Topic 5 DQ 1 Responses
Responding to Almas
Yes, Flavo explains complementary and alternative medicine as a practice that was there before modern medicine and it was regularly used in some cultures to treat diseases and boost healing. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a word used for outcomes and performances excluded from normal treatment. Standard medical remedy touches on Western, allopathic care given by a medical professional with an M.D (Medical doctor) or a D.O (doctor of osteopathy) degree (Mackenzie, 2003). Common medicine is also called biomedicine and acupuncture is an example of CAM therapy. Alternative medicine refers to using other ways for treatment by people except for standard medicine. For example, instead of chemotherapy to treat cancer, patients can take a special diet. To aid in the patient’s mind, body and spirit combining common medicine and CAM treatment which has proven to be safe and effective will help.
Responding to Tammy
As you stated, CAM is patients taking the full approach in taking control and decision making over their own health for preventing diseases and living a healthier lifestyle without putting themselves through common treatments and medical procedures. Modern technology enables patients to find research on CAM that gives them a record of accepted ordinary health care practices. Most cultures use complementary and alternative medicine to focus on balancing the mind, body and spirit. Examples are diet, medicinal herbs, detoxification, breathing exercises, going to the gym and yoga (McFann K, 2002). Communities and younger adults are willing to take charge of their health and try new things. Health awareness is giving adults assets for health prevention. The media has helped to promote CAM. Lawsuits of foods and products which have been shown to cause cancer are televised. Herbal stores have been turned to because they provide natural foods. Due to being man-made, suggested vaccinations scare people which make them turn to alternative and complementary treatment which gives them another approach and mindset for natural type of aid they can control.
Responding to Brittany
I agree with you that complementary or alternative medicine is the use of natural methods of treatments by people. This is to mean that they use things like herbs, vitamins or probiotics to remedy an illness they have or they use said methods to keep up a healthy lifestyle. Others may view alternative medicine as a treatment that does not belong in today’s medical field which is not true. Alternative medicine is a way for people to sustain a healthy body and mind with no consequences whatsoever. Yes CAM is not specific to just any “typical” person, anyone can use CAM to sustain their health (Elizabeth R, 2003). Most people use complementary and alternative treatment methods to keep up their health without even knowing it.
References
Barnes PM, Powell-Griner E, McFann K, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: the United States, 2002. InSeminars in integrative medicine 2004 Jun 1 (Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 54-71). WB Saunders.
Mackenzie, Elizabeth R., et al. “Ethnic minority use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): a national probability survey of CAM utilizers.” Alternative therapies in health and medicine 9.4 (2003): 50-57.