Complementary and

Alternative Medicine
(CAM) Part 1 & 2

Christine Foster, MA, LLPC, NCC

Mind Clearing

Healthcare in the US
The dominant healthcare
system in the US can be referred
by any of the following:
Western Medicine
Conventional Medicine
Biomedicine
Allopathic Medicine

Conventional Medicine

Refers to the dominant health care

system in the United States, Canada,
and much of Europe

Health is restored when the medical

practitioner treats the illness with either
drugs, vaccine, or surgery

Practitioners include:
M.D. or D.O. (medical degrees)
Other providers such as dentists,

optometrists, podiatrists, nurses, physical

therapists, dietitians, midwives, medical
assistants, etc.

Characteristics of
Conventional Medicine
Pathology-focused
Illness typically defined by over
symptomology

Illness is treated following infection

Prevention exists but secondary
Tx: pharmaceuticals, surgery
Non-individualistic

Complementary and
Alternative Medicine
(CAM)

Complementary medicine: Group of

practices used together with
conventional medicine

Alternative medicine: Group of

practices used as an alternative to
conventional medicine

Integrative medicine: Use of

conventional medicine in combination
with CAM practices that have been
proven safe and effective

Complementary and
Alternative Therapies
Complementary therapies are used
in conjunction with conventional or
mainstream medical modalities.
Alternative therapies are used
instead of conventional or
mainstream medical modalities.

Historic Foundation
Ancient Greecebaths, massage,
laughter, herbal therapy
Far Eastenergetic touch,
acupuncture
IndiaAyurvedic medicine
Shamanistic practicesfolk healing
that involves entering altered states
of consciousness

Current Trends
Mind/body medicine and research
The use of holism as part of
complete medical treatment plan

Characteristics of CAM

The body is believed to have an inherent

balance or ability to heal itself

The whole person is treated (physical, mental,

emotional, and spiritual)

Each person is unique, so treatment is

individualized

Many practices use a complex combination of

interventions, often involving many
medications at the same time along with
recommended behaviors

Classification and Use

of CAM Practices

There are five domains identified as

parts of CAM:

Mind-body practices
Biologically-based therapies
Manipulative and body-based therapies
Energy therapies
Whole medical systems
Employ practices from some or all of
the other domains

People report using CAM for a variety

of reasons:

Seeking to improve health and well-being

Relieve symptoms of a chronic disease or
illness
Seeking a more holistic approach to
health
Most often used in the treatment of back
pain

Mind/Body Interventions
Methods by which an individual can
consciously control some
sympathetic nervous system
functions.
Self-regulatory techniques include
meditation, relaxation, imagery,
biofeedback, and hypnosis and
spiritual therapies.

Mind-Body Practices

Mind-body practices are based on the premise that

the mind influences the body in ways that can
promote or detract from well-being. Such popular
practices include:
Deep breathing
Prayer
Meditation
Progressive relaxation
Visualization
Yoga
Biofeedback
Hypnosis
Tai Chi

Risks appear minimal as an

adjunct to conventional
medicine and is
considered inexpensive
and easy to learn

Meditation
Quieting of the mind by focusing
attention on sound or image or own
breathing.
Health benefits include decreased
respiration, heart rate, and oxygen
consumption, improved mood,
spiritual calm, and heightened
awareness.

Relaxation
Involves progressive muscle
relaxation.
Progressive relaxation is the
alternate tensing and relaxing of
muscles.
Clinicians can use relaxation
techniques to reduce pain and
stress in clients.

Imagery
Using the imagination to visualize a
pleasant, soothing image.
Clinicians can use guided imagery
with clients capable of hearing and
understanding the clinicians
suggestions.
Decreases physical tension, anxiety,
adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Hypnosis
Induces an altered state of
consciousness or awareness
resembling sleep and during which
the person is more receptive to
suggestion.
Hypnosis for smoking

Biofeedback
Measures physiological responses
like muscle tension, skin
temperature, and heart rate to
improve health by using signals from
clients own body.
Effective for a number of conditions,
including headaches, urinary
incontinence, hypertension, chronic
pain, ADHD, anxiety and many

Neurofeedback
Measures the brainwaves
Training to help alter the way the
brain waves work
Helps to decrease stress,
behavioral issues, ADHD,
migraines, insomnia, and many
other issues

Spiritual Therapies
Faith healingusually accomplished
through prayer. The healer is a
channel for divine power.
Healing prayerwhen praying,
people believe they are
communicating directly with God or
a Higher Power. Prayer can affect
well-being.

Manipulative and BodyBased Practices

Manipulative and body-based practices focus

on the bodys structures and systems, such as
bones, joints, muscles, soft tissues, and
circulatory system

These practices include the following:

Osteopathic medicine: Considered a form of
conventional medicine

Chiropractic medicine: Belief that illnesses are

the result of subluxation of the spine

Massage therapy and bodywork: Pressure

aimed at increasing blood flow and inducing
relaxation

Movement/Exercise
Associated with athletic exercise,
dance, celebration, and healing
rituals.
The primary goal of exercise is
fitness.
Other positive outcomes include
sleeping better and having more
energy.

Yoga/Yoga Therapy
Means union in Sanskrit.
Integrates mental, physical, and
spiritual energies to promote health
and wellness.
Breathing, posture, and movement.
Promotes relaxation, develops
proprioception, awareness of
movement, weight distribution, and
position.

Different Branches of Yoga

There are six different branches of yoga.
These include:
1.) Hatha Yogaor Yoga of Postures
Hatha Yogais perhaps the path of Yoga you are
most familiar with since this is the most popular
branch of Yoga in the West. This branch of Yoga
uses physical poses or Asana,Breathing
Techniquesor Pranayama, and Meditation to
achieve better health, as well as spirituality. There
are many styles within this path - Iyengar, Integral,
Astanga, Kripalu, and Jiva Mukti to name a few.

Different Branches (continued)

2.) Bhatki Yoga or Yoga of Devotion
Bhakti Yoga is the path most followed in India. This is the path
of the heart and devotion. Yogis who practice this branch sees
the "One" or the Divine in everyone and everything. Bhakti
Yoga teaches a person to have devotion to the "One" or to
Brahma by developing a person's love and acceptance for all
things.
3.) Raja Yogaor Yoga of Self-Control
Raja means "royal". This path is considered to be the King of
Yoga and this may be due to the fact that most of its
practitioners are members of religious and spiritual orders. Raja
Yoga is based on the teachings of the Eight Limbs of Yoga found
in the Yoga sutras.

Different Branches (continued)

4.) Jnana Yoga or Yoga of the Mind
Jnana Yoga is the path of Yoga that basically deals with
the mind, and as such, it focuses on man's intelligence.
Jnana Yogis consider wisdom and intellect as important
and they aim to unify the two to surpass limitations.
Since they wish to gain knowledge, they are open to
other philosophies and religion for they believe that an
open and rational mind is crucial in knowing the spirit.
5.) Karma Yoga or Yoga of Service
Karma Yoga is the path of service for in this path, it is
believed that your present situation is based on your
past actions. So by doing selfless service now, you are
choosing a future that is free from negativity and
selfishness. Karma Yogis change their attitude towards
the good and in the process, change their souls, which
leads to a change in their destiny.

Different Branches (continued)

6.) Tantra Yoga or Yoga of Rituals
Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the paths, Tantra Yoga is
about using rituals to experience what is sacred. Although sex
is a part of it, sex is not the whole of it since this path aims to
find what is sacred in everything we do. Tantra Yogis must
possess certain qualities like purity, humility, devotion,
dedication to his Guru, cosmic love, and truthfulness among
other things.
The ultimate goal of yoga is cessation of the fluctuations of the
mind. This one Sutra holds the key and the goal to allyoga
practice. The entire scienceof yoga is based on this one Sutra:
'If you can control the fluctuations of the mind you will
experience Yoga'.

Tai Chi
Looking for harmony with nature
and the universe through
complementary (yin and yang)
balance.
A series of slow, continuously
flowing movements.
Improves flexibility, range of
motion, muscle strength, and
balance.

Origins of Tai Chi

Martial Art and Longevity exercise
Foundation comes from Taoism and
Confucianism
Promoted by Chinese Government
Chang San-Feng(Creator)-1279 to
1368
Endless flow

Chiropractic Therapy
Based on the principle that the brain
sends vital energy to every organ in
the body via the nerves originating
in the spinal column.
The body is rebalanced and
realigned using spinal adjustment
techniques.
Licensed in all 50 states.

Therapeutic Massage
The application of hand pressure and
motion to improve the recipients
well-being.
A back rub or massage results in
relaxation, increased circulation of
the blood and lymph, and relief from
musculoskeletal stiffness, spasm,
pain.

Touch
The means of perceiving or
experiencing through tactile
sensation.
The meaning of touch and the body
areas acceptable to touch vary
from culture to culture.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the process of
inserting fine needles into a person
at specific acu-point along a
meridian.
At least 15 acupuncture needles
can fit into one hypodermic needle.
There are 14 meridians that the qi
travels on throughout the body,
running head to foot.

Acupuncture (continued)
Acupuncture is being more widely
accepted in the United States as a
complementary practice to be
conjoined with routine care.
The categories of diagnosis are:
Hot vs. Cold
Internal vs. External
Yin vs. Yang
Deficit vs. Excess

Moxibustion

Acupressure
Based on Chinese theory stating
that the body is divided into
meridian channels through which qi,
or energy, flows.
Acupressure releases blocked energy
when specific points (Tsubas) are
pressed with the fingers, thumbs,
and hands.

Reflexology
Art and science of enervating over
7,000 nerves in the feet believed to
correspond to every muscle system
and organ in the body.
Promotes health by relieving
pressures and accumulation of
toxins in the corresponding body
part.

Shiatsu
Shiatsu utilizes the forearm, elbow,
knee, and foot to activate the points.
Both acupressure and Shiatsu
relieve tension.
Contraindications include venous
stasis, phlebitis, and traumatic and
deep tissue injuries.

Cupping
Form of alternative medicine
where cups are placed on the body
to create suction.
Commonly combined with
acupuncture
Types:
Wet
Dry
Massage/Gliding
Cupping Demo

What are the Effects of Cupping?

Bring deep toxins to the surface of
the skin (Removal by Wet Cupping)
Realigns the flow of qi
Breaks up obstructions
Relieves pain
Expands blood vessels
Opens Pores

Tools Used for Cupping

Custom Cups
Glass
Bamboo
Earthenware (pottery)
Medical-grade silicone
(recyclable and only with pump)
Metal

Herbs, Alcohol, or Paper set on fire

Pump when fire is not used for suction.

Energy Therapies

Energy therapies are typically

considered the most controversial CAM
practices

Underlying idea is that humans are

infused with energy and that this
energy can be modified to influence
health

Some examples include:

Magnetic-field therapies: Use of magnets

to increase energy flow

Qigong: Channeled breathing with
movement
Therapeutic touch and reiki: Healing touch
concept

Energy Therapies
Use of the hands to direct or redirect
the flow of the bodys energy fields
and enhance balance within those
fields.
Includes touch, therapeutic
massage, therapeutic touch, healing
touch, acupressure, and reflexology.
Reiki Demo

Healing Touch
An energy therapy using hands to
clear, energize, and balance the
energy field.
The practitioner re-aligns the energy
flow, which reactivates the
mind/body/spirit connection to
eliminate blockages to self-healing.

Therapeutic Touch
Based on the ancient practice of
the laying on of hands and using
the hands to direct energy to
achieve a balanced state.

Biologically-Based
Practices

Biologically-based practices include the

use of the following:
Dietary supplements
Herbal remedies or botanicals

Therapeutic food plans involve

reduction or removal of certain types of
foods for a set time period

Dietary alterations are usually used as

an adjunct or complement to other
forms of therapy

Phytochemicals
Nonnutritive, physiologically active
compounds present in plants in very
small amounts.
Protect against cancer and prevent
heart disease, stroke, and cataracts.
Consumption of a wide variety of
fruits and vegetables provides best
supply.

Antioxidants
Substances that prevent or inhibit
oxidation.
Prevent tissue damage from free
radicals, which are unstable
molecules that can damage cells
and trigger cancer growth.
May prevent heart disease, cancer,
cataracts.

Herbs/Herbal Remedies
Used for centuries in care of the
sick.
Some herbs, when used with
prescribed medications, can cause
potentially harmful herb-drug
interactions.
During assessment, ask specifically
about use of herbal and vitamin
supplements.

Probiotics
Microorganisms that are ingested
in order to improve health
Believed some illnesses/diseases
are caused as a result of an
imbalance
Can be found in many forms:
Food
Tablets
Powders

Aromatherapy
Therapeutic use of concentrated
essences or essential oils extracted
from plants and flowers.
Aromas cause physiological,
psychological, pharmacological
reactions.
These oils should be used
intelligently and with caution.

Homeopathy

Developed by German chemist and physician

Samuel Hahnemann and includes the law of
similars and the principle of minimal dose

Substance that causes disease in a healthy

person can cure the same symptoms in a sick
person

Remedies intended to encourage the body to

heal itself; smallest possible dose will have
greatest effect

Every patient is unique

Appears to be no significant risk associated

with homeopathy except possible delay of
diagnosis and other treatments

Naturopathy

Main principle is that the body has the ability to

heal itself, especially through nutrition

Focus is on cleansing and strengthening the body

rather than on treating the symptoms of a specific
illness

Treatments include dietary modification,

nutritional supplementation, herbal remedies,
hydrotherapy, massage, homeopathy,
acupuncture, biofeedback, stress reduction
techniques, and lifestyle counseling

Only limited data for evaluating naturopathy as a

complete system are available

Whole Medical Systems

Umbrella term for a collection of
practices used for therapeutic
benefit
Examples:
Ayurvedic medicine
TCM
Native American healing

Ayurveda

One of the oldest healing systems in the world

Three energy sources known as doshas are

believed to exist in everyone:
Vatta: Energy of movement, consists of space and

Has been practiced in India for 5,000 years

Emphasizes balance among the body, mind, and
spirit and sets a goal of restoring harmony to the
individual

air

Pitta: Energy of metabolism and digestion, consists

of fire and water

Kapha: Energy that forms body structure and holds
cells together, consists of earth and water

When your three doshas are in balance, you

are considered in good health

Traditional Chinese
Medicine

A well-developed medical system that

has been in existence for nearly 3,000
years

Focuses on maintaining or restoring the

physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
of the individual

Illness occurs when your qi (chi) or

energy force is disturbed or imbalanced
(yin-yang principle)

Diagnosis involves evaluating an

individual for signs of imbalance

Treatment methods include:

Herbal medicine, acupuncture,

acupressure, and dietary modification

Traditional Chinese
Medicine
Based on Qi (energy flow in and
out of body)
Meridian Mapping
Use of tongue and pulses
Herbology, Acupuncture,
Acupressure, and Diet

Native American
Medicine

Healing and spirituality merge

Physical well-being associated with spiritual balance

and illness associated with imbalance

Healers, sometimes called shamans or medicine

men or women, are considered to have spiritual
powers or ties to the supernatural

The ability to heal is seen as a gift and often passed

down through several generations of a family

Healers learn the medicinal uses of roots, herbs, and

other plants

Remedies may include prayer, healing touch, herbal

teas, tinctures, charms, and healing rituals

OTHER METHODOLOGIES
Humor
Animal-assisted therapy
Music therapy
Play therapy
Neuro-Emotional Technique

Humor
Determine the clients perception
of what is humorous.
Can relieve anxiety, improve
respiratory function, promote
relaxation, enhance immunological
function, and decrease pain by
stimulating endorphin production.

Animal-Assisted Therapy
Has many applications including
overcoming physical limitations,
improving mood, lowering blood
pressure, and improving
socialization skills and self-esteem.

Music Therapy
Pleasurable sound and music can
reduce stress, perception of pain,
anxiety, and feelings isolation.

Play Therapy
Especially useful with children.
Constitutes a method for children to
communicate their needs and
feelings to care providers.

Neuro-Emotional
Technique
Based out of chiropractic care
Utilizes meridians from TCM
Aimed at uncovering and
clearing unconscious, blocked
emotions
Emotional reality
Emotional attachment
NET Website

Stress Relief Technique

Making Informed
Healthcare Choices

Conventional medicine, CAM, and selfcare are three intersecting areas of

healthcare
Consumers need to do the following:
Consult with their conventional care

physician
Research the therapy and provider
Use their critical thinking skills in
evaluating the safety issues
Check the overall cost of treatment
Consider the overall effectiveness
towards their main goal

Sectors of Health Care