary Medicine concept was first said to be started in China and their early medicine. Today in society many and all countries use a form of CAM therapies, there may be an office for one right down the road from you. Theses therapies are becoming better known and used, this is why they are found in many place around the world. Chiropractic therapies are used most likely every state in the United States and is the most used CAM therapy that’s accepted in our society. There might be an office right around the corner from you right at this moment.

It’s hard to really say when CAM was starting to be used first. In many of the articles and websites that I have read through it seems to be that CAM was really let in by the United States around the early to middle 1900's. Many people still today do not believe that any of the CAM therapies can be helpful to a patient and I feel that it might take awhile to get people to start acknowledging them. Many insurance companies will not cover CAM therapies and if they do its very limited coverage. It is said that soon many insurances will add a plan for CAM and to me it feels then CAM has been accepted and used by many.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine should be used with much caution and care. If you are considering using a CAM therapy with or without general medicine, you should contact and talk to your regular physician about it first. There can be risks in taking or using a CAM therapy and that’s why you need to inform a physician that knows you and your health well. Also be very careful in picking your CAM physician you need to make sure they know about the therapy well and can work with you and other conditions you may have.



The Art of Acupuncture & Classical Chinese Herbology. 1998. Scott Suvow, M.O.M, L.A.C , NCCAOM. 3 Jan 2007 .