CAM Therapeutic Modalities
SOC/201 Survey of Alternative Medicine
November18, 2021
, CAM Therapeutic Modalities
In the pursuit of health and well-being, many Americans along with the world, have used
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) over the past decade. In July 30, 2014,
National Health Statistic Reports demonstrated on a test conducted in 2007 “that about 38.3%
of adults (83 million persons) and 11.8% of children (8.5 million children under the age of
18 years) have used Complementary and alternative medicine” (NHSR, 2014). In this paper, I
will define the terms alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine
and clarify how these terms differ. I will also describe how conventional medicine plays a role
in these three terms. After, I will review the philosophy of CAM and how it relates to or is
different from conventional Western medicine. Followed by describing one CAM treatment
modality within one of the five NCCAM domains and give an example of how such a therapy
could be used as an alternative therapy, a complementary therapy, and an integrative therapy for
a specific medical condition. Then, I will explain how each example meets the definition of
alternative, complementary, or integrative therapy and support the rationale for each section.
Lastly, I will conclude with the results of scientific studies, if available, that show a clinical
benefit from the examples selected.
Compare and contrast conventional current regulations and oversights that exist in the
United States with that of nonconventional medicine.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and
health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of
conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine,
and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. Integrative medicine
combines conventional and CAM treatments for which there is evidence of safety and
SOC/201 Survey of Alternative Medicine
November18, 2021
, CAM Therapeutic Modalities
In the pursuit of health and well-being, many Americans along with the world, have used
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) over the past decade. In July 30, 2014,
National Health Statistic Reports demonstrated on a test conducted in 2007 “that about 38.3%
of adults (83 million persons) and 11.8% of children (8.5 million children under the age of
18 years) have used Complementary and alternative medicine” (NHSR, 2014). In this paper, I
will define the terms alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine
and clarify how these terms differ. I will also describe how conventional medicine plays a role
in these three terms. After, I will review the philosophy of CAM and how it relates to or is
different from conventional Western medicine. Followed by describing one CAM treatment
modality within one of the five NCCAM domains and give an example of how such a therapy
could be used as an alternative therapy, a complementary therapy, and an integrative therapy for
a specific medical condition. Then, I will explain how each example meets the definition of
alternative, complementary, or integrative therapy and support the rationale for each section.
Lastly, I will conclude with the results of scientific studies, if available, that show a clinical
benefit from the examples selected.
Compare and contrast conventional current regulations and oversights that exist in the
United States with that of nonconventional medicine.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and
health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of
conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine,
and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. Integrative medicine
combines conventional and CAM treatments for which there is evidence of safety and
