Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
  • Home
  • Conditions

    Conditions

    View All
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Breast Cancer
    • Cancer
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • DVT
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Lung Disease
    • Lupus
    • Mental Health
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Migraine
    • Pain Management
    • Psoriasis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • View All
  • Drugs & Supplements

    Drugs & Supplements

    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    • Pill Identifier
    • Interaction Checker
  • Well-Being

    Well-Being

    View All
    • Aging Well
    • Baby
    • Birth Control
    • Children's Health
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Food & Recipes
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Men's Health
    • Parenting
    • Pet Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Teen Health
    • Women's Health
    • View All
  • Symptom Checker
  • Find a Doctor
  • More

    More

    • News
    • Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Newsletters
    • WebMD Magazine
    • Best Hospitals
    • Support Groups
    • Surgeries and Procedures
    • Orthopedics
  • Privacy & More
Log In
    • Health & Balance
    • Guide
    • A Balanced Life
      • Energy and Mood
      • Work-Life Balance
    • Take It Easy
      • Relax Your Body and Mind
      • Exercise Your Body and Mind
    • CAM Treatments
      • Complementary & Alternative Medicine
      • Whole Medical Systems
      • Meditation & Mindfulness
    • View Full Guide

    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.

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    Top Picks

    Today on WebMD

    Strike a Pose

    6 health benefits of yoga.

    Stressed Out?

    10 relaxation techniques to try.

    What Colors Your World?

    Different hues may affect your mood, diet, and more.

    What Affects Your Personality?

    Learn why you are the way you are.

    Recommended for You

    10 Health Myths Debunked

    How Bad Habits Affect Your Health

    12 Myths About Hangovers

    Health Solutions from Our Sponsors

    • Penis Curved When Erect?
    • Could I have CAD?
    • Treat Bent Fingers
    • Treat HR+, HER2- MBC
    • Tired of Dandruff?
    • Benefits of CBD
    • Rethink MS Treatment
    • AFib-Related Strokes
    • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
    • Is My Penis Normal?
    • Relapsing MS Options
    • Liver Transplants Save Lives
    • Finance Plastic Surgery
    • Bent Finger Causes
    • Living With Psoriasis?
    • Missing Teeth?

    More from WebMD

    • 5 Tips to Help With Relapsing MS
    • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
    • Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles
    • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
    • What Psoriasis Feels Like
    • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
    • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
    • Crohn's: A 'Full-Body' Disease
    • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
    • Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
    • Live Better With Psoriatic Disease
    • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
    • 5 Health Benefits of Hemp
    • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
    • Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
    • Where Breast Cancer Spreads

    Related Links

    • Health and Balance News
    • Health and Balance Reference
    • Health and Balance Quizzes
    • Health and Balance Slideshows
    • Health and Balance Videos
    • Find a Psychologist
    • Quit-Smoking Assessment
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Mental Health
    • Smoking Cessation
    • Stress Management
    • More Related Topics
    • Policies

      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Editorial Policy
      • Advertising Policy
      • Correction Policy
      • Terms of Use
    • About

      • Contact Us
      • About WebMD
      • Careers
      • Newsletter
      • Corporate
      • WebMD Health Services
      • Site Map
      • Accessibility
    • Our Apps

      • WebMD Mobile
      • WebMD App
      • Pregnancy
      • Baby
      • Allergy
    • For Advertisers

      • Advertise with Us
      • Advertising Policy
    • Visit WebMD on Facebook
    • Visit WebMD on Twitter
    • Visit WebMD on Pinterest
    • TRUSTe
    • TAG Registered Seal
    • Adchoices

    © 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    See additional information.

    Logo for WebMD