- Alternative Medical Systems
- Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory
and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier
than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples
of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures
include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems
that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese
medicine and Ayurveda.
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- Mind-Body Interventions
- Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance
the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some
techniques that were considered CAM in the past have become mainstream
(for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy).
Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation,
prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art,
music, or dance.
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- Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
- Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation
and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples
include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.
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- Biologically Based Therapies
- Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature,
such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary
supplements, herbal products, and the use of other so-called
"natural" but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example,
using shark cartilage to treat cancer).
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- Energy Therapies
- Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are
of two types:
- Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that
purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The
existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically
proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by
applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the
hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong,
Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.
- Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional
use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields,
magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct current
fields.
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