Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Essay Example

Complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies including traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy and neuropathy have gained considerable popularity in recent years. Why have so many chosen such therapies in preferences to western medicine? What are the actual benefits and risks of alternative therapies? How can the industry be better to ensure high standard of public health and safety. This essay will thresh out general and various information about complementary and alternative medicine. Likewise, it would enumerate some advantages and the reasons why some forms of CAM are used together with standard medical practices to effect healing. It also points out why CAM therapies are not solely used and recommended by registered allied professional health workers. Improving the quality of life calls for putting great importance on health and well being. Thus, to improve health status, access to quality affordable health products and services should be attained, wherein building a strong healthy citizenry entails the collaboration and partnerships with various health sectors of the society. Alternative medicine was often perceived to be “weird,” until recently when licensed medical practitioners have often incorporated alternative procedures with standard ones to achieve better or satisfactory results. The main objective of complementary medicine is to achieve best possible improvement and recovery from physical, mental, emotional and spiritual disorder (HealthGuide, 2003). It suggests a “whole approach” method that highlights the need to look at all the aspects of a person, which incorporates physical analysis, emotional, social, lifestyle and spiritual values. It likewise center on education and responsibility for personal efforts to achieve balance and well being (HealthGuide, 2003). In relation to this, more people are using alternative treatment therapy instead of the standard practices and procedures, or in addition to Western medical treatment for any form of sickness due to some customs, beliefs and traditions that were implanted long before they were born. Before the development of standard medical practices, people received their health care needs from folk healers and through home remedies that were generally used for curing and healing (Anderson, 2001). Relatively speaking some cases, properly chosen non-invasive and non- pharmaceutical healing techniques combined with a modification of lifestyle can safely heal many illnesses that pervade the human body. Moreover, the ancient Chinese perceives the body to possess a vital energy called “wei chi”, which naturally acts on the body’s immune system to create a healthy bodily balance (HealthGuide, 2003). It is believed that chi energy flows through the body in certain and well-defined channels. Wei Chi depends on nutritious food, clean air, pure water and freedom to move about. It also requires the person to believe in the body’s ability to attain health power (HealthGuide, 2003). It further affirms that sickness and disease is a result from the internal and external impediment of the Chi’s natural flow. Complementary medicine is a treatment or procedure employed in addition to standard or conventional treatment a doctor prescribes; while alternative medicines pertain to using other forms of recovery or treatment procedures in order to relieve pain or anxiety and get well, The recognition of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is based on people who have demands and are trying to find ways and means to make healing and recovery effective. Most complementary and alternative medicine includes basic philosophies or standards that must be followed such as (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2007): 1. Preventing infection and contamination to maintain health – taking extra steps to prevent sickness by properly caring for one’s self. 2. The body should have the ability to heal itself – this means that the body has its own healing power which encourages natural healing routes. 3. Learning and healing always go together – most alternative healing practitioners are guides and are believed to be the ones who does the healing 4. Holistic care - the focus of healing is on the whole person. Needs are interrelated and have something to contribute to the whole healing process. There are many forms of alternative practices that are currently being introduce and used to perform healing measures in the form of Acupuncture, Alexander technique, Aroma Therapy, Ayurveda, Bach Flower Remedies, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Tai Chi, Yoga, etc. To illustrate explicitly complementary and alternative medicine, let us take a look at Herbalism. Herbalism refers to the use of herbs to treat illness and restore balance back into the body and is considered one of the oldest forms of medical treatment. But medicinal plants should only be taken when needed since there is no guarantee of the purity or potency of the herbs. Thus, when taking medicinal plant or any herbal remedy, the recommended dosages should be taken at the suggested intervals, because like other approved pharmaceutically manufactured medicines overdosing from medicinal plants or any herbs can have adverse effects. It is essential to note that at the first sign of an allergic reaction or if it does not seem to work to stop the medication and discontinue use. Most herbal remedies even in preserved dried, liquid or powdered form inform its users that it does not claim to have any therapeutic effects (Modern Guide to Health, 2003). Doctors at present did not receive any form of complementary and alternative medicine training, but since some form of therapies gain ground and are proven to be effective, most doctors refer their patients to practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine. But uncertainty usually abounds because some practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine asks claim to be able to cure disease and forego conventional treatment (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2007). CAM relies on procedures and techniques that are proven to be harmless and effective since it conforms to correct research and experiment. However, “most complementary and alternative treatments lack solid research on which to base sound decisions (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2007).” Hence, the hazards and probable advantage of many complementary and alternative treatments to this day continues to be unverified. While many alternative medical procedures and complementary medicines are being suggested it s always good to adhere on the safe side and not attempt any self-medication for serious ailments or injuries. The best thing would always be to see a conventional doctor or proceed to a hospital emergency room to avail of treatment. Before trying to enhance your standard medical treatment with complementary and alternative medicines analyze your diet, exercise habits and mental habits because it is better to deal with a lifestyle problem that affects health in addition to the health regimen prescribed by a doctor. All health organizations in coordination with local and national health authorities must aid people take better responsibility for their health by providing health information and education that are comprehensive and easy to understand (Cooper, 2005). Also patients should be given a choice on whether they would like to have alternative therapies because there is also an unexplained healing in the form of beliefs that were long time established within the minds of patients. References Anderson, Clifford R. 2001. Complementary Alternative Medicines. Lippincot Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, New York. Cooper, Edwin L. 2005, Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, ISSN 1741-4288, 2005 Oxford Journals Vol. 5, Number 4, pp. 365-366. HealthGuide. 2003. Complementary Health. MediMedia, pp.174 – 196. Mayo Clinic Staff. 26 October 2007. Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What is it? Retrieved on 29 November 2008 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alternative-medicine/PN00001 Modern Guide to Health. 2003. Complementary Medicine. McGraw Publishing House, N.Y., p. 13 – 22. Read More