What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? (CAM)

The term “Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (CAM), as defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), includes a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional, allopathic medicine.

The list of CAM therapies changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care, and new approaches to health care may become part of the broad conventional healthcare system.

• Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using acupuncture to help lessen a tobacco user’s withdrawal, along with nicotine replacement medications.
  
  
• Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.
  
  

NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into five major categories:

1. Alternative Medical Systems  
   Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Many of these systems have long histories that preceded the development of the conventional medical approach in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine.  Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
   
   
2. Mind-Body Interventions
   Mind-body medicine encompasses a variety of techniques with the intention of enhancing the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and relieve symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, spiritual healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
   
   
3. Biologically Based Therapies
   Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature,  foods, and vitamins. Some examples include herbal or botanical medicines, vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.
   
   
4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
   Manual therapies in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.  
   
   
5. Energy Therapies
   Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:

• Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.
  
  
• Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current field.

In the United States, 36% of adults report using some form of CAM. When megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons are included in the definition of CAM, that number rises to 62%.
 

Sources of NCCAM Information

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
International: 301-519-3153
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
Web site: nccam.nih.gov
Address: NCCAM Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 7923, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-7923
 

For more information on complementary and alternative medicine, please go to:

http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/internet.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alternativemedicine.html
http://www.altmedicine.com/
 

Who Conducts Research on CAM?
For research  information see your local public library or a college/university library OR:

http://www.cod.edu/library/libweb/Kakuk/gdalternative.htm
http://nccam.nih.gov/research/
http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/internet.html
http://www.naturalstandard.com./
http://www.naturopathic.org
http://www.herbs.org/
 

Which CAM Therapies are Used for Tobacco Dependence Treatment?
Three popular CAM treatments for tobacco dependence are:

1. Acupuncture
2. Hypnosis
3. Herbal medicines
   

Adhering to PHS Guidelines (Fiore et al., 2000), TEPP does not endorse the use of any strategies or therapies for which there is inadequate scientific evidence. 
 

At this time, there is not conclusive scientific evidence to support acupuncture, hypnosis, or botanicals as the sole treatment for tobacco cessation. If your clients have questions concerning these or other CAM treatments for tobacco dependence, refer them to their healthcare professionals.

When evaluating alternative treatments for tobacco dependence, the ability to screen tobacco literature is essential. Please see the Research Reliability Check List for guidelines in evaluating alternative treatment information.