Audible Books | The Benefits of Complementary Natural — Complementary and Integrative health

Understanding the body’s innate holistic healing capacities

We are living in the 21st century, which means we have access to so much information because of the internet.

But it also means that there is a lot of misinformation because people can say whatever they want online.

So how do you know what’s credible?

Oftentimes, when people are looking for alternative therapies, they turn to complementary and integrative health care providers not only because they trust them but because these providers are well versed in credible research studies.

Complementary And Alternative Medicine

(CAM) is a term used to describe the use of non-conventional therapies (including herbs, vitamins, minerals, homeopathy, mind-body interventions, and energy therapies) in conjunction with conventional medical treatments?

Integrative medicine also refers to the practice of combining conventional medical treatments with CAM therapies.

Complementary Medicine

(CM) is the use of one or more non-conventional therapies (including herbs, vitamins, minerals, and homeopathy) in conjunction with conventional medical treatments.

It is used to describe health care that is not part of conventional medicine.

Alternative medicine often refers to the same thing as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

This article will use the term CAM instead of CM because it recognizes that CAM and CM are often used interchangeably by laypeople.

Alternative Medicine

Has also become a more popular term than integrative medicine.

Sometimes people give the term “integrative medicine” a negative connotation because they feel it suggests that everything else is not alternative or complementary to what we know as conventional medical treatments.

Integrative Medicine

Is sometimes used to describe this type of medical treatment, but, at the same time, integrative medicine has become a popular new term for all health care information.

Therefore, it is important to point out that the terms complementary medicine and alternative medicine are commonly used interchangeably in everyday speech.

So using the term integrated medicine may actually be appropriate.

Evidence-based recommendations such as the ones below are published in medical journals and often provide specific recommendations for health care providers and patients on how to choose complementary and integrative therapies.

For example, one study showed that patients who were given information about how to choose complementary and integrative therapies experienced fewer side effects from conventional medical treatments.

Some examples of (CAM) therapies include tai chi, herbal remedies, guided imagery, biofeedback, acupuncture, yoga, and relaxation techniques.

The NCCIH supported CAM Health Information initiative was created to provide consumers with accurate, science-based information about CAM therapies.

It assists health care providers in providing information to their patients who are interested in CAM therapies.

Integrative medicine (IM) also refers to the practice of combining conventional medical treatments with CAM therapies.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is the Federal government’s lead agency for research on complementary and alternative medicine.

NCCIH’s mission is to promote health, prevent disease, and improve well-being by heading the science and education of complementary and integrative health practices.

One of the goals of NCCIH is to improve access to CAM therapies that can be used for wellness, prevention, and treatment.

NCCIH also supports research for CAM therapies.

The authority for the promotion of integrative health practices falls under Title IV of the Public Health Service Act, which is codified in Section 4891.

The statute states that the term “integrative health practices” means traditional non-conventional medical and mental health therapies, procedures, and treatments that are scientifically grounded in research conducted through Federal research agencies, including activities conducted by NCCIH.

Evidence-Based Results Of Complementary Alternative Medicine

I have noticed a number of clinicians who have a clear preference for alternative therapies.

But many of the health care providers who refer to themselves as being integrative practitioners have not yet fully embraced CAM.

Many physicians and other health care providers have strong academic backgrounds that are focused on conventional medicine, but they feel that CAM therapies may be beneficial for some patients.

These providers typically focus their practices on mainstream medicine as well as those CAM modalities that have been proven to be effective through scientific studies.

Finally, we reach the end of this article about medical and alternative medicine.

My hope is that this article will help you understand the difference between alternative and conventional medical treatments.

Now Available On Audible — Complimentary Natural

Produced by K.M. Harvin

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