Alternative Medicine Essay 9

wind This paper is going to educ consume the reader ab kayoed substitute and comple workforcetary color medicinal drug which is similarly known as CAM. The paper leave al wiz destine utility(a) and complementary medicine or CAM and comp be it to received practice of euphony. The important management of the paper pass on be tryoutining the different types of CAM. The types of CAM get out be broken into volt different bases which ar Whole or preference Medical Systems, Mind-Body Medicine, Bio limpidly Based Practices, Manipulative and Body-Based Practices, and vim Medicine.The reader volition read about umteen mainstream practices much(prenominal)(prenominal) as Chiropractic and Physical therapy as well as many less ordinary practices such as Color Therapy and Reiki. The paper will in like manner briefly discuss my person-to-person opinion and interest of CAM as well as CAM related to wellness insurance CAM alternate and antonymous Medicine Millions of putting greenwealth in the bump to shellher States suffer from a chronic illness of some kind. A chronic illness is a long-term condition for which in that location seems to be no regain such as artistryhritis, allergies, ut close blood pressure, digestive problems and approve pain.Most of the time volume that live with chronic illness subroutine conventional medicament, which is taught to medical students in medical schools throughout the world and is base on science and clinical research and virtually traversements bring on scientific evidence of their metier scarcely some others consumption utility(a) medicine. Alternative medicine has many different origins and philosophies, comes from many different cultures and involves many different practices. Alternative medicine is use for interposition, pr counter equilibrisetive health cargon, health maintenance or to enhance well being.There are several established substitute therapies that pay back earned resp ect capacity because they are effective. Methods such as chiropractic, somatogenetic therapy, stylostixis and homeopathy are well researched and their practitioners are well learn and have come to be widely accepted. There are as well as literally hundreds of other types of pick treatments that, on the surface seem to be a bit bizarre and are less main stream. The nominate of what is considered alternating(a) medicine changes often as therapies are proven upright and effective and drive adoptive into conventional health care.Patients with a storage illness such as backcer, often turn to alternative medicine afterwards conventional medical treatment has failed them or vice versa. An archetype of alternative medicine in this case would be exploitation a special diet for assholecer treatment instead of or after radiation or chemotherapy. In some cases alternative medicine and conventional medicine flock be employ together. When this occurs it is called Complementary me dicine. An example of this would be when forcible therapy is used to rehabilitate a affected role after surgery.The use of Complementary Methods and Alternative Medicine is often referred to as CAM and holds a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and mathematical products that are non commonly considered part of conventional medicine (CAM Overview NCCAM). The chart below show the percent of adults and children in the U. S who are using some gain of CAM (2007 issue health Interview Survey (NHIS) results NCCAM). pic It is unfortunate that at this time that even though there are so many people using different forms of alternative medicine, health insurance coverage is not truly good at all.Mainstream forms of alternative medicine such as physical therapy is ordinarily covered to some degree by insurance providers but not usually to the level of conventional medicine. Less popular forms of alternative medicine is usually not covered at all. As thes e practices become much proven and effective providers should be forced to provide much coverage to their customers. It will be interesting to see how the potential invigorated ecumenic healthcare system will or will not incorporate alternative medicine. This could be one of the key factors that influence politicians and the people on this issue.The home(a) midway for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is a government agency that monitors scientific research on alternative medicines and keeps the mankind informed on the results of alternative medicine research studies. The NCCAM divides alternative therapies into five major groups Whole or Alternative Medical Systems These type of medical systems are some of the approximately common and often come from involved treatments ground upon theories that often have evolved over centuries and often in easterly countries such as China, Korea and India.Examples of these types of systems include Acupuncture, Homeopathic medicine, and Naturopathic medicine. According to (NCCAM) the term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the be using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been approximately often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic trainles that are manipulated by the manpower or by electrical stimulation. Acupuncture is regulated by the FDA all practitioners moldiness be licensed and abide by the rules and regulations in regards to the use of needles which are set by the FDA.Acupuncture is pretty safe and there have not been many major incidents reported to the FDA. Most of the time if there is a problem it has to do with the sterilization of needles but there is also the risk of punctured organs http//nccam. nih. gov/health/acupuncture (Acupuncture NCCAM). Homeopathy or Homeopathic medicine seeks to stimulate the dusts ability to heal itself by large truly small dose s of high gearly diluted substances. This technique was developed in Germany more than 200 eld ago by Samuel Hahnemenn.Homeopathic practitioners weigh that these highly diluted solutions can be hefty medicines and can cure various diseases and illnesses such as the common cold, digestive problems, influenza, hay fever, and earaches. Remedies can be taken as a powder, a pill or a liquid, can be rubbed into the skin or injected. There are usually no side effects although sometimes a long-suffering whitethorn feel worse before he feels better (Homeopathy NCCAM). Naturopathic Medicine focuses on supporting health rather than combating disease. Naturopathic medicine uses the healing fountain of nature to maintain and restore health (Naturopathy NCCAM).The use of natural treatments is to get to the root of the problem and what actually created the problem in the first emerge. Its cultivation is to create a healthy inner body and outer body. Believers form of address naturopat hic medicine prevents illness because people are taught healthy diet modifications and modus vivendi changes to avoid diseases. Since this system focuses on natural healing there isnt much risk involved only the risk of the condition get worst Mind-Body Medicine The concept of the interconnection amidst the brain and body has been around for quite a while.Ancient healing practices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasized important links between the mind and body. Recently people have come to appreciate the powerful effect the mind has over the body. People think that their mind has the power to heal their body and if they have a healthy mind they will have a healthy body. There are many techniques that are being used such as hypothesis, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use seminal outlets such as art, music, or dance (CAM Overview NCCAM). The three that are most interesting to me are hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and color therapy.Hypnotherapy is the most widely practiced of these therapies. The enduring is put into a hypnosis-induced trance and then treated in a variety of ways to moderate anxiety, pain or stress (Clinical Hypnotherapy Cleveland Clinic). eternal sleep and visualization are stress relieving therapies often used together to treat mental and emotional problems and reduce muscle focus. The goal is to induce a calm mind and body. Visualization uses the patients imagination and right-brain legal action to create confident(p) healing images, which initiate changes in attitudes or behavior.Biofeedback is a technique used especially for stress related conditions such as asthma, migraine headaches, high blood pressure and insomnia (Biofeedback using your mind to improve your health mayo Clinic). The patient is hooked up to sensitive machines that monitor small metabolic changes in the body such as heartbeat, temperature, muscle tension as well as brainwaves. The patient is trained to control brainwave activity as well as slow the heartbeat and modify the other functions through breathing and relaxation techniques.Color therapy is based on the look that diseases, pain, cosmetic problems, privateity, spiritual attunement, and intellectual or artistic capabilities are each(prenominal) associated with a specific color. There are several different therapies associated with colourise Color Breathing, Color Imagination, Color Meditation, and Hydrochromopathy. Color Breathing involves the patient imagining himself surrounded by a cloud of a specific color. The color depends on what the patients problem is. For example yellow is used for stomach, nerves, spleen and pancreas. Blue is used for large intestines, skin, connective tissue and lungs.The patient breathes deeply and imagines the color option his lungs and extending throughout his body until it gets to the body part in need of treatment. Color Imagination involves visualizing a specific color in erect to cure a disease associated with that col or. Color Meditation is a gang of the previous two therapies and parts of Eastern philosophies. It involves visualizing cones of different colors, which point to septenary major chakras or psychic centers. Each of these chakras has a color that governs it and meditation and the use of colored light succors to open and reinforce the chakras.Hydrochromopathy is a mutation that departs a little from the mind-body connection although it still requires a strong placebo influence. It involves alter a colored glass bottle with distilled water system and h ingest it in sunlight for at least three hours. The resulting color charged water is then used as a treatment for various conditions. A fever is treated by blue charged water, red-charged water is taken to increase push button, green charged water improves overall health etc (Color Therapy around Holistic Healing).Biologically Based Practices These use natural substances such as herbs, foods and vitamins and dietetic supplements , as well as other natural substances such as shark cartilage, shellfish shells, essential oils, metals, gems and crystals. The chart below shows the most commonly used natural products by adults in 2007 (2007 field of study wellness Interview Survey (NHIS) results NCCAM)pic A dietary supplement is a product (other than tobacco) that contains a dietary ingredient intended to supplement the diet. This may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanical amino panes, enzymes, organ tissues, and metabolites.These supplements can be taken in several forms such as tablets, liquids or powders and are considered foods not drugs. galore(postnominal) people today take supplements of this kind. Vitamins and minerals such as iron are routinely prescribed to pregnant women and the shelves in health food shops are stacked to the ceiling with natural products that ready you energy, make you sleep, help you to lose or gain weight, help women get through menopause or ease catamenial sympt oms, help men build muscles, and protect you from a whole range of illnesses. approximately dietary supplements have been proven to be effective treatments for some conditions and have been adopted by conventional medical practitioners. For example scientists have found that folic acid prevents some birth defects and an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration, is slowed down by vitamins and zinc. The most common therapy of this kind is a daily multi-vitamin and mineral tablet. The charitable body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals for health and these days some people believe that the food we eat does not provide enough of these vitamins and minerals (Using Supplements sagely NCCAM).Herbal remedies have been in existence for centuries and many herbs and plants have a powerful effect on the body. There are some common herbal treatments such as Aloa Vera for burns, Senna taken for constipation, ginger or weed taken for an upset stomach and ginseng taken to improv e overall health and stamina. More recently Gingko Biloba has become very popular as an anti-aging supplement because of its antioxidant properties, which reduce free radicals in the body. Black Cohosh, an American Indian remedy has become a popular treatment for menstrual problems. There are also some very unusual and atypical herbal remedies.For example Carnivora therapy uses an extract from the Venus Fly fix plant as a treatment for cancer. A few years ago there was a controversy over the claim that take apricots kernels would cure cancer. Apricot kernels was claimed, contain vitamin B-17 also known as Laetrile, which when eaten would assassinate or prevent cancer in most cases. It was also claimed that if you ate seven apricot kernels a day you would never develop cancer. These claims were not backed up by clinical trials. In fact eating apricot kernels can be fatal as when crushed they reach cyanide, a lethal poison.The Food and Drug Administration banned the cut-rate sale of apricot kernels, which led to many cancer patients traveling to Mexico for treatment. (Using Supplements Wisely NCCAM) unrivaled of the most controversial dietary supplement therapies is the use of shark cartilage as a treatment for small cancerous tumors. Supporters of this remedy conjecture that shark cartilage extract inhibits blood supply to small tumors and sugar them from growing and metastasizing, a process called angiogenesis. So far there have been no clinical trials that prove this theory but this is a very popular supplement taken by many cancer sufferers. Cartiladge crab louse Institute) Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils taken from plants, seeds, roots and flowers. It is not usually the aromas of the oils that have healing properties, but the essence or chemical rectify of the oils. This essence is usually rubbed onto the skin or made into a tea. The most common use of Aromatherapy is Vicks Vapor Rub, a blend of camphor, menthol and eucalyp tus oil, which is rubbed onto the thorax as a treatment for a stuffy nose or a cold (Aromatherepy Cancer Institute).Manipulative and Body-Based Practices This is based on manipulating or moving one or more body parts as in chiropractic treatments, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy and massage. Chiropractic uses physical manipulation of the body, especially the spinal column, to facilitate pain and aid the bodys inner healing power. Chiropractic has come to be more accepted into mainstream medicine in recent years as its effectiveness as a treatment for many conditions including back pain, headaches and sciatica has been demonstrated. It is now the stand by largest primary health care field in the world.Chiropractic doctors believe that problems with coalescence in the spinal column can squeeze nerve endings and pathways, a condition they call subluxation. This squeezing of the nerves causes various ailments and conditions. A chiropractic leeway of the spinal column, w here the spine is re-aligned or straightened will release these nerves which will help the bodys innate tendency to heal itself. Chiropractic practitioners earn a heal of Chiropractic degree from college and have to pass a state licensing board exam (Chiropractic NCCAM).Osteopathy is a holistic preventive treatment used to restore balance in the musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic therapists believe that all of the bodys systems work together and tension or mechanical restrictions anywhere in the musculoskeletal system can adversely affect other systems and organs in the body (Osteopathy innate Medicine Suite 101). Some therapists use osteopathic manipulation, a full-body hands-on technique. Some of the illnesses treated by osteopaths are arthritis, allergies, cardiac diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure, headaches, digestive dis frames and bladder problems.Osteopaths earn a college degree, must get it on an internship and residency program and pass State Lic ensing Board exams. They have the ability to prescribe drugs and perform surgery. Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease and trauma by various physical and mechanical therapies including exercise, heat treatment and massage. It is now so mainstream as to be almost no longer considered an alternative form of medicine. A Physical Therapist is trained to help patients with injuries, paralysis, degenerative diseases, dizziness and other diseases that restrict movement or cause chronic pain.Energy Medicine Many Eastern non-conventional therapies incorporate the concept of energy field and universal energy into their mind-body treatments, seeing humans as part of an interconnected, universal energy field. These therapies are sub divided into two types Biofield and Bioelectro attractive featureic (CAM Overview NCCAM). Biofield Therapies affect energy field that surround and penetrate the human body by placing the hands on the body or in or through these fields. Examples include Re iki, Therapeutic gain, sign of the zodiac Therapy and Shiatsu.Reiki is an ancient form of energy healing from Tibet. Reiki therapists place their hands on the chakras as well as major organs and glands to channel healing energies. It is used to treat emotional and mental distraint as well as to fine tune spiritual focus and clarity. It is believed that if the patients spirit is healed the body will heal also. (Reiki NCCAM) Reiki get the hang transfer energy that is universal rather than personal. Reiki practitioners are trained by Reiki Masters, which involves a series of initiations to activate the practitioners healing power.Therapeutic Touch is a similar treatment based on the ancient art of the laying on of hands. The therapists do not actually touch the patient but hold their hands several inches from the body. The therapist has the ability to site energy imbalances in the invisible energy fields that surround the human body. Therapists clear the defective energy field an d replace it with their own personal energy (What is Theraputic Touch Theraputic Touch). It is used to help the healing of wounds, promote relaxation, relieve pain and ease the dying process.Shiatsu is a Nipponese therapy that developed from traditional Chinese medicine and involves the belief that energy in the body (Chi) flows through channels called meridians, which correspond to various organs in the body (Shiatsu Holistic Online). Health is governed by five elements water, fire, earth, wood and metal. The practitioner uses thumbs, hands, forearms, knees and feet to apply pressure to the body, which stimulates the flow of energy and restores balance. Polarity Therapy involves using a light touch that focuses on the spine to balance the bodys energy flow.It is based on the theory that everything in nature including the human body is influenced by a mansion between positive and negative energy charges (What is Polarity Therapy APTA). These energy charges must be in balance in order to prevent illness and pain. Polarity Therapists also use diet and nutrition, polarity yoga and psychological counseling, positive thinking and self-awareness. It is a blend of Western therapies such as chiropractic and osteopathy with eastern therapies that use chakras and the five elements associated with them.Bioelectromagnetic based therapies involves the use of magnets and electromagnetic fields, pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating flow or direct current fields. Magnetic Therapy is an ancient therapeutic technique based on the use of magnets on the acupuncture points of the body in order to help the body recuperate, relieve stress and ease pain. The theory is that magnetic fields produced by magnets can penetrate the human body and influence various(prenominal) cells. The magnetic force stimulates nerves to create a blood flow to swollen and injured areas.Magnets used in this way are also supposed to affect the iron in red blood cells or create an alkaline r eaction in the body. There are many magnetic products available that can be taped to the skin, worn in your shoes, as a belt, as jewelry or slept on. Many athletes such as golfers, footballers and tennis players wear magnetic devices to relieve sports related injuries or aches. Magnet therapy is used to treat arthritis, insomnia, headaches and back aches. Sometimes a magnet is incorporated into a copper bracelet, a popular alternative treatment for arthritis sufferers (Use Of Magnets NCCAM).Those are just a few of the alternative medicines and therapies available today. Many of them are rooted in ancient philosophies and practices. Most of them sound logical and plausible and give hope to people seeking treatment for incurable diseases. Some of them are reputable and accepted forms of treatment, but many are considered quackery. A large percentage of American people use alternative therapies and medicines and the number is growing. Any one of these alternative therapies, no matter how crazy they sound, may or may not work for you or me.My general thoughts on Alternative Medicine are that I am one of those people who feels like that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A lot of Alternative therapies definitely seem too good to be true. Unfortunately for me, I suffer from arthritis and if my arthritis continues to get worse then I have decided to try some form of alternative medicine because I am tired of the pain and will try anything. It will be interesting to see what type of coverage I will get from my health provider.Fortunately for me I was able to learn out some valuable information at the NCCAM website (Paying for CAM NCCAM). I was able to find out that some forms of CAM are more commonly covered than others and I also learned the importance of asking questions and what questions to ask to CAM and health providers. hopefully when all is said and done with I will be miraculously healed and a true believer of Alternative Medicine. Bibliogr aphy 2007 home(a) Health Interview Survey (NHIS) results NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National middle(a) for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. ih. gov/news/camstats/2007/camsurvey_fs1. htm Acupuncture NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National amount of money for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/acupuncture/ Aromatherepy Cancer Institute. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from National Cancer Institute http//www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/aromatherapy/patient Biofeedback using your mind to improve your health Mayo Clinic. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 29, 2009, from Mayo Clinic http//www. mayoclinic. com/health/biofeedback/SA00083CAM Overview NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/whatiscam/overview. htm Cartiladge Cancer Institute. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 27, 2009, from National Cancer Instit ute http//www. cancer. gov/cancer_information/doc. aspx? viewid=4AABA6FA-8A2E-4BF7-941F-7DC416B41233 Chiropractic NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/chiropractic/Clinical Hypnotherapy Cleveland Clinic. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from Cleveland Clinic http//my. clevelandclinic. org/services/clinical_hypnotherapy/hic_clinical_hypnotherapy. aspx Color Therapy or so Holistic Healing. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 27, 2009, from About Holistic Healing http//healing. about. com/cs/colortherapy/a/aa_colortherapy. htm Homeopathy NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/homeopathy/ Naturopathy NCCAM. (n. d. ).Retrieved 11 24, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/naturopathy/ Osteopathy natural Medicine Suite 101. (n. d. ). R etrieved 11 25, 2009, from Natural Medicine Suite 101 http//naturalmedicine. suite101. com/article. cfm/osteopathy Paying for CAM NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 28, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/financial/ Reiki NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. ih. gov/health/reiki/ Shiatsu Holistic Online. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from Holistic Online http//www. holisticonline. com/Shiatsu/hol_shiatsu_home. htm Use Of Magnets NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 28, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/magnet/magnetsforpain. htm Using Supplements Wisely NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http//nccam. nih. gov/health/supplements/wiseuse. htm