Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a widely used term to describe various holistic therapies and healthcare systems that are held in contrast to the contemporary medical model used in Western cultures. Proponents of CAM methods highlight that these approaches treat and impact the “Whole” rather than specific parts and thus are referred to as holistic therapies. They can be categorized by their method of delivery. The National Institute of Health created a National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the 1990s in response to the rapid growth in the use of holistic therapies. The NIH has divided CAM into 5 domains: • Bodywork – massage, yoga, physical training… • Energy work – Reiki, Healing Touch, prayer… • Mind-Body – hypnosis, past life regression, meditation… • Bio Based – diets, herbs, supplements, … • Alternative Medicine – Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture), Ayurvedic Medicine, Shamanic modalities, …