Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Complementary and alternative medicine has gained popularity over the past few years as more people turn to this form of medicine to treat various ailments. In some cases, CAM is used in conjunction with conventional medicine, while in other instances, it is the last resort when conventional treatment methods have failed. There are forms of CAM, including acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, Ayurveda, homeopathy, among many others. Treatments classified under CAM are any of those that do not fall under conventional treatment methods. CAM differs from conventional methods in many ways, with the most significant being regulation. In examining Complementary and alternative medicine, some significant areas of interest include regulation, relationship with conventional medicine and the effectiveness of different types of CAM.

In the United States and many other countries across the world, CAM is largely unregulated. Some CAM treatments are recognized under government regulations, but most are not. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration is responsible for regulating conventional medicine, especially drugs and equipment used in medical procedures (Darrow et al., 2020). Before any drug or equipment is approved for use, there should be rigorous testing and a strict approval process designed to protect the safety of users. Complementary medicine must be proven to be effective for the conditions they treat through extensive and rigorous procedures. For this reason, conventional medicine is a trusted and reliable treatment for most illnesses. In contrast, CAM relies on history and opinions of practitioners and users, without any clinical trials that prove their efficiency. This leaves people who use CAM at risk due to a lack of regulation. For example, the FDA classifies most drugs and supplements under CAM as food, meaning risk falls on the consumers. Many people who choose CAM do so because they are looking for a more natural way to treat their illness (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2021). However, natural is not always safe, which is why it is best to use drugs and treatments that have been scientifically tested.

The National Institute of Cancer, which falls under the National Institute of Health, gives useful definitions of the terms alternative, complementary, and integrative used in CAM. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional treatments. Complementary medicine is used in conjunction with conventional medicine and is not considered a standard form of treatment. Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with CAM treatments that have been scientifically tested and proven based on patients’ wishes (National Institute of Cancer). Conventional medicine plays a role in complementary and integrative medicine, but not in alternative medicine since it is not used. In integrative medicine, conventional medicine plays a central role as it is used with proven CAM treatments. In complementary medicine, conventional treatments also play a central role as CAM is only used to supplement them. 

The main philosophy underlying complementary medicine is holistic care, which involves treating patients based on the idea of a whole person. If one part of the whole is unwell, it causes problems in other parts. When treating patients, CAM practitioners look at the whole body rather than just specific parts of the body. CAM also explores the relationship between the physical, spiritual, psychological, social, emotional and other aspects of a person.

Chronic pain is a major problem that is difficult for many patients to deal with. Chronic pain is also a characteristic of terminal and incurable illnesses such as cancer and arthritis. Alternative medicine procedures such as acupuncture can be quite helpful in lessening the pain and suffering that comes with such conditions. Osteoarthritis is a serious medical condition that affects joints and bones that worsens over time. Acupuncture can be effective in addressing this pain and make the patients more comfortable. Acupuncture is used as an integrative treatment as patients use both conventional medicine and acupuncture together. Vickers et al. conducted a secondary study that examined the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating chronic pain. They examined the results from 39 trials that involved 20 827 patients (Vickers et al. 2018). They concluded that acupuncture is effective for the treatment fi chronic pain, and its effects persisted over time.

In summary, complementary and alternative medicine is a noteworthy form of treatment that more people are taking note of. These practices have been in use for hundreds of years and proved to be effective, especially before conventional medicine was established. There are both pros and cons of CAM, and patients must take these into account before choosing CAM. One major challenge is the lack of regulation that leaves patients vulnerable in case of any accidents or dangerous side effects. CAM can be beneficial in case of chronic and terminal illnesses. The government should put in place regulations for CAM so that patients can get the benefits of these treatments and be sure that they are safe.

References

Darrow, J. J., Avorn, J., & Kesselheim, A. S. (2020). FDA approval and regulation of pharmaceuticals, 1983-2018. Jama, 323(2), 164-176.

Vickers, A. J., Vertosick, E. A., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N. E., Sherman, K. J., … & Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain, 19(5), 455-474.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2021, 6 June). “Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better.” https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/know-science/natural-doesnt-mean-betterNational Cancer Institute. (2021, 5 May). “Complementary and Alternative Medicine.” https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam