Where nature and science collide WELCOME TO CAM101: COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES

What is CAM? Complementary and Alternative Medicine A non-mainstream approach to healthcare Practiced by almost 40% of Americans May be used with (complementary) or in place of (alternative) Western medicine

Types of CAM Acupuncture Massage Meditation Yoga Hypnosis Chiropractic Natural products (herbs) TCM – Traditional Chinese Medicine Ayurvedic Medicine

Is there Scientific evidence for CAM? Not a ton, but that is changing! National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Under the umbrella of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Established goals and performs scientific investigations Seeks to determine the usefulness and safety of CAM Determined to understand how CAM can be integrated into regular health care practices. (Complementary, 2013)

TCM – TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Oldest healing system Involves the principles of balance and harmony in nature Belief System: Your body is more than just physical: spiritual, mental, emotional and physical Your body is connected to nature: time of day, geographical location, seasons, etc… Your body has the ability to heal itself Prevention is the key to health (Traditional, 2014)

Qi – energy life source Pronounced chee The very source of life - energy. Everything is made of and uses energy. When energy is balanced, an environment for health and healing is created. (Traditional, 2014)

The Yin and Yang Theory Opposite energies that complement and balance each other. Yin = black, night, cold, female, soft, negative, passive, intuitive Yang = white, day, hot, male, hard, positive, active, logical TCM seeks to find the imbalance and bring it back into harmony. (Traditional, 2014)

The Five Elements Fire: small intestine, happiness, tongue, red, heart, summer, bitter Earth: stomach, mouth, worry, sweet, yellow, late summer, spleen, Metal: large intestine, grief, nose, spicy, autumn, white, lung Water: fear, ear, winter, salty, black, kidney, urinary bladder Wood: gallbladder, eye, anger, sour, spring, green, liver (Traditional, 2014)

The Meridian Connection 12 major meridians Transportation system of the body for blood and Qi (energy) 3D model – includes body, mind, spirit, and emotions A blocked meridian = imbalance of energy TCM seeks to find and unblock the system to restore energy and blood flow (Traditional, 2014)

Healing Modalities Healing practices based on Qi Acupuncture Acupressure Herbal Therapy Eating for Healing Qigong (Traditional, 2014)

Case Studies for TCM Acupuncture for Migraines Who: 59 persons with a diagnosis of migraine. Treatment: acupuncture 2x/week for 4 weeks, than 1x/week for 4 more weeks. Conclusion: acupuncture decreased frequency and intensity of migraines and benefits continued for more than 12 weeks. Qigong for COPD patients Who: 206 persons with COPD divided into 3 groups: Qigong, control, and exercise. Treatment: 3-month Qigong program, usual care, and breathing and walking. Conclusion: Qigong group showed remarkable improvement in walking distance, lung functions, decreased number or exacerbations.

Assignment Watch (and participate) ‘Three Simple Qigong Exercises’ by Richard Coldman on youtube. Write about it. Explore the Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation website at Find 2 research studies involving TCM and write a short summary about each.

References Chan, A., Lee, A., Lee, D., et al (2013). The sustaining effects of Tai chi Qigong on physiological health for COPD patients: a randomized controlled trial. PubMed. Retrieved fromhttp:// Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? (2013). NIH. Retrieved from Plank, S., Goodard, J., Pasierb, L., et al (2013). Standardized set-point acupuncture for migraines. PubMed.gov. Retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine. (2014). TCM World Foundation. Retrieved from