CAM L1

Foundation of Medicine ( CAM ) : Dr Monem Alshok
15\3\2018
What is Complementary Alternative Medicine? More and more people are turning to alternative medicines and therapy these days because of its popularity and numerous health benefits. Many conditions and diseases which are not easily treated with conventional medicine or are too costly have better and cheaper alternatives. Also many people believe that natural is healthy and turn to practices like yoga therapy and acupuncture for treating the diseases than opting to use chemical based drugs.
What is Complementary Alternative Medicine? Complementary and alternative medicine is a category of medicine that includes a variety of treatment methods that fall outside the realm of conventional medicine. Mostly Alternative Medicine and Complimentary medicine are seen grouped together under the umbrella term complementary and alternative medicine (also known as CAM). However, these terms have different meanings. While the term Complementary medicine refers to the practices or products that work in conjunction with traditional medicine, Alternative medicine is used by itself as a substitute or replacement for traditional therapy. In other words, if a treatment method is used along with conventional medicine as a supplement, it is complementary medicine. If a treatment method is used to replace conventional medicine therapy, then it is an alternative medicine therapy. Often people are seen using Complementary and alternative medicine along with Western medical treatment programs in treating diseases for getting better results.
Top 10 Common Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies There are more than 100 varieties of Alternative Therapies. Given below is my list of ten Best Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies.
( 1 )Yoga Therapy: Yoga is a mind and body practice which is more than 5000 years old. Yoga consists of various postures and breathing exercises which helps in improving flexibility and promote relaxation. Practicing yoga can help in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, controlling diabetes, regulating the heart rate and treating innumerable diseases and health conditions. It can be used as a complimentary therapy for treating migraine, arthritis, insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, menstrual disorders etc. Often women are advised to do prenatal yoga for having an easy child birth. Yoga is also known to be very effective in treating alcohol addiction and smoking. However, it is best done under guidance and only after consulting the Doctor.
( 2 )Acupuncture : Acupuncture is a part of mind and body medicine. It is also a component of energy medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, and traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture can be used to cure or prevent several medical conditions. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine and thin needles into the skin at specific points (meridians) along a person s body. These needles are then manipulated by hand or by electrical stimulation to remove the blocked energy flow and re-achieving the person s qi (also known as chi) balance. The pain caused in this method of treatment is not more than that of a mosquito bite. One session could take 20 minutes to one hour. This treatment method originated in China more than 2500 years ago. It is known to be very effective in treating pain. It is often recommended as a complimentary therapy after chemotherapy. It is also known to be helpful in the treatment of addictions, headache, menstrual cramps, back pain, morning sickness and asthma. Acupuncture should be done by a skilled and reputable practitioner as careless application of needles can cause bleeding or injury.
( 3)Ayurveda Medicine: Ayurveda is a part of ancient whole medical systems. The meaning of the word ‘Ayurveda’ is ‘science of life’. It is the traditional Hindu system of medicine practiced in India for more than 5,000 years. Ayurvedic Practitioners use a whole lot of techniques like herbal remedies, diet therapy, massage therapy, breathing exercises and meditation to restore the imbalance in the body’s system (three doshas) which are responsible for illness and maintain a healthy prana or life energy. They use procedures like reading the pulse and observing the tongue as ways of diagnosis. Ayurveda is known to be successful in treating several diseases and conditions like diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders and musculo skeletal pain. Ayurveda is considered as a relatively safe method of treatment in preventing diseases and promoting wellness. However, it is advisable to consult a physician before starting as there could be certain health risks of this therapy interfering with other medications used.
( 4 )Homoeopathy: Homeopathy is a modern whole medical system. This system of medicine is based upon the use of the ‘law of similars’ which dates back to the time of Hippocrates. According to this law, a substance that causes disease symptoms in an average person may, when administered in homeopathic dilutions to a person who is ill, promote the same set of symptoms and initiate a healing response. In other words, the substances that make you ill can also help you to stay well. This method of healing was founded by Samuel Hahnemann of Germany in 1796. It is important to consult a doctor before pursuing homeopathic medicines as the treatment is individualized and based on the medical history of the patient, lifestyle, diet and emotional state. The Homeopathy system of healing is found effective in treating arthritis childhood diseases, infections, fatigue, diarrhea, asthma and allergies. Though this method of treatment is quite harmless, wrong medication and overdose can cause problems.
( 5 )Hypnosis: Hypnotherapy or Hypnosis is a mind and body practice which puts a person in an altered state of consciousness to facilitate behavioral or emotional changes in the person. This is a method of bypassing the conscious mind and accessing the subconscious mind. In other words, hypnotherapy can take a person to a trance like state. The suggestions or encouragement made by the hypnotherapist while a person is in that state can help him/her to make changes in behavior. Hypnosis is known to be very effective in smoking cessation, weight loss, alcoholic addition and treatment of phobias. It is also helpful in treating conditions like insomnia, pain, depression and stress. Hypnosis is considered a safe therapy and the treatment time for one session could take one hour to 90 minutes.
( 6 )Massage Therapy: Therapeutic Massages fall into the category of Manipulative Body based Practices. During a massage, therapists manipulate a person s muscles and other soft tissues by rubbing and kneading muscles and joints in the body to promote health and wellness. Massages can help in improving flexibility, muscle strength and immunity. Massage Therapy is known to be effective in the treatment of obesity, insomnia, depression, stress, digestive disorders and pain. There are many popular massage techniques which are in use. Some of them are Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu and Heller work. A normal massage session may last from 30 minutes to one hour. However, this method of therapy is not advisable for those with infectious skin diseases, nerve injuries and unhealed wounds or rashes. Massage should be avoided immediately after surgery and during the first three months of pregnancy. Also it should be avoided by women during menstruation. It is best to consult your physician before opting for massage therapy.
( 7 ) Meditation: Meditation is a mind body practice used to relieve stress and promote relaxation. This method of treatment helps in balancing a person’s physical, mental and emotional states. It is used in many religions to enhance spiritual growth and promote wellness. This technique is known to be very effective in improving concentration, reducing blood pressure, improving blood circulation and relieve stress. Meditation is also helpful in treating headaches, respiratory problems, anxiety, depression, migraine, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, heart problems and chronic pain. Meditation can be classified into 3 major categories – Transcendental Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation and Breath Meditation. Meditation and Yoga are often combined together for better physical and mental health benefits. It is advisable to do meditation twice a day for 15-20 minutes, preferably in the morning and evening.
( 8 ) Reiki: Reiki is an Energy Healing Therapy used to restore physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance. This technique helps in reducing stress and promotes relaxation. This therapy was discovered in 1922 by Mikao Usui of Japan. This ancient Tibetan healing system uses light hand placements to channel healing energies to the recipient. Reiki is known to be effective in reducing chemotherapy side effects and making child birth easy. It is also used in treating anxiety, sleep disorders, headaches, asthma, diabetes, migraine and eating disorders. Reiki is considered as a safe practice and often used as a complimentary method of treatment.
( 9 )Diet Therapy: Diet plays an important role in the overall health of an individual. Diet-based therapy is a biological based practice which uses a variety of diets to improve health and treat certain health conditions. Diets are known to be very effecting in controlling diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. Some of the popular Diet-based therapies include Atkins diet, Macrobiotic diet, Ornish diet, Pritikin diet, South Beach diet, Vegetarian diet and Zone diet. Diet based therapies are better done only as per the advice of an expert
( 10 )Aromatherapy : Aromatherapy is a healing method which uses aromatic plant extracts and essential oils. This method of treatment is often used along with other treatment methods like massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and chiropractic to promote wellness. Aromatherapy is known to be very effective in reducing stress, relieving anxiety and enhancing relaxation. Aromatherapy is used in treating a wide variety of diseases and disorders including insomnia, obesity, sunburn, allergies, depression, headaches, and inflammation to name a few. Some of the widely used essential oils in aromatherapy are lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary, chamomile, thyme, tarragon and everlasting. However, Aromatherapy is not advisable for those having asthma or skin allergies. There has been a considerable increase in the number of people using these complementary and alternative medicine therapies lately because of their popularity. Many people turn to CAM because of adverse effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Most of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies can be done along with conventional medical treatments. CAM is also mostly a cheaper in cost when compared to allopathic medicines. However, remember that though CAM Therapies work it may take some time to give results.
.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)
TCM is a complete system of healing that dates back to 200 B.C. in written form. Korea, Japan, and Vietnam have all developed their own unique versions of traditional medicine based on practices originating in China. In the TCM view, the body is a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yangThe concept of two opposing yet complementary forces described in traditional Chinese medicine. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive aspects of the person, while yang represents hot, excited, or active aspects. A major theory is that health is achieved through balancing yin and yang and disease is caused by an imbalance leading to a blockage in the flow of qi.. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state" and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qiIn traditional Chinese medicine, the vital energy or life force proposed to regulate a person s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. (or vital energy) and of blood along pathways known as meridians. TCM practitioners typically use herbs, acupunctureA family of procedures that originated in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body by a variety of techniques, including the insertion of thin metal needles though the skin. It is intended to remove blockages in the flow of qi and restore and maintain health., and massagePressing, rubbing, and moving muscles and other soft tissues of the body, primarily by using the hands and fingers. The aim is to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the massaged area. to help unblock qi and blood in patients in an attempt to bring the body back into harmony and wellness.
Treatments in TCM are typically tailored to the subtle patterns of disharmony in each patient and are based on an individualized diagnosis. The diagnostic tools differ from those of conventional medicineMedicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses.. There are three main therapeutic modalities:
( 1 )Acupuncture and moxibustionIn traditional Chinese medicine, the use of heat from burning the herb moxa on or near the skin at an acupuncture point. Intended to stimulate the flow of qi and restore health. (moxibustion is the application of heat from the burning of the herbA plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots. moxa at the acupuncture point)
( 2 )Chinese Materia Medica (the catalogue of natural products used in TCM)
( 3 )Massage and manipulation
Although TCM proposes that natural products catalogued in Chinese Materia Medica or acupuncture can be used alone to treat virtually any illness, quite often they are used together and sometimes in combination with other modalities (e.g., massage, moxibustion, diet changes, or exercise).
Ayurvedic Medicine Ayurveda, which literally means "the science of life," is a natural healing system developed in India. Ayurvedic texts claim that the sages who developed India s original systems of meditation A conscious mental process using certain techniques -- such as focusing attention or maintaining a specific posture -- to suspend the stream of thoughts and relax the body and mind. and yoga developed the foundations of this medical system. It is a comprehensive system of medicine that places equal emphasis on the body, mind, and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. Some of the primary Ayurvedic treatments include diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, exposure to sunlight, and controlled breathing. In India, Ayurvedic treatments have been developed for various diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders).
Naturopathy: is drugless system of healing by the use of a mixtures of modalities that may include ( Herbs , Homeopathy , Accupuncture , Hydropathy , Diet , Excercises ... etc ) Naturopathy is a system of healing, originating from Europe, that views disease as a manifestation of alterations in the processes by which the body naturally heals itself. It emphasizes health restoration as well as disease treatment. The term "naturopathy" literally translates as "nature disease." Today naturopathy, or naturopathic medicineA whole medical system that originated in Europe. Naturopathy aims to support the body s ability to heal itself through the use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies such as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation., is practiced throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
There are six principles that form the basis of naturopathic practice in North America (not all are unique to naturopathy):
1. The healing power of nature
2. Identification and treatment of the cause of disease
3. The concept of "first do no harm"
4. The doctor as teacher
5. Treatment of the whole person
6. Prevention
The core modalities supporting these principles include diet modification and nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, massage and joint manipulationThe application of controlled force to a joint, moving it beyond the normal range of motion in an effort to aid in restoring health. Manipulation may be performed as a part of other therapies or whole medical systems, including chiropractic medicine, massage, and naturopathy., and lifestyle counseling. Treatment protocols combine what the practitioner deems to be the most suitable therapies for the individual patient
Homeopathy Homeopathy is a complete system of medical theory and practice. Its founder, German physician Samuel Christian Hahnemann (1755-1843), hypothesized that one can select therapies on the basis of how closely symptoms produced by a remedy match the symptoms of the patient s disease. He called this the "principle of similars." Hahnemann proceeded to give repeated doses of many common remedies to healthy volunteers and carefully record the symptoms they produced. This procedure is called a "proving" or, in modern homeopathy, a "human pathogenic trial." As a result of this experience, Hahnemann developed his treatments for sick patients by matching the symptoms produced by a drug to symptoms in sick patients. Hahnemann emphasized from the beginning carefully examining all aspects of a person s health status, including emotional and mental states, and tiny idiosyncratic characteristics. Since homeopathy is administered in minute or potentially nonexistent material dosages, there is an a priori skepticism in the scientific community about its efficacy. Nonetheless, the medical literature provides evidence of ongoing research in the field. Studies of homeopathy s effectiveness involve three areas of research:
1. Comparisons of homeopathic remedies and placebos
2. Studies of homeopathy s effectiveness for particular clinical conditions
3. Studies of the biological effects of potencies, especially ultra-high dilutions

Herbs : When a plant or products made from them , can have a powerful impact on our bodies and when plants are used for such effects rather than as food , they are called Herbs .
Examples of Herbs :
Anise , Licorice , garlic, onions , gingers, parsely , sage , rosemary , & Thyme .
Bromalin : a plant derived from stem of pineapple plant ( Ananas Comosus ) may help reduce swelling & inflammation .
Chili pepper : used to decrease pain
Cranberries juice : used to acidefy urine , and make difficulty for bacteria to stick to bladder wall.
Echinacea : Used to Boost the immune system
Garlic & Onion: Used in IHD & lipid disturbances and platelets function improvements also protection against cancer .
Ginger ( Zingiber Officinale ) : Used against nausea & vomiting
Valerian : A root with antianxiety & sedative effects ( جذور ألناردين )
St. John s Wort : used to treat depressive illness
African Plum ( خوخ ) used to treat BPH ( Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy )
Black Seed : used for natural support of immunity & respiratory system
Fenugeek seed ( بذور ألحلبة ) used as sexual stimulator for women and to increase breast size & milk
Pumkin Oil ( زيت ألقرع ) Used for treatment of BPH and as anti worms agent
Rocket Oil ( زيت ألجرجير ) Used as tonic for males
Aloe Vera Oil ( زيت ألصبير ) Used topically for sun burns , Psoriasis and used internaly as laxative
Chamomile ( بابونج ) Used for dyspepsia , tension & improve immunity

What are the adverse effects of Herbs ?
1 . Some plants are poisonous
2 . Cabbage causes goiter
3 . Some plants cause illness & diseases Like Alkaloids of Pyrrolizidine ( Herb Tea )
4 . There might be interactions with different Herbs