by Richard Ealom

Alternative and complementary medicine are of such interest to the medical community that the National Institutes of Health has an entire agency dedicated to technical research into non-mainstream treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) uses technical research to explore complementary and alternative treatments, including natural remedies and other practices mentioned below.

The term alternative medicine refers to health care practices that are used in place of conventional medication. For example, using a special diet to treat malignancy instead of undergoing radiation or chemotherapy is alternative medicine. Complementary medication is not the same as alternative medication. Complementary medicine is used together with mainstream medicine. Using dietary supplements for diabetes in addition to mainstream medical treatment is an example of complementary medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a variety of medical systems. Eastern cultures have used traditional Chinese medication, Ayurveda, and acupuncture for centuries. Homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine are more recent alternative medical systems.

Mind-body medicine uses techniques such as meditation, art, mental curatives, and dance to increase the mind’s ability to affect the functioning and curative ability of the body. Clinical depression at times responds well to such techniques.

Nutritional supplements, herbs, and vitamins are natural remedies utilize in both complementary and alternative therapies. For illustration, research studies indicates that leaves and flowers of the hawthorn tree are safe and helpful for treating mild heart failure. Flaxseed oil is useful in treating arthritis, while ginger eases pregnancy-related queasiness and vomiting. NCCAM continues to study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease.

Chiropractic, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulation involve moving parts of the body to re-establish alignment, relax the body, and support curative. Energy medicine uses invisible energy fields for curative. Reiki, therapeutic touch, and the use of electromagnetic fields are examples of energy medicine. Reiki is a 20th century Japanese curative art in which the practitioner places his or her hands just above the body of the person being treated. In addition to promoting overall health and well being, Reiki can provide relief from the side effects of mainstream medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

NCCAM finances research on complementary and alternative approaches to obesity. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting kids as well as adults. A lot of health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, that had formerly been seen typically in adults have now become normal in kids and adolescents. The complexity of obesity warrants a multi-faceted line of attack to prevention and treatment.

The NCCAM urges those who are using complementary, alternative, and natural treatments to tell their doctors. Doctors need to have knowledge about other remedies because of possible conflicts with traditional therapies. As an illustration, certain natural remedies interact with prescribe medicines and can produce unwanted sides effects.

There is yet another reason to talk about complementary and alternative treatments with physicians. Increasingly, doctors educated in traditional medicine appreciate the curative power of other approaches. Many are well-informed about complementary and alternative therapies and willing to work with patients who are interested in using natural remedies and cures as well as other non-traditional avenues of healing.

About the Author:
Submitted by Richard Ealom creator of this article. To learn more about subjects like Alternative and Natural Health treatments goto our web site at Alternative And Complementary Cures or Alternative And Complementary Remedies NOTE article shown above may be circulated freely on web sites, so long so ALL article content and creator information remain UNCHANGED.

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