Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)?
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2. What is the difference between complementary medicine and alternative medicine?
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3. What is integrative medicine?
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4. What are the various categories of CAM practices?
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5. What are biologically based practices?
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6. What is energy medicine?
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7. What are manipulative and body-based practices?
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8. What is mind-body medicine?
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9. What are some examples of CAM whole medical systems?
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10. What is traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM?
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11. What is Ayurvedic medicine?
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12. What is homeopathic medicine?
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13. What is naturopathic medicine?
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14. What kind of CAM research does the National Institutes of Health (NIH) fund?
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15. What are some examples of NIH-sponsored studies of CAM therapies for heart disease?
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16. What are some examples of NIH-sponsored studies of CAM therapies for cancer?
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17. What are some examples of NIH-sponsored studies of CAM therapies for arthritis?
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18. What are some examples of NIH-sponsored studies of CAM therapies for Alzheimer's disease?
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19. If I'm interested in learning about a CAM therapy, what type of information should I look for?
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20. How can I get scientific information about a CAM therapy?
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21. What should I know if I am considering or using dietary supplements?
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22. What tips should I keep in mind about CAM therapies provided by a practitioner?
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23. Does insurance cover CAM therapies?
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24. Why is it important to tell my health care providers about my use of CAM?
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25. What information about my use of CAM and standard therapies should I discuss with my health care providers?
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26. Are there special circumstances when it is especially important to speak with a health care provider about CAM use?
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27. How can I get information about CAM from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)?
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