Avenues to Vibrant Health:Types of complementary and alternative medicine
The National Institute of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) classifies complementary and alternative medicine and therapies according to the following "practices":
Mind-body medicine: Yoga to meditation
Mind-body medicine focuses on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health. It regards as fundamental an approach that respects and enhances each person's capacity for self-knowledge and self-care, and it emphasizes techniques that are grounded in this approach.
Mind-body medicine as an alternative treatment or complement to an existing treatment is possible in many different forms, including relaxation, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback, yoga, tai chi and cognitive behavior therapies. It is not possible to cover all of the various activities, research, conditions and outcomes in this particular forum, but it is important to highlight this powerful category within complementary and alternative medicine.
Does mind-body medicine work?
There are many mind-body strategies that are now well integrated into conventional treatments. Many cancer programs, for example, now include a variety of what is often called integrative therapies, many of which are considered mind-body. Multiple studies have shown that these integrative therapies can improve mood and self-esteem, and alleviate symptoms of treatment like chemotherapy-induced nausea.
In pain and pain management, for arthritis, there are clinical trials which show that mind-body interventions can be effective, with pain reduction and reduced physician visits. Additional results (positive and mixed) have been reported for low-back pain, chronic pain (and management), and headaches.
Meditation, as one mind-body example, has been linked not only to positive emotional states and reduced stress/anxiety, but also to improved immune system function. Mind-body therapies like biofeedback, imagery, hypnosis and relaxation may improve recovery time and reduce the pain experienced after surgery.
Besides the clear fitness benefits of yoga, it is also an effective mind-body therapy. In addition to stress relief and relaxation, yoga has reported physiological and mental benefits for a variety of situations, alone and in combination with other therapies.
Biologically based practices use substances found in nature, such as herbs, special diets, or vitamins (in doses outside those used in conventional medicine). Examples include nutritional supplements like antioxidants, a low-carbohydrate diet and cellular nutrition as with Herbalife.
Manipulative and body-based practices are based on manipulation or movement of one or more body parts. Examples include various types of massage therapy of the soft tissues of the body (various types), chiropractic, Trager bodywork, Rolfing and acupuncture.
Energy medicine involves the use of energy fields, such as magnetic fields or biofields (energy fields that some believe surround and penetrate the human body). Examples include Qi gong, intercessory prayer (prayer on behalf of another), and healing touch (the type that purports to identify imbalances and correct energy by the therapist).
Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples include homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine.
Whatever your particular preferences, there are many avenues to vibrant health, only some of which are mentioned here.
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