Alternative Medicine

1
Alternative Medicine

• Tim Roberts Ph.D., R.D.
• Barbara Davis Ph.D., R.D.
• Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
• Virginia Polytechnic and State University

Sept. 1998
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What is Alternative Medicine?

• Those therapies or practices outside the realm of
  conventional medical practice as taught in most
  U.S. medical schools and U.S. hospitals.

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Synonyms

• Complimentary
• Integrative
• Unconventional

aka Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
(CAM)
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General Principles

• Recognition of inherent healing ability of body
• Identify and treat cause vs. symptoms
• Use of therapies do no harm
• Primary role of doctor teacher

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General Principles (contd)

• Establish and maintain optimal health and balance
• Treatment of whole person
• Prevent disease through healthy lifestyle and
  control of risk factors
• Therapeutic use of nutrition to promote health
  and combat chronic disease

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Is CAM non-scientific Practice?

• Conventional scientific base
• 20-50 backed by quality research
• Not alternative to many populations
• Germany
• China, other Asian countries
• Office of Alternative Medicine

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Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM)

• Mind/Body Interventions
• Alternative Systems of Medical Practice
• Manual Healing
• Herbal Medicine
• Diet, Nutrition, Lifestyle Changes
• Bioelectromagnetic
• Pharmacological Biological Treatments

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OAM-Funded Research

• 43.7 million in CAM-related research
• 45 diet, nutritional supplements herbalism
• 25 mind/body medicine
• 11 lifestyle and disease prevention
• 4 manipulative medicine and massage
• 4 alternative medical systems
• 1 other areas

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CAM Healthcare Systems

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Aryuveda
• Unani-Tibb
• Kampo
• Native American Medicine
• Tibetan Medicine

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Why Interest in Alternative Medicine?

• Limitations of conventional medicine
• Hopes of help with chronic disease
• Errors in judgement

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Why Patients Use Complimentary Medicine

• Value whole person emphasis
• Orthodox treatment didnt work
• Adverse effects of orthodox medicine
• Active participation in treatment
• Poor doctor communication

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Alternative Medicine Use

• 1990
• 180 million medical visits
• 61 million used alternative therapy
• 22 million saw an alternative medicine
  provider
• 90 were self-referred
• 70 did not inform their MD

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Common Uses

• Primarily for Chronic Illnesses
• Cancer (57)
• HIV
• asthma, allergy
• Arthritis
• Respiratory Conditions
• Chronic pain
• Womens health

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Myths about CAM

• Used by people disillusioned with medicine in
  general
• Anti-science
• Motivated by lower cost
• Only available option
• Used by people with unusual characteristics or
  attitudes from non-users

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Is CAM safe?

• Natural Medicine
• Practices and safety variable

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When considering CAM

• Assess the safety and efficacy of the therapy
• Examine the practitioners expertise
• Consider the service delivery
• Consider the costs
• Consult your healthcare provider!