CAM Treatments

Many people are looking for something beyond the hustle and bustle of everyday life -- a sense of peace in spite of circumstances. You needn't be religious to do so, either. Learn more.

Complementary & Alternative Medicine
1. Differences Between Complementary and Alternative Medicines Many people take “complementary medicine” and “alternative medicine” to mean the same thing. And, although they are often grouped together under the umbrella of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine), they’re actually different.
2. CAM Treatment: What Are There Risks? Yes, there can be risks, as with any medical therapy. These risks depend upon the specific CAM treatment.
3. Measuring Effectiveness of CAM Treatment Statements that manufacturers and providers of CAM therapies may make about the effectiveness of a therapy and its other benefits can sound reasonable and promising. However, they may or may not be backed up by scientific evidence.
4. What Is Alternative Medicine? Alternative medicine is a term that describes medical treatments that are used instead of traditional (mainstream) therapies. Some people also refer to it as “integrative,” or “complementary” medicine.
5. Acupressure Points and Massage Treatment Used for thousands of years in China, acupressure applies the same principles as acupuncture to aid relaxation and wellness and to treat disease.
6. Massage Therapy Styles and Health Benefits Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, if you need or want a massage, you can choose from among 80 massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques.
7. Chelation Therapy When metals like lead, mercury, iron, and arsenic build up in your body, they can be toxic. Chelation therapy is a treatment that uses medicine to remove these metals so they don't make you sick.
8. Cupping Therapy Supporters of cupping therapy believe the suction of the cups mobilizes blood flow to promote the healing of a broad range of medical ailments.
9. Natural Colon Cleansing: Is It Necessary? Is colon cleansing good for you? The jury is still out. That is because researchers have devoted little study to colon cleansing. For now, here is some information that might help you decide whether colon cleansing is for you.
10. Holistic Medicine Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness.
11. Alternative Therapies and Pregnancy As with certain medications, there are many alternative therapies deemed unsafe for pregnant women. Before taking an alternative remedy, be sure to talk with your health care provider.
12. Sleep Disorders Alternative Therapy In the area of sleep disorders, some complementary and alternative therapies used include supplements, relaxation and meditation, acupuncture, and exercise.
Whole Medical Systems
1. Overview of Whole Medical Systems Whole medical systems involve complete systems of theory and practice that have evolved independently from or parallel to conventional medicine. Major Eastern whole medical systems include traditional Chinese medicine, Kampo medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine. Major Western whole medical systems include homeopathy and naturopathy.
2. Ayurvedic Medicine Ayurvedic medicine (“Ayurveda” for short) is one of the world's oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India.
3. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) TCM is an ancient system of health and wellness that’s been used in China for thousands of years. Western medicine focuses mainly on treating disease. But TCM looks at your entire well-being.
4. Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic medicine is a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies, including herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counseling.
Meditation & Mindfulness
1. Transcendental Meditation Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a technique for avoiding distracting thoughts and promoting a state of relaxed awareness.
2. Meditation, Stress, and Your Health Meditation is a simple technique that, if practiced for as few as 10 minutes each day, can help you control stress, decrease anxiety, improve cardiovascular health, and achieve a greater capacity for relaxation.
3. What Mindfulness Can Do for You You’ve heard the buzz about “mindfulness,” but you’re not sure what it is or how to apply it to your life. Turns out, it’s as simple as taking a few moments to focus on yourself.

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