Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Chapter 28
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)1. Define complementary and alternative medicine (CAM),
and describe CAM therapies currently in use. 2. Recognize the most common herbal products used in the
United States and recognize conditions they are used to treat.
3. Understand potential risks, such as side effects and drug-herbal interactions, that can occur with herbal product use.
4. Write the common and scientific names for the herbal products discussed in this chapter.
5. Recognize other CAM practices, including those pertaining to mind and body medicine and manipulative practices.
Lesson 28.1
What Is Alternative Medicine? Traditional medicine (allopathic medicine):
Prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, doctor visits, x-rays, laboratory tests, follow-up and regular visits
Alternative medicine: Visits to chiropractor, homeopathic doctor, or other practitioner, followed by specific treatments
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Alternative Medicine
Many types of alternative medicine are based on the belief in life forces or energies that have been disrupted in some way.
Many accepted traditional practices were once considered complementary and alternative therapies, such as physical and occupational therapy, group psychotherapy, and midwifery.
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Types of CAM
Natural products Manipulative practices Mind and body medicine
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Organization Related to CAM National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Three goals: Do research, train individuals, and
provide consumer with information Applies Western scientific methods to prove or
disprove the safety and effectiveness of various complementary and alternative treatments.
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Natural Products
Include: Herbals, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
Herbal is most common form 18% of adults take a nonvitamin of some kind
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Herbal Facts
Pharmacognosy= study of medicinal compounds derived from natural products, especially plants.
Researchers often work to identify the biochemical mechanism responsible for the therapeutic effects of an herbal preparation. For example, there are many current studies on
known antioxidants, such as green tea. FDA does not regulate herbs and herbal
supplements in the same way as drugs; herbs are considered dietary supplements.
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Herbal Products
Growing field: Increasing age of population, and increasing costs
Herbal medicine is experiencing a resurgence in the United States
Harmful interactions: Important to distinguish between legend drugs, OTC drugs, and herbal remedies
Many drugs used in traditional medicine derived from herbs; however, extensive testing and documentation has preceded their use
Specific herbal chemicals have been synthetically made in laboratories
Most American medicines discovered from plants do not use the whole plant
There are many different names for the same plant. 9
Garlic and Echinacea
Stress relief, anticancer, decreases blood pressure, colds, flu, and overall wellness
Overmedication: Heartburn, gastrointestinal (GI) burning
Do not take if diabetic Colds and infections; general immune booster Interaction: Immunosuppressants, and diabetics
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Saw Palmetto
Treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Mild diuretic Antiseptic Antiinflammatory agent Saw palmetto should not be used during
pregnancy.
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Ginkgo Biloba and Soy
Living fossil Poor circulation, asthma, blood pressure (BP), liver
function, increasing memory, and heart disease Interactions: Anticoagulants, BP medications,
epilepsy, and infertility Leaf: Medicinal agent Soy: Milk substitute
Infant use for lactose intolerance is common. Can be used for up to 16 weeks safely Doses up to 60 g per day
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Cranberry and Ginseng
Cranberry Treats urinary tract infections (UTIs) Considered safe
Ginseng Treats diabetes Treats respiratory tract infections Overall antiinflammatory
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Black Cohosh and Milk Thistle Used for hormone replacement, rheumatism,
cough, and insect repellent Blue or white cohosh are different; not used for
same things and may have different reactions Milk thistle treats liver conditions
No major contraindications Used intravenously for mushroom poisoning
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Herbal Preparations
Know the family name of herb Know species of herb (they vary) Safe dosages: Hard to determine; variety in
batches Strength varies according to time harvested, parts
of plant used, concentrations, and method of preparation
Brewed for teas: More potent than capsule form Tea preparation: Infusion, brew, decoctions, and
cold infusions
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Herbal References
One book used to reference herbal treatments is the multilingual Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, which details 530 of the most common herbs in the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopoeia.
In addition to properties and dosage information for each herb, it includes sections on herb identification and preparation.
European monographs are also important reference tools.
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Mind and Body Medicine
Fast growing and is a significant part of CAM. This is based on interaction among body, mind,
and behavior. Meditation Yoga Acupuncture
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Meditation and Yoga
Meditation originated in religious/spiritual traditions Focus attention to achieve calmness
Yoga Maintain physical health and flexibility
Hatha yoga is most common The 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
identified yoga as one of the top 10 complementary health practices used by adults in the United States; approximately 6% of respondents reported using yoga for health purposes in the previous 12 months.
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Acupuncture and Acupressure Used for conditions such as chronic pain,
depression, and addiction Based on Chinese belief that body is made of
energy channels Needles are applied to specific points of body to
unblock channels Acupressure
Closely related to acupuncture Uses specific energy points across the body Pressure applied by hand to specific points to
unblock channels
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Spinal Manipulation and Massage Therapy Changes in skeletal structure interfere with
nervous system and others Treatment by chiropractor is called manipulation
Hands-on adjustments of spine/joints Massage and beat therapy
Massage: Use of hands, fingers, elbows, and forearms to manipulate muscles and soft tissues Variety of health-related uses
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Spinal Manipulation and Massage Therapy Con’t Research has proved that some forms of
manipulation can be helpful, specifically manipulation of the lower back.
Practitioners must attend an accredited school to attain the degree Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).
It is used for a variety of health-related purposes, such as to relieve pain, rehabilitate physical injuries, induce relaxation, and reduce anxiety and stress.
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Ayurveda
Ancient Indian approach to medicine Takes both behavior/personality and physical body
type into account Based on person knowing spiritual self
Each person is a combination of the three mind/body types, or dosha.
Positive effect and negative effect on body Colors, sounds, clothing, environmental stimuli,
food types, and herbs Treatment based on type of personality Alter food and/or lifestyle to cure and prevent
illness 22
Biofeedback
Connects mind to body Used for anxiety, back pain, neuromuscular
dysfunction, and tension headaches Key component to its symptom relief is teaching
the patient how to relax. Body divided into two movements: Voluntary and
involuntary Voluntary: Musculoskeletal, and purposeful actions Involuntary: Heartbeat, breathing, and digestion
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