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CAM Therapeutic Modalities Paper SCI 201 CAM Therapeutic Modalities Paper The paper presented contains the subjects Alternative Medicine, Integrative Medicine, as well as Complimentary Medicine. There will be a thorough discussion about the process of conventional medicine and how it affects the three kinds of medicine mentioned. Also, there will be a recap about the philosophy of CAM and its relation and difference with the Western Medicine which comprises of traditional medicine process. In the end, there will be a showcase of the CAM treatment modality Acupuncture which is used at present as an option which complements the treatment for headaches. Alternative, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine These three terms may be used interchangeably. However, most people are not aware that each of them does not pertain to similar aspects. Complementary and Alternative Medicine, also known as CAM, pertains to different health and medical systems, products, and practices that are not really among the common and conventional medicines offered at present (What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2008). Alternative Medicine, on the other hand, is used hand in hand with traditional medicine but in reality takes over the latter. It is merely an “art of healing” which is not offered in medical schools. This particular type of medicine gives out various options that are in line with the Western Medicine, while Integrative Medicine is in charge of focusing on treating and caring for the body, mind and spirit of the patient in one time. The patient and the doctor are, in this process, partners, for it to become effective. Role of Conventional Medicine The use of CAM has been implemented in most, if not all, of the United States. Various CAM therapies are an option given by the doctors and has been developed and improved as time went by. This is why when a patient chooses to use the integrated, conventional, and alternative medicines while making use of the traditional one, he needs to let his physician have knowledge of such a fact in order for the latter to know the other medications he has been in treatment with. There is also the need for the physician to know of the drugs he has been prescribed so as to avoid unwanted chemical reactions to the body and to ensure that the patient is safe. Philosophy of CAM and the Five Domains of Therapy CAM maintains the philosophy that he must think about the patient in all aspects of his being, particularly mentally, emotionally, and physically. Under the text Philosophy of CAM (2003), there are a lot of CAM therapies that is considered as preventive. This means that besides successfully curing the proposed ailment, the physician is able to impart with his patient the techniques in order to prevent the same from recurring again. There are five main fields under the CAM therapy. These are: Traditional Healers, Natural Products, Energy Therapies, Mind-Body Medicine, Body Based Practices, and Manipulative Therapy. Under the Natural Products, using different herbal medicines, minerals, vitamins, and the like in order to effect the healing of the body, mind, and spirit of the patient. On the other hand, Mind-Body medicine, according to the text What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2008), has its focus on how the mind, behavior, body, and brain each interacts with one another, having the intention to make use of the mind in affecting how the body functions and in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Examples of this are yoga, meditation, as well as acupuncture. The main focus of Manipulative and Body-Based Practices pertains to the organization and system of the body with the inclusion of what it is composed of, particularly the joints and bones, as well as the lymphatic and circulatory systems. The perfect example of this is the spinal manipulation as well as massage therapies. There are also the common practices performed by traditional faith healers which are under CAM. In short, their healing comes with the use of certain theories, experiences, and beliefs that have been passed on since the first generation of Native Americans, up to present. On the one hand, there is also what is called as the Energy Therapy which partakes the tweaking of different types of energies that are responsible in affecting the health of a person. An example of this is the light therapy, energy therapy, and qi gong which are known as the practice of maintaining health and increasing the vitality of a person. Acupuncture as Alternative, Complementary, and Integrative Therapy Acupuncture is known as among the oldest of all the medical treatments used in the world. This particular therapy is performed using hair-thin needles that are inserted or tapped lightly unto the skin in certain points and parts of the body having specific effects. Through this, the nerves become more stimulated, as well as that of the connective tissues and various muscles that are responsible in boosting the body’s own “painkillers” and increase the circulation of the blood in the body ("Acupuncture", n.d.). This, at present, is advised and is a treatment used for those with migraine and headache. It is in line with Western Medicinal practices which make it a kind of alternative medicine. However, it is also most effective when combined with the latter, describing it as a complementary medicine. Despite this, it is still unknown as to how it works as such. In integrative medicine, acupuncture is used as a drug Imitrex in treating the same mentioned illnesses ("Migraine Headaches", 2011). With the use of this, it will be of help in easing the pain as well as the particular illness that shows it as a symptom. Conclusion Roughly around 38% of adults underwent CAM to treat their illnesses, and is continuously increasing as the time goes by, with the realization of how effective it is as opposed to the Western medicinal process. It cannot be said yet that the latter can now be replaced by CAM, but it may be the case in the near future, considering the growing number of people who switches to it. References Acupuncture. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mayclinic.org Definition of alternative medicine. (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.medterms.com Kam, K. (2009). What is integrative medicine?. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com Migraine Headaches. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu Philosophy of CAM. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.worldhealth.net What is complementary http://nccam.nih.gov and alternative medicine? (2008). Retrieved from: