Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM therapies) includes a wide range of therapies and exercises that are used improve health, but are outside of the realm of Western medical practices. There are complete health systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal remedies and specific therapeutic approaches such as chiropractic, massage, osteopathy, and energy therapies. In most cases, Alternative and complementary medicine is used to complement the technologically sophisticated approaches of Western medicine to aid in healing. Alternative medicine is sometimes defined as the use of these therapies as a replacement for conventional medicine. In a 2007 U.S. national health survey, 38% of adults and about 12% of the children surveyed had used CAM during the past year.http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats/2007/camsurvey_fs1.htm

During the period from 2002-2007, the percentage of people who use CAM has increased. Natural products are the most commonly used CAM therapeutic methods, and the use of yoga, massage, deep breathing exercises, and meditation is on the increase. Most U.S.adults use CAM for musculoskeletal problems such as back, neck and joint pain. Clinical trials are ongoing to assess the effectiveness and safety of various CAM approaches, however, there is good evidence for the benefit of meditation for reducing stress, yoga for reducing lower back pain and dowager's hump, tai chi for boosting immunity against shingles, and several other examples. Clinical trials need to be done for many CAM therapies so that they can be used with confidence as evidence-based medicine. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/complementaryandalternativemedicine.html http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats/2007/72_dpi_CHARTS/chart6.htm http://www.hsl.unc.edu/services/tutorials/ebm/whatis.htm

Disclaimer This page is not a substitute for medical advice. If you need medical attention, please consult your doctor.

Having a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and daily exercise are all essential elements of wellness. There are many well-researched suggestions on how to eat healthily and on the best ways to lose weight. For maintaining health, gentle exercise can help such as walking or swimming. Exercise programs using yoga, tai chi and qigong are focused on improving the breathing capacity, blood circulation, flexibility and overall functioning of the body. When done gently and in a balanced manner, they can maintain wellness and improve an overall sense of well-being. This is the aim of most complementary and alternative medicine practices, to improve the functioning of the body and to also help you with the work of connecting the mind to the body (yoga). These practices created a grounded sense of embodiment and awareness that makes one more conscious of how the body is functioning and it allows one to see where work is needed. Massage therapy, osteopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy can complement this self-work to enhance our awareness of the body, its imbalances, and energetic blockages.

1. Herbal Remedies: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, herbology of the European, Indigenous Peoples, etc.

2. Energy therapies: Acupuncture, Medical Qigong, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, magnetic therapy

3. Physical therapies: Physical therapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Massage therapy

4. Exercise therapies: Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong (moving energy therapies)

5. Meditation: Mindfulness Meditation

6. Biofeedback: Biofeedback and Neurofeedback for improving body and mental functioning