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Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Pronunciation
Definition 1
Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices generally are not considered standard medical approaches. Standard treatments go through a long and careful research process to prove they are safe and effective, but less is known about most types of complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. Also called CAM. (NCI Dictionary)
Definition 2
A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine as being used together with conventional medicine, whereas alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) groups CAM practices into four domains, recognizing there can be some overlap: mind-body medicine; biologically based practices, manipulative and body-based practices, and energy medicine. In addition, NCCAM studies CAM whole medical systems, which cut across all domains. (NCI Thesaurus)
More information
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard care. Standard care is what medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and allied health professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, practice.
Complementary medicine is used together with standard medical care. An example is using acupuncture to help with side effects of cancer treatment.
Alternative medicine is used in place of standard medical care. An example is treating heart disease with chelation therapy (which seeks to remove excess metals from the blood) instead of using a standard approach.
The claims that CAM treatment providers make can sound promising. However, researchers do not know how safe many CAM treatments are or how well they work. Studies are underway to determine the safety and usefulness of many CAM practices.
To minimize the health risks of a CAM treatment
• Discuss it with your doctor. It might have side effects or interact with other medicines
• Find out what the research says about it
• Choose CAM practitioners carefully
• Tell all of your doctors and practitioners which CAM and standard treatments you use (NIH: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Also called: Homeopathy, Alternative Medicine, Integrative Medicine
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