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Updated: 8/19/08 |
Categories of CAM TherapiesAlternative Medical Systems
Alternative Medical SystemsAlternative 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.
Energy TherapiesEnergy therapies involve the use of energy fields. There are two types:
Electromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct current fields.
Exercise TherapiesExercise therapies include health-enhancing systems of exercise and movement.
Manipulative and Body-based MethodsManipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body.
Mind-body InterventionsMind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptom.
Nutritional TherapeuticsNutritional therapeutics are an assortment of nutrients and non-nutrients, bioactive food components used as chemo-preventive agents, and specific foods or diets used as cancer prevention or treatment strategies.
Pharmacological and Biologic TreatmentsPharmacological and biologic treatments include the off-label use of prescription drugs, hormones, complex natural products, vaccines, and other biological interventions not yet accepted in mainstream medicine.Examples:
Sub-category: Complex Natural Products Complex natural products are an assortment of plant samples (botanicals), extracts of crude natural substances, and un-fractionated extracts from marine organisms used for healing and treatment of disease.
Spiritual TherapiesSpiritual therapies are therapies that focus on deep, often religious beliefs and feelings, including a person’s sense of peace, purpose, connection to others, and beliefs about the meaning of life.
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