Complementary medicine. This is any form of therapy used together with standard or conventional medicine. Complementary therapy often serves to ease ...SkiptomaincontentCoronavirus(COVID-19):LatestUpdates|VisitationPoliciesVisitationPoliciesVisitationPoliciesVisitationPoliciesVisitationPolicies|HowWe'reKeepingYouSafe|VaccineInformationVaccineInformationVaccineInformationCLINICALSERVICESServicesListingPatientCareLocationsCostEstimatorFindaDoctorInformationforReferringPhysiciansMYCHARTLOGINEDUCATIONSchoolofMedicine&DentistrySchoolofNursingGraduateEducationResidency&FellowshipsDentalEducationFacultyByDepartmentLibraryServicesRESEARCHOurResearchersClinicalandTranslationalSciencesInstituteURMCResearchNetworkLabsListingURVenturesClinicalTrials&StudiesResearch@URMCBlogABOUTURMCMaps&DirectionsGivingtoURMCDepartments&CentersListContactInformationNewsroomEventCalendarURMCHomeExploreURMCTests&ProceduresInteractiveEncyclopediaToolsHealthyLivingYourFamilyDrugReferenceHerbs,Vitamins&SupplementsPreventionPlannerURMC/Encyclopedia/ContentSearchEncyclopediaAlternativeTherapyforCancerWhatisalternativetherapy?Alternativetherapy(oralternativemedicine)isanonconventionalapproachtohealing.Complementaryandalternativemedicine(CAM)areoftendiscussedtogether.Buttheyarereally2differenttherapyapproaches:Complementarymedicine.Thisis anyformoftherapyusedtogetherwithstandardorconventionalmedicine.Complementarytherapyoftenservestoeasesymptomsandimprovequalityoflife.Alternativemedicine. Alternativemedicineisusedaloneinsteadofproven standardmedicaltreatment.Somepeopleusecomplementarytreatmentstoeasesymptomsorsideeffectswhilegettingstandardorconventionaltreatment.Forinstance,usingguidedimageryforpainreliefduringcancertreatment.Standardorconventionalmedicinereferstomedicaltreatmentsthathavebeenscientificallytestedandfoundtobesafeandeffective.ThesetreatmentshavebeenapprovedbytheFDA.Otherpeoplemaydecidetotryalternativetherapy.Talkwithyourhealthcareproviderbeforestartinganyalternativetreatment.Thesetrea

Holistic medicine is another rebranding of alternative medicine. In this case, the words balance and holism are often used alongside complementary or integrative, ...AlternativemedicineFromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopediaJumptonavigationJumptosearchFormofnon-scientifichealingAlternativemedicineAM,complementaryandalternativemedicine(CAM),complementarymedicine,heterodoxmedicine,integrativemedicine(IM),complementaryandintegrativemedicine(CIM),new-agemedicine,pseudomedicine,unconventionalmedicine,unorthodoxmedicine,altmedClaimsAlternativestoreality-basedmedicaltreatmentsThisarticleispartofaseriesonAlternativemedicineGeneralinformationAlternativemedicineAlternativeveterinarymedicineQuackery(Healthfraud)HistoryofalternativemedicineRiseofmodernmedicinePseudoscienceAntiscienceSkepticismSkepticalmovementNationalCenterforComplementaryandIntegrativeHealthTerminologyofalternativemedicineTherapeuticnihilismFringemedicineandscienceAcupressureAcupunctureAlkalinedietAnthroposophicmedicineApitherapyAppliedkinesiologyAromatherapyAuriculotherapyBatesmethodBlacksalveBodyworkBonesetterBowentechniqueBreathworkFakeCOVID-19treatmentsCancertreatmentsCharcoalcleanseChiropracticChiropractictreatmenttechniquesVertebralsubluxationChristianScienceChromotherapyColoncleansingCoffeeenemaColorpunctureColloidalsilverCraniosacraltherapyCrystalhealingCuppingtherapyDentalamalgamcontroversyDetoxificationFootdetoxEarcandlingEnergymedicineCorreactologyEsotericenergyTherapeutictouchFabunanAntiviralInjectionFacilitatedcommunicationFeldenkraisMethodFunctionalmedicineHairanalysisHerbalmedicineHolisticdentistryHologrambraceletHomeopathyBachflowerremediesBiologicalterrainassessmentHypnotherapyIridologyIonizedjewelryJillyJuiceLightningProcessLymphotherapyMedicalintuitiveMesmerismMagnettherapyManualtherapyMegavitamintherapyMind–bodyinterventionsMMSMyofascialreleaseNAETNaturopathyOilpullingOrgoneOrthomolecularmedicineOrthopathyOsteomyologyOsteopathyOzonetherapyParapsychologyPhrenologyPsychicsurgeryPsychodermatologyRad

In general, the term “alternative therapy” refers to any health treatment not standard in Western medical practice. When used alongside standard ...10AlternativeMedicinesExplainedMedicallyreviewedbyDebraRoseWilson,Ph.D.,MSN,R.N.,IBCLC,AHN-BC,CHT—WrittenbyLauraNewcomerandHilaryLebow—UpdatedonOctober2,2019OverviewNaturopathyAcupressureAcupunctureAromatherapyAyurvedaBalneotherapyBiofeedbackChiropracticmedicineHomeopathyReflexologyReikitl;drShareonPinterestWouldyoucallabalneotherapistwhenyourfacebreaksout?Howaboutareflexologistwhenyourasthmaflares?Nomatterhowweirdtheymightseem,alternativemedicalpracticesaregainingtractionintheU.S.We’veputtogetheraguidetosomeofthemostpopularalternativephysicaltherapiesworkingtheirwayintothemainstream.Whatisalternativemedicine?Ingeneral,theterm“alternativetherapy”referstoanyhealthtreatmentnotstandardinWesternmedicalpractice.Whenusedalongsidestandardmedicalpractices,alternativeapproachesarereferredtoas“complementary”medicine.Beyondthat,complementaryandalternativetherapiesaredifficulttodefine,largelybecausethefieldissodiverse.Itencompassesdietandexercisechanges,hypnosis,chiropracticadjustment,andpokingneedlesintoaperson’sskin(akaacupuncture),amongothertreatments.Thebenefitsofalternativetherapiesarehotlycontested.Moreresearchisneededtodeterminetheefficacyofnearlyallofthesepractices,butthathasn’tstoppedpeoplefromcheckingthemout.In2008(themostrecentvaliddatawecouldfind),morethan38percentofAmericanadultsusedsomeformofalternativemedicine,accordingtotheNIH.HerearesomeofthepracticesthatarechangingthewayAmericansapproachmedicalcare.Whataboutnaturopathy?Naturopathicmedicineispremisedonthehealingpowerofnature,andit’sabroadbranchofalternativemedicine.Naturopathicdoctorsaretrainedinbothconventionalandalternativemedicines.Theyseektounderstandthecauseofaconditionbyexploringitsmental,physical,andspiritualmanifestationsinagivenpatient.Naturopathytypicallyinvolvesavarietyoftreatmenttechniques,includingnutrition,behavioralchanges,herbalmedicine,homeopathy,an

Complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are treatments that fall outside of mainstream healthcare.SkiptomaincontentHomeHealthAtoZBacktoHealthAtoZComplementaryandalternativemedicineComplementaryandalternativemedicines(CAMs)aretreatmentsthatfalloutsideofmainstreamhealthcare.Thesemedicinesandtreatmentsrangefromacupunctureandhomeopathy,toaromatherapy,meditationandcolonicirrigation.DefiningCAMsThere'snouniversallyagreeddefinitionofCAMs.Although"complementaryandalternative"isoftenusedasasinglecategory,itcanbeusefultomakeadistinctionbetweenthe2terms.TheUSNationalCenterforComplementaryandIntegrativeHealth(NCCIH)usesthisdistinction:Whenanon-mainstreampracticeisusedtogetherwithconventionalmedicine,it'sconsidered"complementary".Whenanon-mainstreampracticeisusedinsteadofconventionalmedicine,it'sconsidered"alternative".Therecanbeoverlapbetweenthesecategories.Forexample,aromatherapymaysometimesbeusedasacomplementarytreatment,andinothercircumstancesisusedasanalternativetreatment.Anumberofcomplementaryandalternativetreatmentsaretypicallyusedwiththeintentionoftreatingorcuringahealthcondition.Examplesinclude:homeopathyacupunctureosteopathychiropracticherbalmedicinesDecidingtousecomplementaryoralternativetreatmentsTounderstandwhetheratreatmentissafeandeffective,weneedtochecktheevidence.YoucanlearnmoreabouttheevidenceforparticularCAMsbyreadingaboutindividualtypesoftreatment.SeeourindexforalistofallconditionsandtreatmentscoveredbytheNHSwebsite.Somecomplementaryandalternativemedicinesortreatmentsarebasedonprinciplesandanevidencebasethatarenotrecognisedbythemajorityofindependentscientists.Othershavebeenproventoworkforalimitednumberofhealthconditions.Forexample,there'sevidencethatosteopathyandchiropracticpracticesareeffectivefortreatinglowerbackpain.Whenapersonusesanyhealthtreatment,includingaCAM,andexperiencesanimprovement,thismaybeduetotheplaceboeffect.CAMsandtheNHSTheavailabilityofCAMsontheNHSislimited,andinmostcasestheNHSwillnotoffersuchtr

A complementary therapy means you can use it alongside your conventional medical treatment. It may help you to feel better and cope better with your cancer ...SkiptomaincontentHomeAboutCancerGeneralcancerinformationTreatmentforcancerComplementaryandalternativetherapiesAboutcomplementaryandalternativetherapiesThedifferencebetweencomplementaryandalternativetherapies(CAMs)Thereisanimportantdifferencebetweenacomplementarytherapyand analternativetherapy.Thephrasescomplementarytherapyandalternativetherapyareoftenusedasiftheymeanthesamething.Theymayalsobecombinedintoonephrase–complementaryandalternativetherapies(CAMs).Acomplementarytherapymeansyoucanuseitalongsideyourconventionalmedicaltreatment.Itmayhelpyoutofeelbetterandcopebetterwithyourcancerandtreatment.Analternativetherapyisgenerallyusedinsteadofconventionalmedicaltreatment.Allconventionalcancertreatments,suchaschemotherapyandradiotherapy,havetogothroughrigoroustestingbylawinordertoprovethattheywork. Mostalternativetherapieshavenotbeenthroughsuchtestingandthereisnoscientificevidencethattheywork.Sometypesofalternativetherapymaynotbecompletelysafeandcouldcauseharmfulsideeffects.Talktoyourcancerdoctor,GP,orspecialistnurseifyou'reconsideringusinganycomplementaryoralternativetherapies.Sometreatmentsmayinteract.Alsoletyourcomplementaryoralternativetherapistknowaboutyourconventionalcancertreatment.ReadaboutthesafetyofcomplementaryandalternativetherapiesWhatarecomplementarytherapies?Complementarytherapiesareusedalongsideconventionalmedicaltreatmentsprescribedbyyourdoctor.Theycanhelppeoplewithcancertofeelbetterandmayimproveyourqualityoflife.Theymayalsohelpyoutocopebetterwithsymptomscausedbythecancerorsideeffectscausedbycancertreatment.Agoodcomplementarytherapistwon'tclaimthatthetherapywillcureyourcancer.TheywillalwaysencourageyoutodiscussanytherapieswithyourcancerdoctororGP.Therearemanydifferenttypesofcomplementarytherapy,including:aromatherapyacupunctureherbalmedicinemassagetherapyvisualisationyogaManyhealthprofessionalsare 

Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine includes practices such as massage, acupuncture, tai chi, ...SkiptomaincontentEspañol1-800-4-CANCERLiveChatPublicationsDictionaryHomeAboutCancerCancerTreatmentCancerTreatmentTypesofCancerTreatmentSurgeryRadiationTherapyExternalBeamRadiationBrachytherapySideEffectsChemotherapyImmunotherapySideEffectsCheckpointInhibitorsT-cellTransferTherapyMonoclonalAntibodiesCancerTreatmentVaccinesImmuneSystemModulatorsTargetedTherapyHormoneTherapyStemCellTransplantPrecisionMedicineBiomarkerTestingSideEffectsofCancerTreatmentClinicalTrialsInformationFindNCI-SupportedClinicalTrialsStepstoFindaClinicalTrialHelpWithClinicalTrialsSearchWhatAreClinicalTrials?WhereTrialsTakePlaceTypesofClinicalTrialsPhasesofClinicalTrialsRandomizationUseofPlacebosResearchTeamMembersPayingforClinicalTrialsInsuranceCoverageandClinicalTrialsHowtoWorkWithYourHealthInsurancePlanFederalGovernmentProgramsPatientSafetyInformedConsentChildren'sAssentScientificReviewEndingTrialsEarlyDecidingtoTakePartinaTrialQuestionstoAskaboutTreatmentClinicalTrialsSelectedNCI-SupportedTrialsAtoZListofCancerDrugsDrugsApprovedforDifferentTypesofCancerDrugsApprovedforChildhoodCancersDrugsApprovedforConditionsRelatedtoCancerOff-LabelDrugUseAccesstoExperimentalDrugsComplementary&AlternativeMedicine(CAM)CAMforPatientsCAMforHealthProfessionalsQuestionstoAskaboutYourTreatmentResearchComplementaryandAlternativeMedicineComplementaryandalternativemedicineincludespracticessuchasmassage,acupuncture,taichi,anddrinkinggreentea.Credit:iStockComplementaryandalternativemedicine(CAM)isthetermformedicalproductsandpracticesthatarenotpartofstandardmedicalcare.PeoplewithcancermayuseCAMto:Helpcopewiththesideeffectsofcancertreatments,suchasnausea,pain,andfatigueComfortthemselvesandeasetheworriesofcancertreatmentandrelatedstressFeelthattheyaredoingsomethingtohelpwiththeirowncareTrytotreatorcuretheircancerIntegrativemedicineisanapproachtomedicalcarethatcombinesstandardmedicinewi

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8. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Alternative medicine is a term that describes medical treatments that are used instead of traditional (mainstream) therapies. Some people also ...NewsReferenceQuizzesSlideshowsVideosQuestions&AnswersFindaPsychologistABalancedLifeTakeItEasyCAMTreatmentsQuit-SmokingAssessmentAnxiety&PanicDisordersMentalHealthSmokingCessationStressManagementMoreRelatedTopicsHealth&BalanceGuideReviewedbyMelindaRatini, DO, MSonMarch20,2019InthisArticleAcupunctureChiropracticMedicineEnergyTherapiesHerbalMedicineAyurvedicMedicineAlternativemedicineisatermthatdescribesmedicaltreatmentsthatareusedinsteadoftraditional(mainstream)therapies.Somepeoplealsorefertoitas“integrative,”or“complementary”medicine.MorethanhalfofadultsintheUnitedStatessaytheyusesomeformofalternativemedicine.Butexactlywhattypesoftherapiesareconsideredalternative?Thedefinitionchangesasdoctorstestandmovemoreofthemintothemainstream.Thisarticleexaminessomepopularalternativemedicaltreatmentsandtheirpotentialrisksandbenefits.AcupunctureThisisatraditionalChinesemedicinetechniquethatusesneedlestostimulatespecificpointsaroundthebody.Thepersonwhoperformsthistherapy(anacupuncturist)sticksthin,sterileneedlesintoyourskin.Thegoalistohelpyourbody’snaturalhealingprocesskickin.Studiesshowthatacupuncturecanbeeffectiveintreatinganumberofconditions,likeneckandbackpain,nausea,anxiety,depression,insomnia,infertility,andmore.ChiropracticMedicineThispracticefocusesonthebody’sstructure--mainlythespine--andhowitfunctions.Atrainedprofessionalcalledachiropractorusesdifferenttechniquestoadjust(“manipulate”)yourspineorotherpartsofyourbodysothatthey’reinproperform,oralignment.ContinuedThegoalofchiropracticmedicineistoeasepain,improvebodyfunction,andhelpyourbodytohealitselfnaturally.Muchoftheresearcharoundithasfocusedonlowbackpain.Butstudiesshowchiropracticcanalsobehelpfulforanumberofotherailments,likeheadaches,neckpain,jointproblemsinyourupperandlowerbody,anddisorderscausedbywhiplash.EnergyTherapiesThesefocusontheenergyfieldsmanypeoplebelieveexistinanda

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9. Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Traditional alternative medicine. This field includes the more mainstream and accepted forms of therapy, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and Oriental practices ...SkipNavigationCOVID-19UpdateDuetointerestintheCOVID-19vaccines,weareexperiencinganextremelyhighcallvolume.Pleaseunderstandthatourphonelinesmustbeclearforurgentmedicalcareneeds. WeareunabletoacceptphonecallstoscheduleCOVID-19vaccinationsatthistime.Whenthischanges,wewillupdatethiswebsite.Ourvaccinesupplyremainslimited. ReadallCOVID-19VaccineInformation.PatientCareOptions|VisitorGuidelines|CoronavirusInformation|Self-Checker|GetEmailAlertsHealthHomeWellnessandPreventionTypesofComplementaryandAlternativeMedicineFacebookTwitterLinkedinPinterestPrintWhatarethedifferenttypesofCAM?Manydifferentareasmakeupthepracticeofcomplementaryandalternativemedicine(CAM).Inaddition,manypartsofonefieldmayoverlapwiththepartsofanotherfield.Forexample,acupunctureisalsousedinconventionalmedicine.IntheU.S.,CAMisusedbyabout38%ofadultsand12%ofchildren.ExamplesofCAMinclude:Traditionalalternativemedicine.Thisfieldincludesthemoremainstreamandacceptedformsoftherapy,suchasacupuncture,homeopathy,andOrientalpractices.Thesetherapieshavebeenpracticedforcenturiesworldwide.Traditionalalternativemedicinemayinclude:AcupunctureAyurvedaHomeopathyNaturopathyChineseorOrientalmedicineBody.Touchhasbeenusedinmedicinesincetheearlydaysofmedicalcare.Healingbytouchisbasedontheideathatillnessorinjuryinoneareaofthebodycanaffectallpartsofthebody.If,withmanualmanipulation,theotherpartscanbebroughtbacktooptimumhealth,thebodycanfullyfocusonhealingatthesiteofinjuryorillness.Bodytechniquesareoftencombinedwiththoseofthemind.Examplesofbodytherapiesinclude:ChiropracticandosteopathicmedicineMassageBodymovementtherapiesTaichiYogaDietandherbs.Overthecenturies,manhasgonefromasimpledietconsistingofmeats,fruits,vegetables,andgrains,toadietthatoftenconsistsoffoodsrichinfats,oils,andcomplexcarbohydrates.Nutritionalexcessanddeficiencyhavebecomeproblemsintoday'ssociety,bothleadi

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