Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Chapter 28

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)1. Define complementary and alternative medicine (CAM),

and describe CAM therapies currently in use. 2. Recognize the most common herbal products used in the

United States and recognize conditions they are used to treat.

3. Understand potential risks, such as side effects and drug-herbal interactions, that can occur with herbal product use.

4. Write the common and scientific names for the herbal products discussed in this chapter.

5. Recognize other CAM practices, including those pertaining to mind and body medicine and manipulative practices.

Lesson 28.1

What Is Alternative Medicine? Traditional medicine (allopathic medicine):

Prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, doctor visits, x-rays, laboratory tests, follow-up and regular visits

Alternative medicine: Visits to chiropractor, homeopathic doctor, or other practitioner, followed by specific treatments

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Alternative Medicine

Many types of alternative medicine are based on the belief in life forces or energies that have been disrupted in some way.

Many accepted traditional practices were once considered complementary and alternative therapies, such as physical and occupational therapy, group psychotherapy, and midwifery.

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Types of CAM

Natural products Manipulative practices Mind and body medicine

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Organization Related to CAM National Center for Complementary and

Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Three goals: Do research, train individuals, and

provide consumer with information Applies Western scientific methods to prove or

disprove the safety and effectiveness of various complementary and alternative treatments.

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Natural Products

Include: Herbals, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics

Herbal is most common form 18% of adults take a nonvitamin of some kind

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Herbal Facts

Pharmacognosy= study of medicinal compounds derived from natural products, especially plants.

Researchers often work to identify the biochemical mechanism responsible for the therapeutic effects of an herbal preparation. For example, there are many current studies on

known antioxidants, such as green tea. FDA does not regulate herbs and herbal

supplements in the same way as drugs; herbs are considered dietary supplements.

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Herbal Products

Growing field: Increasing age of population, and increasing costs

Herbal medicine is experiencing a resurgence in the United States

Harmful interactions: Important to distinguish between legend drugs, OTC drugs, and herbal remedies

Many drugs used in traditional medicine derived from herbs; however, extensive testing and documentation has preceded their use

Specific herbal chemicals have been synthetically made in laboratories

Most American medicines discovered from plants do not use the whole plant

There are many different names for the same plant. 9

Garlic and Echinacea

Stress relief, anticancer, decreases blood pressure, colds, flu, and overall wellness

Overmedication: Heartburn, gastrointestinal (GI) burning

Do not take if diabetic Colds and infections; general immune booster Interaction: Immunosuppressants, and diabetics

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Saw Palmetto

Treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Mild diuretic Antiseptic Antiinflammatory agent Saw palmetto should not be used during

pregnancy.

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Ginkgo Biloba and Soy

Living fossil Poor circulation, asthma, blood pressure (BP), liver

function, increasing memory, and heart disease Interactions: Anticoagulants, BP medications,

epilepsy, and infertility Leaf: Medicinal agent Soy: Milk substitute

Infant use for lactose intolerance is common. Can be used for up to 16 weeks safely Doses up to 60 g per day

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Cranberry and Ginseng

Cranberry Treats urinary tract infections (UTIs) Considered safe

Ginseng Treats diabetes Treats respiratory tract infections Overall antiinflammatory

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Black Cohosh and Milk Thistle Used for hormone replacement, rheumatism,

cough, and insect repellent Blue or white cohosh are different; not used for

same things and may have different reactions Milk thistle treats liver conditions

No major contraindications Used intravenously for mushroom poisoning

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Herbal Preparations

Know the family name of herb Know species of herb (they vary) Safe dosages: Hard to determine; variety in

batches Strength varies according to time harvested, parts

of plant used, concentrations, and method of preparation

Brewed for teas: More potent than capsule form Tea preparation: Infusion, brew, decoctions, and

cold infusions

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Herbal References

One book used to reference herbal treatments is the multilingual Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, which details 530 of the most common herbs in the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopoeia.

In addition to properties and dosage information for each herb, it includes sections on herb identification and preparation.

European monographs are also important reference tools.

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Mind and Body Medicine

Fast growing and is a significant part of CAM. This is based on interaction among body, mind,

and behavior. Meditation Yoga Acupuncture

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Meditation and Yoga

Meditation originated in religious/spiritual traditions Focus attention to achieve calmness

Yoga Maintain physical health and flexibility

Hatha yoga is most common The 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)

identified yoga as one of the top 10 complementary health practices used by adults in the United States; approximately 6% of respondents reported using yoga for health purposes in the previous 12 months.

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Acupuncture and Acupressure Used for conditions such as chronic pain,

depression, and addiction Based on Chinese belief that body is made of

energy channels Needles are applied to specific points of body to

unblock channels Acupressure

Closely related to acupuncture Uses specific energy points across the body Pressure applied by hand to specific points to

unblock channels

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Spinal Manipulation and Massage Therapy Changes in skeletal structure interfere with

nervous system and others Treatment by chiropractor is called manipulation

Hands-on adjustments of spine/joints Massage and beat therapy

Massage: Use of hands, fingers, elbows, and forearms to manipulate muscles and soft tissues Variety of health-related uses

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Spinal Manipulation and Massage Therapy Con’t Research has proved that some forms of

manipulation can be helpful, specifically manipulation of the lower back.

Practitioners must attend an accredited school to attain the degree Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).

It is used for a variety of health-related purposes, such as to relieve pain, rehabilitate physical injuries, induce relaxation, and reduce anxiety and stress.

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Ayurveda

Ancient Indian approach to medicine Takes both behavior/personality and physical body

type into account Based on person knowing spiritual self

Each person is a combination of the three mind/body types, or dosha.

Positive effect and negative effect on body Colors, sounds, clothing, environmental stimuli,

food types, and herbs Treatment based on type of personality Alter food and/or lifestyle to cure and prevent

illness 22

Biofeedback

Connects mind to body Used for anxiety, back pain, neuromuscular

dysfunction, and tension headaches Key component to its symptom relief is teaching

the patient how to relax. Body divided into two movements: Voluntary and

involuntary Voluntary: Musculoskeletal, and purposeful actions Involuntary: Heartbeat, breathing, and digestion

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