Alternative Medicine is Everywhere - By: Allan Michael Taylor

You probably know someone who regularly attends yoga classes, or "meditates" after a stressful day at work. Perhaps a friend of yours has recently raved about "this new treatment" that involves sticking needles into your body, without worrying of pain. Or maybe you've read about this actress who swears by a rejuvenating drink consisting of a variety of herbs. You probably don't know this, but you too know alternative medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine – or CAM, as it is often called in the medical field – may have been drowned by the more conventional type grounded on science, but it is making a comeback . There are several reasons for this. One is the prevalence of unhealthy living that has prompted the re-introduction of methods that are considered "natural" or "organic" – almost all of which fall under CAM. Another is poverty, which resulted to people looking for cheaper, and/or do-it-yourself treatment of ailments. Yet another is the reinstating of the legitimacy of some CAM methods with the aid of scientific research.

The stated reasons have likewise paved the way for two things. The first is the assimilation of alternative medicine into the practice of most doctors across the country – giving birth to a whole new approach termed as "integrative medicine". The second is the introduction of alternative medicine courses in a number of schools, as well as the creation of specialized alternative medicine schools. This second phenomenon is not only confined here - a bit of research will show you that along with the rise of CAM is the rise to prominence of international educational institutions, most notably alternative medicine schools in India, which together with China is famous for its alternative methods of healing. (Such is their popularity that there are even institutions that offer you to take alternative medicine courses in India through distance learning.)

These developments signal only one thing: the re-integration of alternative medicine methods into daily living – a phenomenon that has already begun, in a lot of ways. But what exactly comprises alternative medicine? Simply put, healing practices or treatments that have either history or culture – and not science - as their basis are considered forms of alternative medicine. Popular relaxation therapies such as yoga and meditation are under this type of treatment, as well as homeopathy, acupuncture, and the use of herbal remedies.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the government agency responsible for research, regulation, and dissemination of information related to CAM, classifies methods of this type into five. The first subgroup consists of whole medical systems such as Ayurveda and homeopathy. The second classification focuses on holistic treatments. The third is comprised of practices that make use of natural substances. The fourth type includes techniques that manipulate the body, such as chiropractic. And the last group is termed as "energy medicine", under which are biofield and bioelectromagnetic therapies. The classification may be a mouthful, but upon scrutiny you will find that almost all improvised approaches to minor ailments that you've done are forms of alternative medicine.

You don't have to take up an alternative medicine course, or enroll in an alternative medicine school to have a working knowledge of herbal remedies and the like. As demonstrated, everyone knows a bit of alternative medicine. But as said, limited knowledge of something is not always safe. So before doing self-medication, or before applying CAM techniques you lifted from the Internet, verify that your data is correct, and the source is reliable.

About the Author

Ravee Kiran is undoubtedly an avid copy writer as well as booming business owner. He has got huge knowledge inside the domain of alternative medicine institutes in India. For more info on alternative medicine, please visit http://alternativemedicine.org.in

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