Preview

History of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1913 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
History of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
HISTORY OF COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE AND HOLISTIC MEDICINE
Kelly Gabard
HUM205

Abstract

Today’s medical advancement has found cures for disease that many never thought would happen years ago. However, with all the advanced medical treatments available, many people are depending on Holistic medicine to heal their mind, body and spirits and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to heal their pain and disease. One of the most practiced CAM today is Acupuncture, which is a practice used by the Chinese since the Shang Dynasty 1600 (BCE) to heal qi using ying and yang. While acupuncture was originated by the Chinese hundreds of years ago, this practice has spread worldwide and is still being used today to cure patients of many ailments.
Acupuncture and Complimentary Alternative Medicine
Conventional medicine is the general course of healing done by Medical Doctors (MD) as the norm in today’s society. The advancements over the last hundred years are astonishing with the technology and advanced treatment for many diseases and disorders. However, Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Holistic practices have been around for thousands of years ranging from the Chinese to the Romans. These alternatives have not changed much with technology or research and yet they are still successful in curing many ailments. “Acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine, and is among the oldest healing practices in the world.” (www. nccam.nih.gov)
Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is categorized into two separate fields; CAM and Holistic medicine. While they are categorized separately they both consist of similar forms of treatment and rarely if ever use prescription medications. They consist more of a natural hands on treatment using your mind and body to heal.
Holistic Medicine
Native Americans have been using Holistic medicine throughout history by using herbal remedies to treat the



References: What Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? | NCCAM"Home Page | NCCAM . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2012. <http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam>. Alderman, L. (2010, May 7). Acupuncture Is Popular, but You’ll Need to Pay. NY Times, pp. 23-24. Carteret, M. (n.d.). Traditional Asian Health Beliefs and Healing Practices. www.dimensionsofculture.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013, from http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/10/traditional-asian-health-beliefs-healing-practices/ Lee, M. (20011992). Introduction. Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist (pp. 11-27). Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press. The History of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States and Beyond. Welcome to Medaus Compounding Pharmacy. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from http://www.medaus.com/index.php?view=article&catid=2%3Atest-area-2&id=23%3Athe-history-of-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-in-the-united-states-and-beyond-&option=com_content&Itemid=24

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    The researchers were trying to establish whether electro puncture treatment (EA) coupled with exercises coupled would have an effect on the levels of pain, functional improvement and disability. The researcher wanted to have this information since the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention in treating low back pain hasn’t been convincingly demonstrated (Yeung, Mason, & Leung, 2009). In light of this, the researcher attempted to establish whether acupuncture would be combined along with Western medical management techniques so as to alleviate the pain and disability that is associated with chronic low back pain.…

    • 623 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Bibliography: Adams, James D., Jr., Cecilia Garcia, and Eric J. Lien. "A Comparison of Chinese and American Indian (Chumash) Medicine."Academic Search Complete. EBSCO, 23 Jan. 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.…

    • 1889 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Whilst many complementary therapies are ancient they are a relatively new addition to conventional treatments for illness and disease in the west. As people take more personal responsibility for their health and well-being, the prevalence of complementary therapies has spread and it is increasingly likely that users of health and social care services will want to use them as a complement or alternative to conventional Western medicine to treat or alleviate illness and disease.…

    • 623 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body.…

    • 646 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The scientific mechanisms of acupuncture have puzzled the Western biomedical community for years and Kathy Sykes, a physicist from the University of Bristol, is by no means an exception. In the BBC Documentary The Science of Acupuncture, Sykes attempts to explain acupuncture from a skeptical scientist’s point of view and concludes that acupuncture is effective for treating certain kinds of pain. However, her research provides neither reliable nor concrete evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for the audience. The general audience may find the documentary interesting as it relies on various techniques…

    • 1494 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Alternative Medicine, and Integrative Medicine refer to the assortment of health care treatments with historical applied methods, which root, outside the realm of conventional medicine. Complementary medicines accompany and enhance routine conventional treatments. Alternative medicines are various self-reliant methods that nurse and restore health. Integrative medicine is the combination of conventional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine, which consists of specialized scientific data of effectiveness and wellbeing (Tulane Medical Center, 2012). The following information will expand with additional facts for Complimentary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine (CAM).…

    • 1425 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Over the course of century’s there has been major historic changes and advancements in medicine and the way we are able to cure aliments today. Did you know that Herbal medicine was one of the first treatments? It is one of the earliest scientific practices and is still in use today. Over the years we have evolved with the study of medicine to even going as far as being able to replicate organs and limbs now, From the Stone Age area with Herbal treatments to the Egyptians use of leeches. The Greeks believed in snakes to help cure and treat people. India and china also used Herbal treatments and other learning tools in their advancements. You will see how things have change we have progressed and come to save more and more lives with the use of medicine today. Throughout this paper, you will see some uses over the years.…

    • 834 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Acupuncture is a 'pseudoscience ' and a treatment in alternative medicine in which sterilized needles penetrate the skin. It was developed in China more than 2,000 years ago and according to traditional Chinese medicine, "there are special 'meridian points ' on the body connected to the internal organs and that 'vital energy ' (qi) flows along the meridian lines" (Acupuncture). Stimulating these points with needles is said to help people feel better. Acupuncture is still considered complex because it 's not scientifically proven that it is effective. Also it only came to the US in the early 1970 's so there is not enough research…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Acupuncture is a well-endowed and central technique of Traditional-Chinese Medicine. But why does it work? Through stimulating acupuncture points with needles, acupuncturists can boost body functions and give a sense of well-being. Many people may doubt the legitimacy of acupuncture but consider this. If acupuncture did not work it would have been forgotten ages ago considering that it was used hundreds of years before the common era. But it is still widely practiced today improving people's health and lives.…

    • 452 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Recent statistics about acupuncture use estimate that in England each year, one million treatments are given in the NHS, and two million in the private sector (University of York 2001). Of the many non drug treatments available for pain, acupuncture receives the most positive reports in relation to…

    • 2676 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Homeopathy EPQ 2

    • 6518 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Whole Health Now. (2014). What is Homeopathy. Retrieved January 4th, 2014, from Whole Health Now: http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_info/…

    • 6518 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that heals people by introduction and handling of needles at precise spots. This procedure is used to stimulate those specific points on the body. Its practitioners variously assure that it soothes pain, cures sterility, treats and prevents diseases, improves general health, or can be used for therapeutic purposes. According to the theory of acupuncture, blockages in the flow of chi disrupt the comfort and lead to the disease.…

    • 327 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Is Real Acupuncture

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages

    patients as well as health professionals are turning to the use of acupuncture as a means…

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Alcohol Abuse Rehabilitation

    • 3162 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Karst, M., Passie, T., Friedrich, S., Wiese, B., & Schneider, U. (2002). Acupuncture in the…

    • 3162 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    On the other hand, holistic medicine is not only prevention-based but also does medical treatment by concentrating on proactive ways to treat a person. In a nutshell, holistic medicine treats the condition, not the symptoms. So since holistic medicine treats the body as a whole, it’s cost effective.…

    • 508 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays