What exactly is complementary and alternative medicine?

From aromatherapy to yoga, the use of complementary and alternative medicine is on the increase. It is one of the most confusing areas in health care - how do you choose which line of treatment is best for you?

WHAT EXACTLY IS COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM)?

The term complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used to describe the diverse mixture of health-orientated disciplines and treatments that are not currently regarded as part of conventional medicine. Some of these therapies are provided in conjunction with mainstream medical care (complementary) and others are seen as a substitute to conventional care (alternative) although the line between the two is often blurred. Many complementary and alternative medical systems originated in ancient or oriental systems of medicine (including the Indian practice Ayurveda, Chinese herbalism and yoga) and some are used as part of mainstream practice in the country of their origin to this day.

WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE TURNING TO CAM?

As 'healthcare consumers' we tend to be more demanding these days when it comes to finding a course of treatment that suits us. Complementary and alternative approaches generally share one major principle: it is not the symptom but the person who is treated, and care and time is taken to see the patient as a 'whole' person with physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs. Practitioners aim to promote wellness for the whole person, rather than just specific symptoms in a certain area of the body. This approach appeals to many people, especially those who are feeling generally 'under the weather', or those with chronic conditions which are not completely cured by conventional medicine.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OF CAM?

Some doctors dismiss much of alternative medicine as unproven and potentially dangerous nonsense. This view is an extreme one! However, it certainly helps to be aware of potential problems with CAM. Perhaps the biggest issue is the lack of clinical trials conducted throughout the area. This has a number of implications. When your GP prescribes you a medicine, his choice will be backed up by evidence supporting the effectiveness of the medicine, documenting its side-effects, and advising the amount of drug that is safe. If you take herbs given to you by a Chinese herbalist, none of these safeguards exist. Training and regulation of practitioners throughout CAM is often poor, so this is another problem you need to look out for.

SO HOW CAN I USE CAM THEN?

Lack of clinical evidence does not mean that there isn't lots of anecdotal evidence to support many complementary and alternative practices. Many people swear by the benefits of different therapies, and have even found them to be a life-changing experience. Maybe in the future these personal experiences will be backed up by clinical trials. In the meantime, your best bet is to choose your therapy wisely. Supporting your conventional therapy with a weekly yoga class is unlikely to do you harm, and may well make you feel better. Dropping conventional treatment to consult with a herbalist is a much more questionable strategy, especially if you have a serious medical condition. In fact, going entirely 'alternative' is probably a bad idea altogether - you should always keep your doctor informed about any complementary treatments you are undergoing, and use them as an adjunct to conventional practice.

WHERE CAN I FIND FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT CAM?

In November 2000, a House of Lords Select Committee (Science and Technology Sixth Report) presented a big study on complementary and alternative medicine in the UK.

It makes interesting reading for anyone interested in CAM and also talks about the evidence for different therapies - you can find the study at: http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk

The Institute of Complementary Medicine administers the British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP) - a list of registered practitioners. You can contact them via telephone on 020 7237 5165, or on their website.

This article comes from BUPA, a UK medical insurance company

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