Introduction Alternative medicine is any form of healing that does not follow conventional medicine or has not shown to be consistently effective.

Introduction Alternative medicine practices may be based on religious or spiritual beliefs, folklore or from watching other animals.

Examples Some of the more commonly explored fields of contemporary and alternative medicine (CAM) are: Chiropractic Herbalism Yoga Homeopathy Traditional Chinese medicine Acupuncture Meditation Prayer

Classifications of CAM 1) Mind-Body Medicine Takes a holistic approach to medicine that explores the connection between the mind and body. It is based on the premise that the mind can affect bodily functions and symptoms. Examples: meditation, yoga, prayer

Classifications of CAM 2) Biologically based practices Use substances in nature (herbs, roots, berries, vitamins, etc…) to treat medical conditions. Examples: naturopathy, herbalism, homeopathy.

Classifications of CAM 3) Manipulative and Body-based Practices Feature the manipulation and movement of body parts in treatment. Examples: chiropractic, massage

Classifications of CAM 4) Energy Medicine Deals with the body’s energy fields. Use magnets, electricity and other devices to manipulate these energy fields.

Classifications of CAM 5) Whole Medical Systems Cross over more than one field of CAM. Examples: Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture

Stats from 2002 in the U.S.A. All stats are concerning adults 18+ in the USA. 50% had used CAM for medical treatment 45% had used prayer as a medical treatment 55% had used CAM along with conventional medicine Women were more likely than men to use CAM As education level increased, the chance of using CAM increased. After prayer, the most common CAM used were herbalism, meditation, chiropractic and yoga.

Problems with CAM 1) Regulation of the medicinal components in some alternative medicines 2) Lack of proven efficacy in some treatments 3) Allergic reactions 4) Conflict with other medications or medical procedures 5) Endangered Animals sometimes are ingredients

Appeal of CAM 1) Only 4.4% of people in the USA use CAM in lieu to conventional medicine and that is primarily because of its cheaper cost. 2) Coincides with a person’s values, beliefs, etc… 3) Dislike of conventional medicine (conspiracy theories, anti-scientific groups) 4) Dislike of the side effects of conventional treatments (cancer and HIV treatments in particular) 5) Feel they are safer

Homework 1) Which areas of CAM do you feel are effective? Which do you feel would not be effective? 2) Do you partake in any CAM? If so, which one and why? If not, how come? 3) Do you feel prayer is a legitimate form of medical treatment? Why or why not?