Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals such as nurses, physical therapists, and dietitians. CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used along with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medicine.

Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapyA therapy in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being. to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine.

NCCAM groups CAM practices into four domains, recognizing there can be some overlap. In addition, NCCAM studies CAM whole medical systems, which cut across all domains. Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a center within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), defines complementary and alternative medicine as "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine." Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine.

Some alternative and complementary therapies have been used and studied as IBS treatments, such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, herbs and supplements and probiotics. Talk to your doctor to get input on alternative therapies.

Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of various medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses.

Complementary therapies include a wide range of healing approaches. They may have a supportive approach that can improve well-being and quality of life for people with chronic conditions or terminal illness. These therapies may include meditation, massage, visualisation, aromatherapy, acupuncture or herbs to name a few. Some health professionals see these therapies as useful. However many of them have not been tested in clinical trials in relation to kidney disease.

Complementary, or alternative, medicine has become a big business in America, partly as a result of Americans’ dissatisfaction with mainstream medicine and its limitations. GRASP does not endorse any specific alternative treatments for autism spectrum diagnoses, but we offer guidelines to their use. We urge people to maintain a healthy skepticism towards all unproven remedies. At the same time, do not assume that all dogmatic assertions made by physicians and scientists are true.

Another popular term for these therapies is "complementary and alternative medicine" (often shortened to CAM). When two things are complementary, they work together, with each one making up for the shortcomings of the other. Complementary therapies, therefore, are used in addition to conventional therapies to try to improve results or quality of life.

More and more health insurance companies are starting to offer coverage for certain alternative treatments, but this can vary by region. You will have to make individual inquiries with the company or with the practitioner of your choice. The Alternative Medicine Foundation does not maintain a general calendar of events on our main web site but we do link to calendars on other sites on our Events page.

We cannot recommend or refer you to any specific practitioners. The most useful way to find a trained practitioner is to contact the relevant professional associations; some of them have a listing of members that you can search by locality or specialty. We provide a listing from MedBioWorld of professional organizations. See also the web sites listed under How to Choose a Practitioner.

Complementary health care is a term used to describe therapies and treatments not practiced by traditional medical doctors, but often used in conjunction with or as a complement to traditional medicine. These therapies include chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage therapy as complements to traditional treatments such as physical therapy or pain medication. They also include dietetic counseling and naturopathy, as well as mind-body techniques such as mental imagery and relaxation skills.