Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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DESCRIPTION

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are systems, practices, and products that are not typically part of mainstream medical care. “Complementary” practices are used alongside standard treatments, while “alternative” therapies are used in place of conventional medicine. Integrative medicine is the coordinated combination of complementary medicine with conventional medicine. Functional medicine is a patient-centered approach that focuses on addressing the root cause of disease. CAM modalities often emphasize lifestyle medicine/strategies (which focuses on prevention and treatment of chronic diseases through behavioral modifications) and take a complete biopsychosocial approach to care.

  • Common examples:
    • Meditation, mindfulness, relaxation
    • Yoga, qigong, tai chi
    • Specialized diets
    • Herbal and dietary supplements
    • Massage
    • Osteopathic manipulative therapy
    • Chiropractic therapy
    • Acupuncture (including needling, moxibustion, cupping)
    • Ayurvedic medicine, East Asian medicine, Naturopathic medicine
    • Biofeedback (including heart rate variability, thermal, EEG, EMG)
  • Common reasons patients choose CAM:
    • Additive therapy to address issues not covered by conventional medical treatment
    • Conventional medicine has been unsuccessful in fully addressing the ailment.
    • Preventative health care and/or a desire for a more holistic/natural/noninvasive approach to well-being
    • Concern about medication or treatment side effects
    • Cultural or familial belief systems

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Approximately 36.7% of adults in the United States reported using at least one form of CAM in 2022, increased from 19.2% in 2002.
  • CAM is more commonly used by women and those with higher education levels.
  • CAM is most frequently used to treat musculoskeletal issues; 59–90% of patients claim that the use of alternative therapy helped their chronic pain.

Prevalence

An estimated 60–70% of North Americans have tried at least one form of CAM.

COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

Acute/chronic pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, insomnia, fatigue, cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, depression/anxiety, low libido, weight loss, asthma, eczema, tinnitus, autoimmune disease, PMS

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