What is alternative/complementary medicine (CAM)?
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine augments conventional treatment, while alternative medicine is used instead of conventional treatment. For the most part, there is little scientific evidence to support the use of CAM therapies. CAM Therapy Domains NCCAM divides CAM therapies into several domains: • Alternative Medical Systems: entire systems of theory and practice that have evolved separately from conventional medicine (i.e. homeopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda) • Mind-Body Interventions: use techniques designed to increase the minds ability to affect the body (i.e. meditation, prayer, mental healing, and art/music/dance therapy) • Biologically Based Therapies: use herbs, food
