Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) Systems
Complementary and alternative medicine systems are health care approaches that are characterized by a history of use or origins that are external to mainstream medicine or health care practices. These health care systems or approaches have lasted for centuries since different kinds of complementary and alternative medicines have been reported. According to the World Health Organization, different types of complementary and alternative medicines have acted as the basic health practice in developing countries and are increasingly used in countries with predominant conventional medicine (Kramlich, 2014, p.50). CAM therapies have become common in the recent past and are used for treating various conditions including chronic pain conditions. Actually, several CAM therapies and practice interventions such as acupuncture and massage therapy are increasingly used in chronic pain management.
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine, which is also known as naturopathy or alternative medicine, is a term that is used to refer to a unique system of primary health care that focuses on the use of non-conventional or natural therapies and self-healing process to prevent and treat diseases. Generally, this unique health care profession or system combines the various aspects of modern science with the wisdom of nature to help in treatment of diseases. This combination is based on the premise that the wisdom of nature and knowledge of modern medicine is the most appropriate and effective healer. Naturopathic health systems and initiatives emphasize identifying the root causes of disease and integration of scientific, traditional, and empirical health practices to help in treating several conditions.
The history of naturopathic medicine can be traced back to 1892 when the term was first coined to refer to a rapidly developing system of natural or traditional therapies. These therapies were initially developed because of the widespread disillusionment of doctors and patients with ineffective and toxic techniques of the emerging heroic age of medicine. Practitioners from various medical disciplines combined in the 1800s to develop the first naturopathic professional societies. The formation of the first naturopathic professional societies in the 1800s played a major role in the development of this distinct primary health care system since the societies facilitated the development of over 20 naturopathic medical colleges by the beginning of the 20th Century. In addition to the emergence of naturopathic medical colleges, several naturopathic physicians were licensed in various states whereas naturopathic medical conventions attracted a huge number of practitioners i.e. more than 10,000 ("History of Naturopathic Medicine," n.d.).
The other historical event that shaped naturopathic practice occurred in mid-1800s when it first became a unique medical profession in Germany. Naturopathic became a distinct profession in Germany based on philosophies and therapeutic measures derived from Hippocrates and the indigenous and traditional medicines across the globe. Naturopathic medicine was introduced in the United States in 1896 by Dr. Benedict Lust through the establishment of Yungborn Health Institute in New Jersey, which was the first naturopathic college in the country. Since then, this profession has experienced tremendous growth and resulted in the existence of two differing views of medicine. Currently, naturopathic medical practitioners combine contemporary therapeutic procedures and research with ancient and conventional medicines and treatment procedures.
Naturopathic medicine is based on six major protocols or principles that distinguish it from modern therapeutic procedures and research. The first protocol of naturopathic medicine is nature's healing power based on the belief that the body has an intrinsic capability to establish, sustain, and restore health. The second protocol is identification and treating the cause since diseases or illnesses do not develop without a cause, which needs to be identified, treated or removed in order for a patient to recover fully. The third protocol is do no harm, which implies that therapeutic interventions and measures must complement the healing process that usually generates symptoms. Fourth, naturopathic medicine is based on the protocol of treating the whole person given that diseases and health are situations of the entire organism that is characterized by complex spiritual, genetic, mental, physical, social, and environmental interactions. The fifth protocol is the physician as teacher in which the physician is required to use measures that create positive interpersonal relationship with the patient rather than simply providing an accurate diagnosis and suitable prescription. The final protocol is prevention, which is the eventual objective of naturopathic medicine that is realized through education and fostering healthy lifestyle habits.
Chronic Pain and Naturopathic Medicine
According to Pongparadee et. al. (2012), chronic pain is a multifaceted problem that is relatively difficult to define and is also seemingly clinically...
Modality and Public Health Naturopathic medicine is a system for primary healthcare described as a science, an art, philosophy and the practice of diagnosing, treating and preventing illnesses. This is usually practiced by registered or licensed naturopathic physicians (Meadows, 2013). Naturopathic medicine is a tradition which is science-based which promotes the wellness of patients through the identification of unique aspects of every patient and then employs natural therapies that are non-toxic
Credibility and Reliability of Sources of CAM Information: The identification of the most suitable Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapy to help in treatment of the patient's symptoms is a process that is based on extensive research. The increased use of CAM therapy in the American health care system provides clinicians with a new responsibility of becoming informed regarding the suitability, safety, and effectiveness of various healing procedures that are largely
Alternative Medicines in Australia Background and Importance of the Issue Healing wounds, making sick people healthy again, determining the exact condition of people who are ill, and keeping society as healthy as possible -- these are all goals of the healthcare industry in Australia. There are very few things as important to a nation as the good health of its people. There are always incidents and injuries in any society, and there
Aromatherapy as a Cancer Treatment The use of complementary alternative therapies in combination with traditional care for the management of cancer patients and other diseases is becoming better recognized among health care providers the world over. There is debate over the efficacy of alternative treatments in general however, due to a lack of quantitative studies related to health benefits. According to proponents, aromatherapy may provide relief to cancer patients from several
When processed by a transglutaminase enzyme, it can interact with immunological cells and produce cytotoxic inflammation. In autism, it is believed that peptides from gluten and casein cross the intestinal microvillus barrier and enter the blood stream. They also cross the blood-brain barrier. In the brain, certain amino acid sequences of these peptides compete with natural peptides, which bind to opioid receptors. These receptors are G-protein receptors in cell
Physically, massage or TT eases muscle tension and improves circulation. In turn, it improves digestion and breathing, enhances mental clarity, and encourages better sleep. TT is particularly useful to terminally ill patients in reducing or mitigating pain to the extent of making prescription painkillers unnecessary. Emotionally, TT or massage is a gentle and compassionate experience for the dying. It reduces the sense of isolation by providing him or her
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