In doing research for a new book, I asked myself the above
question. So why is CAM or complementary
and alternative techniques (CAT) called alternative? One website stated because CAM or CAT fall
outside of the realm of conventional medicine.
CAM/CAT complements traditional or western medicine. Wait.
If many of the components of CAM/CAT came before western medicine, then
shouldn’t CAM/CAT actually be the traditional medicine and western medicine be
viewed as an alternative?
According to the Mayo Clinic, complementary medicine means that it is used along with conventional medicine. Alternative indicates that it is a therapy used in place of conventional medicine. Often they are used interchangeably. Integrative medicine uses the best of conventional medicine and the best of CAM/CAT. My best researched guess is that conventional medicine is that which has been developed mostly since WWI, including surgeries, radiation and prescription medication and treatments given by physicians and nurses in hospital settings.
According to the Mayo Clinic, complementary medicine means that it is used along with conventional medicine. Alternative indicates that it is a therapy used in place of conventional medicine. Often they are used interchangeably. Integrative medicine uses the best of conventional medicine and the best of CAM/CAT. My best researched guess is that conventional medicine is that which has been developed mostly since WWI, including surgeries, radiation and prescription medication and treatments given by physicians and nurses in hospital settings.
Some health care professionals and researchers state that CAM/CAT
results are difficult to
Articles claim that there is little research on why or how
patients decide to use CAM/CAT or how they access information about CAM/CAT. Let’s examine this statement. To begin with, not all who research CAM/CAT
are “patients” – they are people who are looking for a general alternative to
costly medical procedures or prescription medications that have profound side
effect. Second, it is no mystery how
individuals decide to use CAM/CAT or access information! In general, I would say that those who have
done their homework by reading books, magazines or internet research on CAM/CAT
use CAM/CAT because they are trying to seek a more gentle solution before
catastrophic surgeries, medical procedures or medications. Let’s face it, simply by listening to a
random commercial for medication on television sounds ominous.
Editor's Note: the following italicized paragraph is satire.
Ask your doctor if (insert
name of drug)is right for you! Side effects
can include acne, stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, muscle
pain, dizziness, nausea, weight gain,
weight loss, hair loss, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, memory problems,
hypertension, hypotension, blurred vision, painful erection, erections lasting 4 or more hours, fast heartbeat,
slow heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, drowsiness, sweating, dry mouth or sudden
death.
By now, you are probably wondering what would be on the list
of CAM/CAT. CAM/CAT can include
acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, chiropractic, herbs, homeopathy,
hypnosis, massage therapy, meditation, naturopathy, osteopathic manipulative
therapy, Qi gong, reiki, spiritual healing, Tai Chi, traditional Chinese
medicine and yoga. Generally speaking,
each CAM/CAT seeks to see people as whole beings, not a malady or
malfunctioning area of the body. CAM/CAT examines the mind-body-spirit
connection and offers appropriate support.
Johns Hopkins states that nearly 40% of US adults and 12% of
children use CAM/CAT. The National Institutes of Health created the
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to promote research
in the area of CAM/CAT and efficacy. In a recent survey, Americans reported
spending $33.9 billion (yes, billion with a “b”) out-of-pocket for practices
and products. Clearly, the American
public is looking for alternatives to what they are routinely exposed to by
western medicine.
The demographics of childbearing families are no
different. They, too, are doing their
research on non-pharmacologic pain relief options for labor and birth. More and more expectant women are examining
the side effects of medications offered for labor and birth and systematically
rejecting them for other options. Childbirth
educators and doula must become familiar with CAM/CAT used in maternity care
and be ready to refer to more knowledgeable resources in their community. The fact is that our clients will be seeking CAM/CAT
practitioners and resources and we need to be aware and support our clients in
finding reputable and safe practitioners and resources.
Below are some helpful resources for childbirth educators
and doulas wanting to know more about CAM/CAT:
National Institute of Health https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health
American Holistic Nurses Association http://www.ahna.org/
Pregnancy Birth & Beyond Australia http://www.pregnancy.com.au/pregnancy-information/natural-pregnancy/womens-use-of-complementary-and-alternative-therapies-during-pregnancy.shtml
Perinatal Education Associates, Inc. http://www.birthsource.com/scripts/article.asp?articleid=138
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