Download CAM Therapeutic Modalities Paper SCI 201 CAM Therapeutic

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
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complementary
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