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“I found balance”
Published in Lester D. Friedman, Therese Jones, Routledge Handbook of Health and Media, 2022
Before addressing graphic medicine’s engagement with CAM, it may be instructive to consider basic and pertinent questions such as: what is CAM? why is it increasingly used in recent times? and what are the dominant attitudes toward it? CAM as a medical concept is “a collection of disparate healing practices” (Ruggie 3). Given the wide range of interventional types, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has grouped CAM into five domains: mind–body interventions (for example, yoga); alternative systems of medical practice (for example, herbal and homeopathic medicines); manual healing methods (for example, chiropractic); pharmacological and biological treatments (for example, Neural therapy); and energy therapies (for example, reiki, healing touch, polarity therapy) (Ruggie 4–6). While some practices are self-administered such as prayers and meditation, others are institutionalized systems such as massage therapy and yoga. Put differently, CAM is not a monolithic phenomenon but rather encompasses an assortment of health therapies and practices shaped by divergent philosophies and epistemologies. It is holistic, natural, and patient-centered and typically constructed in opposition to the mainstream medical paradigm, specifically western/allopathic medicine, which merely focuses on diagnosis and treatment.
Complementary and alternative medicine in context
Published in Janetta Bensouilah, Pregnancy Loss, 2021
Complementary and alternative medicine encompasses a great range of treatments and activities, but at present there is no universally accepted definition of CAM. In the USA, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) suggests that CAM refers to diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices and products that are not generally considered to be part of conventional or orthodox medicine.3 Similarly, in the UK, the complementary and alternative medicine section on the NHS Evidence website describes a set of therapies, practices and approaches to healthcare that lie outside mainstream conventional medicine. In addition, the term integrated medicine has more recently been used to refer to those therapies that are available within an institution or practice.4 In Australia, the National Institute of Complementary Medicine has adapted the NCCAM definition, and favours complementary medicine (CM) as an inclusive term to represent a range of medicines and therapies that are concerned with both the maintenance of wellness and the treatment of illness, but which are not considered to be part of core conventional medicine.
Integrative Allergy and Asthma for Traditional Practice
Published in Pudupakkam K Vedanthan, Harold S Nelson, Shripad N Agashe, PA Mahesh, Rohit Katial, Textbook of Allergy for the Clinician, 2021
William S Silvers, Heidi Bailey
The National Center for Complementary Integrative Health (NCCIH) previously the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the US National Institutes of Health defines (CAM) as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine (Anon. 2017).
Effect of aromatherapy on quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Published in Renal Failure, 2023
Cong Zhang, Hang Mu, Yong-Fang Yang, Yong Zhang, Wen-Jun Gou
End-stage renal disease (ESRD), also known as uremia, is the terminal stage of various chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). ESRD has become a major human health threat worldwide [1]. The findings of Lonazno et al. demonstrated that 100–2500 people per million suffer from ESRD worldwide, which is currently ranked as the 18th leading cause of death globally [2]. Although dialysis technology is advancing, leading to improvements in patient survival, most patients in the process of treatment also experience ESRD, and the treatment of associated symptoms, including fatigue, disordered sleep, arteriovenous fistula puncture pain, anxiety, and pressure, are associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [3–6]. Although medications (such as l-carnitine, growth hormone, nandrolone decanoate, and vitamin C supplementation) are effective in managing such symptoms, prolonged use may lead to drug dependence or long-term exacerbation of symptoms [7,8]. In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to improve patient health has become increasingly popular [9]. Acupressure, reflexology, and massage therapies are the most well-studied manipulative and body-based methods (MBMs) that have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating sleep disturbance, fatigue, and uremic pruritus (UP) symptoms in CKD patients [10].
The outcome of complementary and alternative medicine use among pregnant women in South-East Nigeria: a multi-centre prospective study
Published in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2022
Leonard O. Ajah, Hyginus U. Ezegwui, Monique I. Ajah, Chukwuemeka A. Iyoke, Cyril C. Dim, Theophilus O. Nwankwo, Anthony U. Umeh, Arinze Iketuonye
CAM is defined by the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) as ‘a group of various medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be an aspect of conventional medicine’ (NCCAM 2009). Complementary therapies are healthcare methods used together with conventional interventions while alternative medicines are used in place of conventional or orthodox care (Barnes et al. 2008). The forms of CAM used in this environment comprise biological products, spiritual therapy, physical therapy, alternative medicine and others like urine therapy, python fat and black stone (Okoronkwo et al. 2014). Pregnancy is associated with certain conditions that predispose women to CAM use. The clinical indications for CAM, especially herbal medicine, use by the pregnant women are nausea and vomiting, labour pain, induction of labour, pedal oedema and waist pain (Jackson 2001; Simpson et al. 2001; Law Kim and Soon 2013; Mothupi 2014). More so, the other indications for CAM use in pregnancy comprise poor access to health facilities, cultural beliefs and displeasure with biomedical health systems (Maimbolwa et al. 2003; Seljeskog et al. 2006; Holst et al. 2009).
The Marcus Institute for Brain Health: an integrated practice unit for the care of traumatic brain injury in military veterans
Published in Brain Injury, 2021
Catharine H. Johnston-Brooks, Riley P. Grassmeyer, Christopher M. Filley, James P. Kelly
The term IT refers to healthcare interventions that promote optimal health and wellness using mental, physical, and spiritual approaches. From an IT perspective, it is important to distinguish between healing the person versus curing the disease, and to focus on the whole person using appropriate therapeutic approaches to promote healing. Integrative Therapies can include established complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques such as yoga, acupuncture, guided imagery, mindfulness techniques, and tai chi. However, IT incorporates CAM techniques into a larger framework of treatment focused on bridging between mind, body, and spirit. In addition, each patient session includes a component of the awareness of internal states, mindfulness in the present moment, befriending and reconnecting with oneself, acceptance, compassion, and self-regulation. Integrative Therapy is conducted in both individual and group formats.