Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

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requently patients with cancer ask about alterations in their lifestyle, taking vitamins or supplements, or other treatments or practices that will improve their outcome following a cancer diagnosis. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a term for medical products and/or practices that are not part of standard medical care. However, CAM may be used as an adjunct in cancer care to overcome adverse effects of cancer treatments such as nausea, pain, or fatigue. In addition, CAM may ease the worries about cancer treatments and related stress. Patients often feel they are being an active participant in their cancer care when using CAM treatments.

Other common terms include integrative or complementary medicine. Both are approaches that combine conventional medicine with CAM approaches that have been shown through science and clinical trials to be safe and effective. Alternative medicine, on the other hand, is the practice of using a treatment or approach instead of standard medical treatments. Types of CAM often fit into 5 categories (Figure).1

Figure. 5 categories of complementary and alternative medicine

Some CAM therapies have undergone careful evaluation and been found to be generally safe and effective. These include acupuncture, yoga, and meditation.2 However, others either do not work or are directly harmful, so caution is important. Often CAM therapies might use botanicals or nutritional products that are not FDA approved or used in much higher doses than normal.3 These need to be monitored for safety and interactions with standard medications and anticancer treatments. A recent example from my practice was a patient taking turmeric who had liver function tests that were suddenly 5 times normal without any other explanation. Scans and multiple other labs found no reason for the elevated liver function tests, but when the turmeric was stopped, the liver functions rapidly went back to normal. Although this toxicity is rare, it did lead to additional testing, expense, and worry for this patient.

There is an important effort occurring to try to integrate proven complementary approaches to traditional cancer care. The Society for Integrative Oncology has issued evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for health care providers to consider when incorporating complementary health approaches in the care of patients with cancer. An important guideline includes not using unproven methods in place of conventional treatment for the cancer, as this may delay the scientifically-based treatment and reduce the likelihood of a remission or cure.

The bottom line is, first, do no harm. Working with the patient as a team to fight their cancer is of utmost importance. If the patient can use CAM approaches that are safe and found to be effective in clinical trials as a supportive measure, the outcome will hopefully be a positive one for the patient and the medical team. The National Institutes of Health sponsors ongoing studies to evaluate complementary approaches through the National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Care: Does It Have a Role? - Cancer Network

Holistic health is big businesses, and vitamins, minerals and supplements make up a large portion of that market with annual sales of $36 billion and climbing.

But do they work and are they safe? I spoke to a supplement shop owner and an integrative psychiatrist about the effectiveness and safety of dietary supplments.

Uli Laczkovich owns Ullman's Health and Beauty in Berkley, where wellness is the name of the game.

"If your gut is mediocre, it could affect other functions of your body," Laczkovich said.

Laczkovich spent decades as a pharmacist in Europe where many of the supplements sold over the counter, in store and online in the U.S. can only be found in pharmacies and some by prescription only. Thats because supplements can have a real effect.

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"Ashwagandha is a big seller?" I asked.

"That's why Canada is a super big seller. Because it really works. So, customers feel when they take it," Laczkovich said.

Ashwagandha users say they feel relief from anxiety and stress. There are a growing number of Americans are turning to supplements like Ginkgo Biloba, St. Johns Wort, Kava Kava, Valerian Root, and magnesium for their potential mental health benefits.

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But some of these supplements can interact with medicine making some less effective and others more dangerous.

"Saint John's wort is relatively safe, but it has a tremendous number of interactions with drugs," Dr. Lila Massoumi said.

Massoumi is an integrative medicine psychiatrist who combines traditional medicine with alternative treatments, like supplements. She says before you take a supplement, its important to know how it will affect medicines youre already taking. For instance. St. John's Wort can make other drugs less potent.

"Making your birth control pills less effective, making blood thinners less effective, anti-cancer drugs less effective," Massoumi said.

It can also interact with widely used anti-depressants causing a building up of the neurotransmitter serotonin with potentially negative side effects .

Other supplements pose their own risk: Ginkgo Biloba can increase your risk of bleeding, Kava Kava can prolong the effect of anesthesia and have been linked to liver damage, and Valerian root can increase the effects of seizure drugs and medicines to treat insomnia

But that doesnt mean you have to shy away from supplements.

"Everyone's a candidate for treatment with supplements, but not everyone will be treated sufficiently with supplements alone," Massoumi said.

Massoumi says if your symptoms are mild and youre looking for a little boost, supplements may do the job. But if you need more than that, it may be time to get professional help.

"If your symptoms are moderate to severe, then you're going to want something with the large effect size. And in general, medications have a larger effect size than supplements," Massoumi said.

If youre already taking supplements, let your provider know. It's a matter of safety.

Back at Ullmans, if tablets and pills aren't your thing, Uli says try a tea like this Ashwagandha latte that can help with anxiety.

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"It also helps us food cravings. Whatever stress does to you, it will be a little bit lessened," Laczkovich said.

If youre interested in using supplements to manage your health, there is a ton of information online. It can be overwhelming and its difficult to know what to trust.

Dr. Massoumi suggests starting at examine.com as it was founded by a former FDA reviewer.

She says its scientifically sound and is great to learn what supplements help, for what conditions and to what degree.

She also suggests consumerlab.com for individual product reviews. Is the product what it claims to be? Is it reliable or contaminated?

Both sites are ad-free and independent and a good place to start if you want to incorporate supplements in your health care regime

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What you need to know about the safety of taking supplements - WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit

Can easing stress be as simple as taking a whiff of something that smells pleasant? Thats the working theory behind aromatherapy, an ancient form of treatment that continues to captivate our senses today.

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Quite simply, interest in aromatherapy is booming. Its estimated that the global market for essential oils, like lavender, sweet orange and cedarwood, will grow by many billions of dollars in the coming years.

But does this form of complementary and alternative medicine pass the scientific sniff test and deliver stress-relieving results? Lets find out from functional medicine specialist Melissa Young, MD.

The use of aromatherapy dates back thousands of years. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, considered it key to good health. The treatment also is rooted in Egyptian, Indian and Chinese lore.

Aromatherapy has strong roots, says Dr. Young. It has been used throughout history for health reasons and many studies and research were doing today show just how useful it can be in some situations.

Common techniques for aromatherapy include inhalation of steamed or diffused essential oils, massage or baths.

As a therapy for stress and related issues, its being put into practice in the following ways.

Stress is a heavy weight on your mind and body that can keep you up at night. But the calming effect of aromatherapy may help people set aside worries long enough to catch some sleep.

Want proof? Consider this: Researchers found that aromatherapy using lavender reduced stress and improved sleep quality for patients in an intensive care unit. (Thats an environment that isnt exactly relaxing.)

Patients who received aromatherapy also experienced reductions in blood pressure and heart rate, two vital signs typically driven up by stress.

The effect is seen outside of a hospital setting, too. A review of 30 different studies looking at aromatherapy and sleep quality found that the treatment improves ZZZs by lowering stress, pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue.

Going under the knife isnt quite a soothing thought as you await surgery, which explains why so many people experience high anxiety before they make that long roll into an operating room.

Aromatherapy appears to ease those worries. A review of 27 studies showed that aromatherapy greatly reduced anxiety in patients awaiting procedures ranging from cardiac surgery to low-risk procedures.

Lavender, citrus and rose essential oils were the most used scents in the studies. Delivery modes included inhalation and massage.

Weve seen some very good evidence regarding how aromatherapy can be used to help people reduce anxiety pre-procedure, so much so that were seeing it used in hospitals now, notes Dr. Young.

Various studies have shown how aromatherapy massage may help relieve depression symptoms and improve overall mood. Another study suggests that aromatherapy massage could help lift postpartum baby blues after delivery.

Aromatherapy massage and inhalation also has been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life during menstruation.

Were learning more and more about how aromatherapy can be used therapeutically to address all sorts of different needs, says Dr. Young. Theres more and more data available to us.

If you do have symptoms of depression, its best to see a healthcare provider to get an assessment and treatment plan. At-home aromatherapy is not a substitute for professional mental healthcare.

So, how does a simple sniff of certain essential oils trigger these sorts of results? The explanation centers on how your brain and the rest of your nervous system respond to the aromatic stimuli.

Essential oils release tiny molecules into the air that enter your nose when you inhale. Receptors in your nose pick up the scent and alert your brain through your olfactory nerve, explains Dr. Young.

That sets off activity (including hormone release) within the part of your brain that controls your emotions.

Thats one of the reasons why people may feel calmer and happier after aromatherapy, she adds. These smells influence our brain and nervous system. Its really an incredible process.

Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts made from flowers, seeds, stems, leaves and other plant parts. The oil is pulled out of the plant through means such as distillation, steam or mechanical cold press.

Different oils target different conditions. Lavender is often used for relief of stress and anxiety. Ditto for chamomile, clary sage and geranium.

Other variations connected to stress relief include:

Given their concentrated strength, essential oils should be diluted with carrier oils for safe use on skin in aromatherapy massage or baths. Examples of carrier oil include coconut oil, grapeseed oil and olive oil.

Aromatherapy isnt recommended if you have or experience health issues involving:

Aromatherapy may be triggering if you have certain conditions, warns Dr. Young. Its best to use caution in those instances.

Talk to your healthcare provider before trying aromatherapy if youre pregnant or taking a prescription medication. They may recommend against using certain essential oils or techniques in some situations.

Other cautions with essential oils include:

The purity and quality of essential oils on the market also can be an issue. Despite being used for health issues, essential oils arent regulated as a pharmaceutical used to treat, cure or prevent illness. Instead, most essential oils fall under a cosmetics classification.

Finding quality essential oils begins by researching to find a reputable manufacturer, says Dr. Young. She recommends looking for products labeled as organic or therapeutic grade. Check for the Latin name of the oil source on the label, too.

Its also best to stay away from fragranced products, as those often include synthetic ingredients. And while everyone likes a good deal, be wary of cheap essential oils. (Odds are theyre not pure, says Dr. Young.)

Theres no shortage of aromatherapy products available for anyone who wants to try this ancient-yet-modernized form of holistic treatment for stress. The market makes it incredibly easy to get started.

But before you begin, its important to understand how to do aromatherapy and its limitations. Aromatherapy shouldnt be used as a substitute for other medications.

Aromatherapy is complementary to conventional medicine, emphasizes Dr. Young. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether its right for you and your situation. Theyre your best bet to find an effective and safe path forward.

Originally posted here:

Can Aromatherapy With Essential Oils Provide Stress Relief? - Health Essentials

Understanding Menopause and its Symptoms

Menopause, a natural part of aging, marks the end of menstrual cycles in a womans life. Its a normal and inevitable part of the aging process, but its symptoms can be disruptive and distressing. The most common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can significantly impact a womans quality of life, leading many to seek treatment.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the most common treatment for menopause symptoms. It involves replacing the hormones that the ovaries stop producing after menopause, primarily estrogen and progesterone. HRT can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms, helping to improve the quality of life for many women. However, HRT is not without risks. It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease. Therefore, its crucial to have an informed discussion with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of HRT.

Aside from HRT, there are other prescription medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes that can help manage menopause symptoms. These include:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of psychotherapy that can help manage psychological symptoms associated with menopause, such as anxiety and mood swings. It involves learning to identify and change negative thought patterns that lead to distressing emotions and behaviors.

2. Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy involves using hypnosis to create a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility. It can help reduce hot flashes and other physical symptoms associated with menopause.

3. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): CAM includes practices such as acupuncture, yoga, and herbal supplements. These therapies can help manage menopause symptoms, but their effectiveness varies from person to person.

Simple lifestyle changes can also make a significant difference in managing menopause symptoms. These include:

1. Quitting Smoking: Smoking can increase the severity and duration of hot flashes and contribute to early menopause.

2. Managing Stress: High levels of stress can exacerbate menopause symptoms. Practicing stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation, can help.

3. Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Being overweight can increase the risk of hot flashes. Regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight.

If you are experiencing disruptive symptoms during menopause or perimenopause (the gradual process leading up to menopause), its important to seek medical advice. A healthcare provider can evaluate your medical history and symptoms and may perform blood tests to measure hormone levels. Together, you can discuss your symptoms and treatment options and develop a plan that best meets your needs and preferences.

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Understanding Menopause and its Symptoms | Menopause Treatment Options - Medriva

'I had no side effects, I was never sick a day. I was super healthy through this whole ordeal,' says Pritchard who used alternative therapies after surgery

Royal Tea store owner Roberta Douglas recently defendedthe bookBreast Cancer After the Diagnosis by Jayne Pritchard at the recent Simcoe Reads championships.

While the book wasn't declared the champion, the two women wanted to do something to show their support for the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre(GBCSC) in Penetanguishene.

So,Douglas invited Pritchard to Royal Teain Midland earlier this month for a meet and greet for the public and a chance to sell some books with $5 from each copy going to the GBCSC.

"I thought it would be nice for people to meet Jayne and pick up copies of her book," said Douglas, who donated tea and sweets for a donation to GBCSC.

Breast Cancer After the Diagnosis: One's Woman's Story of Overcoming Setbacksdetails Pritchard's personal journey through breast cancer and alternative therapies, important supplements, nutrition tips and how to find the blessings in life.

A news anchor with CTV Barrie for close to 40 years, many in the area have grown up watching her on television. Pritchard has always exuded a positive mental attitude and remains the picture of health. She was diagnosed with cancer in February of 2018.

She took a leave of absence to get surgeries to remove the cancer, but the certified nutritional counsellor and reiki master would not agree to chemotherapy.

"I refused chemotherapy. I blended traditional Western medicine seven surgeries, I needed those unfortunately because I had setbacks with other treatments that buildup the body instead of tearing it down, poisoning myself, and I felt great all that summer," she said.

Pritchard, who was living in Barrie at the time, took all her alternative treatments in Barrie.

"I didn't even have to leave my home town," she said.

She took chelation therapy, specifically vitamin C and another vitamin cocktail intravenously twice a week forsix months. She took acupuncture twice a week from an acupuncturist who was trained in China. Pritchard said treatments cleared painfrom her right breast and spleen. She also saw her homeopathic doctor frequently.

"I talk about those things in the book because doctors don't know about them and, therefore, they don't tell their patients about them. Patients feel they have no options and yet there are options out there," Pritchard explained.

"I had no side effects, I was never sick a day. I was super healthy through this whole ordeal," she said.

Pritchard self-published the book in November, 2021. All the contacts for her alternative health teams are listed at the back.

The book is also a guide for good living. Pritchard shares her top 10 health and wellness tips and she talks aboutimmune boosting supplements.

Pritchard doesn't use the word remission.

"As far as I'm concerned the cancer was gone after the second surgery."

Pritchard returned to Barrie CTV after beating cancer. Sheretired in 2022 and moved to a new home in Tiny Township with her husband.

Pritchard supports the GBCSC through fundraisers. She wasthe guest auctioneer at a fundraiser at the Midland Culture Centre. She signed and sold books at the Georgian Bay Cycle for Hope in August. Pritchard is also a member of Georgian Bay Gals Give. At the fall giving event, the Gals raised $22,000 for the GBCSC(and another $22,000 for the Salvation Army).

Breast Cancer After the Diagnosis is available at Georgian Bay Books at 247 King St. in Midland and on Amazon.

Read more here:

Breast cancer survivor Jayne Pritchard talks alternative therapies over tea - MidlandToday

The Hamas attacks on October 7 unleashed a tsunami of death and destruction on the Israeli people. But it also unleashed a tsunami of volunteering.

Several studies show that about half of Israeli citizens have been giving of their time since the war began, in addition to thousands of foreign volunteers.

Preparing meals for soldiers and displaced families; filling in for high-tech workers on reserve duty; donating blood and breastmilk; and harvesting produce on severely shorthanded farms, are among the needs volunteers are stepping up to fill.

Other volunteers are folding laundry at evacuee hotels, stocking supermarket shelves in the absence of regular workers; cleaning hospital rooms; babysitting for children of reserve soldiers; and giving haircuts and beauty treatments to evacuees.

Here are additional unexpected ways that volunteers are supporting civilians and soldiers during these difficult days.

Thousands of evacuees had no way to retrieve their cars from their destroyed Gaza border communities, which are now closed military zones.

One resident of Kibbutz Nahal Oz contacted motor vehicle retailer Shlomo Group (Shlomo Sixt) asking for help.

In coordination with the IDF, the company recruited volunteer mechanics and logistics coordinators and made two trips to the dangerous region to extract a total of 65 intact vehicles (many cars were burned or demolished). Each operation involved 13 transport trucks and four SUVs.

Each rescued vehicle was thoroughly cleaned and checked out by a volunteer mechanic before it was returned to its owner.

Some of the Israelis who had to run from their homes in the first days of the war are now able to run toward positivity, thanks to Yael Goodman, founder of RUN JLM running tours.

With contributions from individual and business donors including Chanabana, Goodman procured and distributed running apparel and shoes, and organized runs through Jerusalem for dozens of evacuees sheltering in the capital city.

With all their lives packed into one hotel room, running gives these evacuees a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. Others call it running; we call it therapy, she said.

Donors can contribute to the project through an existing fund set up in memory of Goodmans late brother.

Literary critic Nurith Waisman partnered with the Arad Public Library to set up a free lending library for evacuees housed in Dead Sea hotels.

Located on the top floor of the Zim Dead Sea Mall, the library is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Waisman told The Times of Israel: Its incredible whats going on here. People keep on donating books for children, teenagers and adults with so much love.

Israeli actress, comedian and social-media influencer Maya Wertheimer launched a Singles in Uniform campaign asking her half million Instagram followers to post pictures of unattached soldiers to help them find the love of their lives.

Wertheimer, wed to former Israeli consul-general to New York Asaf Zamir, has shared dozens of photos and short descriptions of soldiers, saying she wants to make sure that no soldier goes lonely.

Wertheimer also visits wounded soldiers in hospitals, encouraging the single ones to let her help them find a partner with whom to build a family. It gives you hope, she said.

Gabi Ohayon, owner of a framing shop in Rishon LeZion, wanted to do something practical to support the families of hostages abducted by Hamas.

Seeing that they were often holding rallies in public spaces, where its not easy to find a restroom, he rented a camper van and parked it wherever the families gathered.

The vehicle, covered with an Israeli flag and a banner of the hostages faces, has a bathroom as well as a couch and a coffee-making station.

When youre not home, how do you do your laundry?

Some of the hotels where evacuees are sheltering have installed washing machines and dryers for their use. There are also volunteers coming from near and far to help wash and fold laundry for these families.

Similarly, residents of communities near army encampments have been picking up soldiers laundry and bringing it back clean and folded. Some went so far as to haul washers and ironing boards to the bases.

Upon learning that a duffel bag full of new size XL army uniforms sent by well-intentioned US donors had arrived at a southern army base, Maaleh Adumim friends Judy Slyper and Lisa Zenilman packed up two sewing machines and an iron, and headed down to alter the uniforms to fit the soldiers.

They gave us a room with electrical outlets and a desk and table, says Slyper. I sewed and Lisa ironed. We finished a bunch of shirts and pants, and then some guys came in with requests. We hemmed pants and shirts, and fixed a backpack, belts and gloves.

About 70 alternative medicine practitioners acupuncturists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and energy healers in northern Israel have so far given free treatments to approximately 2,500 male and female soldiers, mostly reservists between 25 and 40 years old.

The group, dubbed Chayals Angels (chayal is Hebrew for soldier) have the stated mission of keeping the troops spirits high and physical pain low.

Tasha Cohen, an organizational business manager from Pardes Hanna, founded the initiative and coordinates the sessions in army tents or fields. She says the practitioners are warmly appreciated.

Cohen is soliciting contributions toward the cost of gasoline to drive the volunteer therapists to the bases. After the war, she hopes to open a center where soldiers could come after the war for free intensive treatment.

JLIC Tel Aviv, a grassroots community of immigrants led by Rabbi Joe Wolfson and his wife, Corinne Shmuel, under the aegis of the Orthodox Union, has activated 700 volunteers for a wide range of projects since the start of the war.

We have taken ice cream trucks to hotels where evacuees are housed, we have dug graves, and we have done everything in between, says Wolfson. Theres an enormous pendulum swing of emotions from the most fun to the most horrific.

One JLIC project has so far matched nearly 40 evacuees with relevant employment in Tel Aviv to help them establish a sense of purpose, routine and income until they can return home.

Another JLC project, Adopt-A-Family, gives volunteers a to-do list and small budget to cover an evacuated familys basic needs including meals, laundry and even organizing birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and weddings.

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), an Israeli American movement that fashions low-cost inventions for populations in need globally, has helped displaced Israelis with special needs by making dozens of toddler-size wheelchairs and customizable toilet seats for children with severe disabilities.

TOM communities also are developing a portfolio of rehab solutions for people who suffered severe injuries and amputations due to the Hamas attacks and ensuing war.

TOM founder and president Gidi Grinstein said that the instructions to make TOMs creations are documented in English and increasingly in Hebrew and Arabic.

We are committed to our friends and partners in the Arab and Bedouin communities in Israel, as well as on the Palestinian side who are committed to peace even in these very difficult times, he said.

Professional close-up magician Ophir Samson, an Israeli citizen living in California, flew in for two weeks to give free magic lessons and shows to victims of the attacks, families displaced by the attacks, and released child hostages.

The itrek organization helped him organize 17 hour long lessons for displaced communities staying at evacuation hotels in Tel Aviv, Eilat and the Dead Sea.

I taught 200 to 300 kids between five and 11 years old, he tells ISRAEL21c. He gave each child a magic kit to keep.

I wanted to do something because I feel Israel is my home, says Samson, who also works as a private chef specializing in tasting menus of modern Israeli cuisine. At the beginning of the war, he auctioned off dinners, raising $25,000 for Israeli emergency response organizations such as United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom.

But I wanted to do more. Between 2011 and 2014, I ran a school of magic in Israel for disadvantaged Jewish and Arab children. I remembered the joy it brought to the kids and I felt it was something I could do, so I hopped on a plane.

At the start of the war, Beit Shemesh-based chef Etan Ogorek got a few calls from relatives of soldiers asking him for beef jerky a dehydrated strip of spiced meat that provides a portable and shelf-stable high-protein snack as an alternative to the canned tuna provided in IDF battle rations.

The project soon snowballed. One of Ogoreks neighbors, A. Chaim Rutenberg, started covering the cost for local volunteers to make 1,000 pieces of beef jerky per day for soldiers and for ZAKA search-and-rescue volunteers.

Eventually, project leaders raised funds to procure kosher beef, salmon and even portobello mushroom jerky (for vegans) in bulk from suppliers in the United States. Each week, about 140 local volunteers repackage the nourishing snacks individually, affix stickers with blessings and photos, and deliver them to IDF bases.

Rutenberg, a software QA engineer, is leading this effort full time.

We are getting calls around the clock from soldiers saying, You saved our lives, we really needed this. Its not a ceramic helmet, but they need protein, he says.

My goal is for people to see that a regular person can make a difference. And when you join with others, its a multiplier effect.

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12 unusual ways Israelis are volunteering during the war - ISRAEL21c

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is treatment that falls outside of mainstream healthcare.

These treatments range from acupuncture and homeopathy, to aromatherapy, meditation and colonic irrigation.

There's no universally agreed definition of CAM.

Although "complementary and alternative" is often used as a single category, it can be useful to make a distinction between the terms.

The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) uses this distinction:

There can be overlap between these categories.

For example, aromatherapy may sometimes be used as a complementary treatment and in other circumstances is used as an alternative treatment.

A number of complementary and alternative treatments are typically used with the intention of treating or curing a health condition.

Examples include:

To understand whether a treatment is safe and effective, we need to check the evidence.

You can learn more about the evidence for particular CAM practices by reading about individual types of treatment.

See our Health A to Z index for a list of all conditions and treatments on the NHS website.

Some CAM treatments are based on principles and an evidence base that are not recognised by the majority of independent scientists.

Others have been proven to work for a limited number of health conditions.

For example, there's evidence that chiropractic is effective for treating lower back pain.

When a person uses any health treatment, including CAM, and experiences an improvement, this may be due to the placebo effect.

The availability of CAM on the NHS is limited, and in most cases the NHS will not offer such treatments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance to the NHS on effective treatments that are value for money.

NICE has recommended the use of CAM in a limited number of circumstances.

For example:

If you think you may have a health condition, first see your GP. Do not visit a CAM practitioner instead of seeing your GP.

It's particularly important to talk to your GP before trying CAM if you have a pre-existing health condition or are pregnant.

Some CAM treatments may interact with medicines that you're taking or should not be tried if you're pregnant.

The practice of conventional medicine is regulated by laws that ensure that practitioners are properly qualified and adhere to certain standards or codes of practice. This is called statutory professional regulation.

Chiropractors are regulated in the same way. However, there's no statutory professional regulation of any other CAM practitioners.

Chiropractic is regulated in the same way as conventional medicine.

All chiropractors must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council. You can use the General Chiropractic Council website to find a registered chiropractor near you or check if someone offering chiropractic services is registered.

Apart from chiropractic, there's no professional statutory regulation of complementary and alternative treatments in the UK.

This means:

If you decide to use a CAM practitioner, it's up to you to find one who will carry out the treatment in a way that's acceptable to you. Professional bodies and voluntary registers can help you do this.

Some regulated healthcare professionals, such as GPs, also practise unregulated CAM.

In these instances, the CAM practice is not regulated by the organisation that regulates the healthcare professional (such as the General Medical Council), but these organisations will investigate complaints that relate to the professional conduct of their member.

Many types of CAM have voluntary registers, some of which are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) or professional associations that practitioners can join if they choose.

Usually, these associations or registers demand that practitioners hold certain qualifications and agree to practise to a certain standard.

Organisations with PSA-accredited voluntary registers include:

This means that these organisations have met the PSA's demanding standards, which are designed to help people make an informed choice when they're looking for a practitioner.

Read about accredited registers on the Professional Standards Authority website

Once you have found a practitioner, it's a good idea to ask them some questions to help you decide if you want to go ahead with treatment.

You could ask:

Page last reviewed: 01 March 2022Next review due: 01 March 2025

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Complementary and alternative medicine - NHS

Alternative treatment (CAM) for MS facts

Multiple sclerosis symptoms vary widely, and a description of "typical" symptoms is difficult. Some signs and symptoms of MS may include:

What is complementary or alternative treatment or CAM?

CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) is care provided in addition (integrative medicine) to or instead of traditional or standard medical practices. This group of therapies is wide-ranging and includes:

Some people who seek out alternative medicine feel that conventional therapy has not successfully controlled their symptoms, or that the potential side effects associated with traditional therapy aren't acceptable. Others find that adding complementary medicine to their program allows improved control of symptoms. When complementary medicine is added to traditional routes, it is referred to as integrative medicine.

Recent studies through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically the National Health Interview Survey, suggest that as many as 38% of residents within the United States seek out CAM.

Many therapies that are considered within the group of complementary and alternative medicines haven't been studied extensively or investigated in comparison to conventional treatment options.

What is of multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes demyelination of the brain and spinal cord or a loss of the covering around axons. When this occurs, the axons (the parts of the nerve cells that transmit impulses to other cells) don't work well. As more areas of the central nervous system are affected by the loss of myelin, different symptoms develop.

What are the symptoms of MS?

The specific symptom seen in MS is related to the area of injury in the brain or spinal cord. Examples of symptoms of MS include:

What alternative treatments can be used for MS symptoms?

Fatigue and spasticity seem to respond best to CAM.

Therapies that have been shown to be of some benefit for fatigue have included:

Spasticity has reportedly been reduced with the use of acupuncture and massage therapy. A sense of tingling (paresthesias) has been reportedly improved with reflexology.

Symptoms including depression, memory loss, urinary incontinence, and progression of MS itself (including relapses, disease extent as measured on MRI), and disability have had limited improvement when treated with CAM.

Therapies tested in an effort to improve these symptoms have included:

None of these treatments led to any significant benefit in the studied symptoms.

What about medical marijuana (cannabis) for MS symptoms?

There have been a number of studies looking at the potential benefits of medical marijuana (cannabis) on MS symptoms, including spasticity and chronic pain. There is some suggestion that FDA-approved forms of medical cannabis (Marinol or Sativex) may be beneficial in improving spasticity or bladder frequency. However, there are no reports that ingested or inhaled medical marijuana is beneficial for conditions associated with MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has more information about medical marijuana for MS symptoms (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Complementary-Alternative-Medicines/Marijuana)

Who is eligible to pursue treatment with CAM?

Anyone can participate in CAM therapy. However, it is important to recognize that most of these therapies are not covered by insurance, and may be an "out of pocket" cost for patients with MS.

Patients who decide to pursue CAM need to share this information with their physicians, as some supplements may interact with conventional medication and lead to side effects.

How much does CAM cost?

The costs of CAM can vary widely; regular exercise and yoga can be low or no-cost options, while massage therapy, acupuncture, and some supplements can be quite expensive.

Every patient must have a good relationship with treating healthcare professionals of traditional and non-traditional therapies to best understand potential costs.

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What are the potential risks and side effects of CAM?

Side effects of CAM vary depending on the treatment.

It is important to discuss any potential or ongoing use of CAM with your healthcare professional, who may need to adjust your current therapies to prevent any adverse effects caused by interactions between the two types of therapies.

What different types of CAM were studied in the National Health Interview Survey?

Different types of complementary and alternative medicines that were studied in the National Health Interview Survey from 2002 through 2012 include:

Medically Reviewed on 10/26/2022

References

REFERENCES:

Clarke TC, Black LI, Stussman BJ, Barnes PM, Nahin, RL. Trends in the Use of Complementary Health Approaches Among Adults: United States, 2002-2012. National Health Statistics Reports. Number 79; February 10, 2015.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS Symptoms.

UpToDate. Patient information: Multiple sclerosis in adults (The Basics).

Yadav V, Bourdette D. Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Is There a Role in Multiple Sclerosis? Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 2006, 6:259267.

Yadav V, Bever C, Bowen J, et al. Summary of evidence-basaed guideline: Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis. Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 2014;82;1083-1092.

Excerpt from:

Alternative Treatment (CAM) for MS: Types, Side Effects & Cost

complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), any of various approaches intended to improve or maintain human health that are not part of standard medical care, also known as conventional, or Western, medicine. The various approaches of CAM typically are used in a manner that is complementary to standard medical practices or are used in place of standard medicine. Such approaches are sometimes referred to as holistic or traditional medicine, although those areas of medicine do not cover all forms of CAM. Indeed, CAM includes not only classical systems, such as Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, which are centred on bringing together the mind, body, and spirit, but also a wide range of other forms of therapy, including chiropractic medicine, biofeedback, art therapy, hypnosis, prayer, specialty diets, and therapeutic touch. Many of those practices are considered to be marginal when compared with conventional practicesthat is, they usually are not a central part of the medical curriculum, nor are they typically prescribed by physicians who practice conventional medicine. However, partly because of the growing evidence base that supports the safety and efficacy of certain CAM approaches, some practitioners of conventional medicine have also become practitioners of CAM.

Prior to the rise of scientific medicine in the 19th century, medical practice was a relatively undifferentiated field. Herbal remedies were prescribed regularly, and the range of practitioners on offer included not only the precursors of contemporary doctors but also groups such as bonesetters and healers. In some cultures those suffering from illness and disease were able to make use of what was a relatively strong cradle of neighbourliness and community support, where the human condition was viewed holistically. In other cultures, however, the sick and disabled were shunned, alienated, or neglected, largely because of a lack of knowledge of disease. With the rise of scientifically based medicine and the development of the modern medical profession, however, the understanding of human disease increased dramatically. Health care became increasingly centred on biomedicine, and a division of labour proliferated. Some doctors, for example, specialized in surgery, whereas others focused on areas such as infectious disease, human development, or mental health. In addition, beginning in the 19th century, scientists discovered ways to isolate and synthesize the active ingredients of plant-based medicines, which gave rise to the modern pharmaceutical industry. By the mid-20th century the advances in medicine had marginalized CAM in Western countries.

In the 1960s and 70s, however, a sort of medical counterculture arose in the West, born from the more general countercultural trend that involved, among other things, a rising interest in Eastern practices of meditation, mysticism, and other philosophies. There was a growing awareness of the limits of conventional medicine, and some believed that modern biomedicine was becoming increasingly counterproductive. Such perspectives were fueled in part by highly publicized medical tragedies, such as those involving thalidomide, which was withdrawn from the market in the early 1960s, and diethylstilbestrol, which was withdrawn in the 1970s; both agents were found to increase the risk of prenatal toxicity. Some people also associated conventional medicine with depersonalization and disempowerment of the patient. Consumers demanded increasing control over their own health, which led to the development of self-help and to the emergence of campaign groups that lobbied on behalf of health consumers and specific groups, such as the disabled and those afflicted by cancer and HIV/AIDS. In the wake of the counterculture, public interest in CAM gained new impetus.

The number of people in Europe and North America who use CAM is considerable. In the United States, for example, a 2007 survey revealed that about 38 percent of adults had used some form of CAM in the past year. A study published in 2010 indicated that about 26 percent of people in England had used CAM at some point in the year prior to filling out the studys survey.

The therapies employed and the extent of their use vary considerably by country. Although the majority of use involves self-help (e.g., use of over-the-counter herbs), a rise in the number of CAM practitioners enabled increasing numbers of people to seek the assistance of CAM providers. Growing numbers of conventional practitioners also employed CAM. In such cases, CAM therapies tend to be prescribed or administered for very specific and evidence-supported purposes, such as the use of acupuncture to relieve pain. As a result, in some cases, the use of CAM by conventional practitioners is not wholly in agreement with traditional principles. Acupuncture, for example, is viewed in traditional Chinese medicine as a panacea, being used to restore balance between the polar forces of yin and yang along meridians.

Reluctance among doctors to employ CAM often is related to the protection of their patients. Despite the ideology of a safe, natural approach to health care frequently espoused by CAM therapists, the approaches used in CAM pose certain hazards to users, ranging from punctured lungs in the case of acupuncture to potentially fatal overdosing from herbal remedies. There are also major gaps in the evidence that has been provided for such therapies. By the late 20th century many complementary and alternative therapies still had not been explored in clinical trials in human patients, unlike most drugs and devices employed in conventional medicine. That was largely because manufactured pharmaceuticals and other medical products were thought to be superior to complementary and alternative therapies, and so the latter did not attract significant investment from governments and biomedical companies. In the early 21st century, however, an increased need for medicines generally resulted in renewed interest in natural-products drug discovery and in unorthodox medical practices, which in turn led to a rise in the clinical exploration of various CAM therapies.

Much debate remains about how to assess the efficacy of CAM. The need for large-scale randomized controlled trials is highly controversial, particularly because many complementary and alternative therapies have been used by humans for centuries and because certain conventional medicines that have been scrutinized by such means have later been discovered to cause severe side effects, resulting in their removal from the market. There are also significant methodological questions about whether the randomized controlled trial is the best way to evaluate complementary and alternative therapies, especially when they are employed holistically. Many treatments associated with CAM are targeted toward individuals, rather than toward conditions (e.g., diabetes or heart failure) as in conventional medicine, suggesting that alternative methods of assessment may be more appropriate. For example, randomized controlled trial methodology attempts to eliminate the placebo effect, but some researchers have claimed that the placebo effect should be more fully employed in studies of complementary and alternative therapies. Other methods, such as case studies and consumer-satisfaction surveys, are attractive evaluative tools for CAM.

Many small-scale controlled trials of CAM have been conducted, with comparisons to placebos and to conventional approaches. Some of those trials have produced encouraging resultsfor example, the use of acupuncture in the relief of chronic pain. However, from the standpoint of conventional research methodologies, the numbers of participants usually has been too restricted to make firm judgments about the likely efficacy of particular complementary and alternative therapies. In such cases, systematic reviews of trial data can be helpful, provided that clear criteria to assess the quality of the studies are employed and that there is a sufficient number of credible trials on which to build the meta-analysis. In the field of herbal medicine, such systematic reviews have suggested that extracts of St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum) can provide symptomatic relief in cases of mild to moderate depression and that peppermint oil is more effective than a placebo for the treatment of irritable bowel disease.

Beyond evidence from randomized controlled trials, the data set on CAM is enriched by a plethora of individual case studies, many of which indicate the positive qualitative outcomes that can be obtained from such therapies. The use of CAM also tends to produce high levels of consumer satisfaction. The subjective views elicited in such research, however, must be weighed against a variety of methodological pitfalls in interpreting such results. Nonetheless, data from case studies and consumer surveys have indicated that unorthodox therapies could help to fill the vacuum created in areas where conventional medicine has little to offer. Case studies and surveys have also emphasized the fact that the many diverse approaches of CAM vary in their effectiveness and use. In the United Kingdom, for example, research has suggested that therapies such as herbalism, homeopathy, and osteopathy tend to be relatively more effective for users than approaches based on crystal therapy, iridology, and radionics. Such variations in evidence for specific forms of CAM have necessitated careful and critical scrutiny of claims about curative or palliative powers.

Even where it is felt that CAM can benefit patients, major challenges remain. For example, complementary and alternative therapies may not be accessible to consumers within state-financed health provision and insurance programs. Furthermore, complementary and alternative therapies are not inexpensive versions of conventional medicines or practices. Some CAM approaches can, in fact, be quite costly, particularly when repeat visits are made to a practitioner. Thus, patients cannot turn to CAM to save on health care costs.

Another issue concerns the extent to which CAM is regulated in terms of protecting the interests of health consumers. The remedies themselves, as well as CAM practitioners, have been increasingly subject to regulation, but the parameters of regulation are not always well balanced. For instance, despite growing trends toward professionalization, the practice of CAM in some countries may be exclusively concentrated among certain doctors, medical groups, or allied health professionals. In other countries, CAM is loosely assigned to anyone who wishes to be engaged in the field, with CAM systems largely based on voluntary regulatory arrangements to which not all practitioners are legally bound.

Finally, CAM does not simply challenge biomedicine in terms of best practice. In its most radical forms, it also challenges some of the assumptions underpinning medical orthodoxy and questions the medical concept of disability. Many of those currently involved in practicing CAM, for example, no longer see consumers in medicalized terms as patients. Rather, individuals are seen as actively participating in their own well-being. Given its links to the counterculture, the self-help aspect of CAM therefore may not be viewed simply as an appendage to medicine. Some see it instead as challenging the power of the medical profession. Scientifically based medicine remains dominant, but the approaches that are categorized as CAM are expected to become more fully integrated into conventional medicine, which ultimately could give rise to a new medical orthodoxy.

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Complementary and alternative medicine | History & Facts

The term alternative medicine encompasses a wide range of medical practices and systems from cultures around the world. In countries such as the United States, people use it to describe practices that are outside mainstream medicine.

The term alternative medicine is subjective. While doctors in one part of the world might regard a practice as mainstream, doctors elsewhere might view the same practice as alternative.

This article discusses what alternative medicine is, different types of alternative medicine, and whether it is better than conventional medicine.

The term alternative medicine describes any form of medicine or healing that does not fall into conventional medical practice.

In the U.S. it refers to forms of medicine that are not widely accepted or practiced by medical doctors, particularly those that do not have as much scientific evidence to support them as more mainstream methods.

Some types of alternative medicine have been around for hundreds and even thousands of years. Others are quite new. Sometimes, something that begins as an alternative treatment can become part of mainstream medicine due to strong evidence that it works and has no safety risks.

Many people use terms such as alternative medicine, integrative medicine, and complementary medicine interchangeably. However, each term describes something different:

Some people group complementary and alternative medicine together under the acronym CAM. There are many types of CAM. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) group them into five broad categories.

Mind-body therapies focus on the relationship between the mind and body to help treat or manage a condition. Some examples include:

Meditation is an ancient practice that is prominent in religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Today, there are many forms of meditation people can try; some are religious in nature, and some not.

Many studies have verified that meditation has health benefits. It can lower blood pressure and stress levels. Research suggests it may also reduce the symptoms of:

Learn more about the types of meditation.

Biofeedback involves the use of machines that measure unconscious or involuntary bodily processes, such as heart rate or muscle contractions. The device then converts the information into audio, visual, or tactile signals. A therapist then helps someone learn to control these signals.

Biofeedback can help people learn to relax painful muscles, alter their mental state, and more. Its most common uses include management of neuromuscular disorders, chronic pain, anxiety, and incontinence.

Hypnosis involves someone going into a deep state of relaxation and focusing on suggestions a clinician makes while the person is in a hypnotic state. The aim is for the suggestions to help change a persons mental state, resulting in health benefits.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), most clinicians agree hypnosis has benefits for:

Similar to meditation, yoga is a mind-body exercise that originates in spiritual practices. It involves moving through sequences of poses and stretches while also focusing on breathing. Many people around the world practice yoga to promote mental and physical well-being.

Some research suggests yoga may help:

Most studies on yogas benefits have been with small numbers of people, so more research is still needed.

Tai chi is a martial art that originated in China. It involves a series of postures or slow movements combined with controlled breathing. Some research suggests tai chi may help:

Biologically based therapies use substances such as plants and foods to improve health or treat conditions. Some examples include:

Some CAM and integrative practitioners use nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, or other beneficial compounds, to treat or manage conditions.

This includes the use of plants or plant compounds for medical benefits. There are many examples of plants that people use to treat symptoms or conditions. Popular examples include:

Dietary approaches to medicine involve using food itself to treat certain conditions. This may mean eating foods with specific medicinal properties, following diets that contain certain nutrients, or avoiding some foods altogether.

These therapies aim to help people by manipulating invisible energy fields. According to some medical systems and practices, the energy around the body can influence health. By addressing disturbances or blockages in energy, practitioners believe it is possible to treat certain conditions.

Some examples of biofield therapies include:

This involves a practitioner running their hands over or gently touching someones body to control or restore their flow of energy.

Reiki originally comes from Japan. During reiki treatments, practitioners try to control energy in the body by using their hands. This may involve placing them on someone, just above them, or even working at a distance from a person. The aim is to free blocked energy and improve the bodys natural healing abilities.

Body-based therapies involve a therapist physically moving one or more parts of a persons body for therapeutic benefits. Common examples include:

During massage, a practitioner uses their fingers, hands, or tools to knead, rub, or press the bodys soft tissue. It is an ancient therapy, and people have practiced it in most cultures throughout history. There are many types of massage, each of which involves different techniques, rhythms, and areas of the body.

Reflexology involves pressing or manipulating pressure points in the hands or feet. The idea behind it is that a practitioner can target and help other parts of the body. It can also promote relaxation.

This therapy manipulates someones muscles, tissues, or bones to help the body heal from musculoskeletal conditions or help someone cope with a condition that may be causing pain.

Whole medicine systems refer to sets of beliefs and practices that work together. These systems have typically evolved over hundreds of years. Some of the most well-known methods include:

TCM is a complex system based on a belief in two opposite forces: yin and yang. For the body and mind to be in good health, practitioners believe that yin and yang must be in balance. TCM practitioners use a combination of herbal, mind-body, and physical therapies to achieve this.

TCM is over 2,000 years old and is where practices such as acupuncture and tai chi have their origins.

Ayurveda is a holistic health system that developed in India thousands of years ago. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that everyone is made up of five elements: air, fire, water, earth, and ether (or space). The way these elements combine dictates how the body works.

Homeopathy comes from Germany and is around 200 years old. It focuses on two theories: that like cures like and that the lower the dose is of something, the more effective it is.

There is little evidence that homeopathy works for any condition. Additionally, some substances homeopathy uses are toxic, such as white arsenic and deadly nightshade.

Naturopathy is a system that includes a mixture of traditional and alternative approaches to medicine. It focuses on using natural and noninvasive ingredients and techniques, such as herbs, exercise therapy, dietary changes, and massage, among many others.

In some U.S. states, naturopathic doctors can also prescribe pharmaceutical medications, but this varies based on location.

Many people debate whether conventional medicine is better than alternative medicine. When comparing them, it is important to consider the following:

One of the main benefits of standard medical care is that it undergoes rigorous research. Through clinical trials and studies, scientists can determine whether certain techniques, medicines, and courses of treatment are effective and safe.

Many scientists use these methods to study alternative medicine, too. However, the data is not always as abundant or reliable. Some types of alternative medicine, such as homeopathy, have very little scientific evidence to support them.

There are exceptions to this. Some types of alternative therapy have been well-researched by scientists, so doctors can safely recommend them to patients. Examples of this include yoga and meditation, as well as acupuncture. The American College of Physicians recommends acupuncture as a first-line treatment for lower back pain.

Some people believe that alternative medicine is better than conventional medicine because it often focuses on natural substances, which some believe to be safer, gentler, or more suitable for the human body than manufactured medicines.

However, as with conventional medicines, natural medicines can also cause side effects, drug interactions, and poisoning at the wrong dosages. Some natural products can also contain harmful substances not listed on the label. For example, some Ayurvedic products contain naturally occurring toxins, such as mercury or lead.

Even when natural products are safe, it can be more difficult for companies to ensure they have consistent levels of potency and purity. Third-party testing can reduce this problem, but not all companies use it.

For some, conventional medicine is more difficult to access than the alternative treatments available within their communities. In comparison to the U.S. healthcare system, alternative medicine may be:

These are important factors and can make alternative medicine more appealing. People who have had negative experiences of healthcare may also prefer to seek alternative options.

Alternative medicine refers to medical practices that are not mainstream. In the U.S., people use this term to refer to a wide range of therapies and medical systems, from Ayurveda to reflexology.

Whatever form of treatment a person chooses, it is always important to consider the evidence that supports it, potential risks and side effects, and whether the practitioner is fully qualified. Where possible, always speak with a medical doctor before trying alternative treatments, as they can have risks.

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Alternative medicine: Definition, examples, benefits, and risks