CAM Therapy
The world is rapidly changing and evolving as our knowledge increases. The same is true
for treatment of illnesses. Different types of therapy are surfacing to meet the needs for
developing illnesses of the time period. A rising type of treatment is called CAM Therapy or
Complementary Alternative Medicine. Unlike conventional therapies, CAM therapies find ways to
treat the illness or disease without intruding on the natural order of the body but help the body
complete its function. This type of treatment deals with common medical disorders including
illness and injuries in ways that are less intrusive on the body, and unlike conventional medicine,
use surgery as a last resort. The techniques used include deep breathing exercises, acupuncture,
meditation, yoga, chiropractic manipulation, and dietary therapy, massage therapy and natural
products. All of these techniques are based on the belief that the body is a complex network of
energy and the pain that people experience for the duration of an illness is caused by the body
being in an unnatural state and the only way to relieve the pain is to return the body to its
balanced state. The manipulation of the muscles, tissues and energy in the body is used to release
tension and stress that was building up and causing the person pain. People are more likely to use
alternative therapies because it’s considered to be less intrusive on the body and it requires more
patient involvement and less ‘medical’ involvement. As Baker states, the participation of the
patient is as important as the one of the doctor or physician.
One of the more common types of CAM therapy is acupuncture. Derived from an ancient
Chinese technique, long needles are placed systematically in the body to stimulate the energy
pathways located in these areas. Originating in China, an early form of acupuncture dates back to
around 6000 BCE though evidence can be seen of other countries developing a similar form of
Chandler 2
treatment independent of China. One of the most basic principles of acupuncture is the idea of yin
and yang, two different energies that exist in our body and the world. Yin is usually associated
with night and darkness while Yang is associated with light and daytime. Neither can exist without
the other, and when the body experiences an imbalance the person experiences unpleasant
symptoms. A lack of Yin energy will result in increased insomnia, hot flashes, or anxiety, while a
lack of Yang energy will result in chills, cold limbs and cold sweats. Acupuncture seeks to right the
balance of energy by opening up the natural pathways of energy and allowing it to return to a
homeostasis.
Acupuncture is delivered by inserting long, thin needles into specific areas of the body that
contain the pools of energy and influences the energy flow. This painless procedure can result in
relief from ailments and an end to symptoms the patient is feeling. Each area on the body relates
to different health problems or body functions. According to White the acupuncture provider will
look for landmarks on the patient’s body that will tell them where to place the needles. The most
popular ailments that can be relieved through acupuncture are chronic migraines, nausea,
chemotherapy, post-surgery pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and other
various ailments. Ernest states that people are drawn to this treatment because it is minimally
invasive and cost efficient when compared to the other conventional options. The most common
side effects of acupuncture are due to either poor hygiene or the training of the acupuncturist,
both which are easily prevented by inquiring about the training of the doctors and the cleanliness
of their instruments.
Chiropractors mainly treat issues that affect the nervous system by adjusting the alignment
of the spine. Spinal manipulation treatment was first employed around 1895 when the founder,
Chandler 3
Daniel Palmer stated that the cause of any disease could be removed by nothing more than his
hands. The treatment style continued on into the 20th century and slowly became a more popular
form of treatment, especially for those suffering from lower back pain. In 1905 the Palmer School
of Chiropractic opened and taught young doctors the art of chiropractic. In the early years of this
new treatment it was not uncommon for a chiropractic doctor to be jailed, but the public
demands for the treatment until 1974 when chiropractic licenses were validated in all states. The
treatment usually involves adjusting the joints, muscles and bones in the body through pushing,
pulling, and twisting movements. It can also include the use of heat and electrical stimulation
before conducting a spinal adjustment session. When conducting a health examination a
chiropractor may check the posture of the patient as well as inquire about physical exercise and
diet. Research analyzed by White has shown that the use of chiropractic treatment has
successfully alleviated back pain, primarily in the lower back. Chiropractors also know how to treat
musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, scoliosis, tendonitis etc. as well as headaches or
migraines, neck pains, numbness in the limbs etc. Side effects include slight migraines, fatigue, and
minor pain after a session but these last no longer than a day.
Certain types of CAM therapy target a major symptom of diseases and illnesses: stress.
Deep breathing exercises, guided imagery and massage therapy all work towards reducing the
amount of stress built up in the body through calming and repetitive procedures. Deep breathing
is a one of the more common forms of therapy that doesn’t require a therapist to be present for
all sessions. By controlling your breathing you can relax your mind and body. Slowly breathing in
through the nose and out through the mouth while sitting in a comfortable position for a few
minutes every day can improve the stress levels in the body.
Chandler 4
This type of therapy goes hand in hand with guided imagery. This type of treatment
includes the use of the imagination to help encourage relaxation in the body. Imagining you are
located in an ideal location that makes you happy while conducting rhythmic breathing is one of
the more effective types of relaxation therapy.
Massage therapy is used for the same effect. The massager manipulates the muscles in the
body and tissues in order to promote relaxation, ease pain and improve circulation through the
body. Swedish massage is one of the gentler forms while deep tissue massage is more intense. A
therapist usually conducts the session using their hands, forearms, elbows or feet to gently knead
the muscles into relaxation. The motion of the massage is usually directed toward the heart to
improve circulation and relieve the muscle tension. Deep tissue massage is used to treat muscle
tension that has been long lasting and the patient has yet to find release for the uncomfortable
pain. The therapist applies more pressure to the same techniques used in Swedish massage to
reach deeper into the layers of muscle; sometimes they use spots on the body known as trigger
points. These trigger points are used to gauge and release the pressure and tension that is residing
within the body. Swedish massages tend to be less gentle because the therapist applies direct
pressure to the knots or overused muscles until they release. Research performed by Karagozoglu
has shown that massage therapy has helped reduce anxiety in cancer patients who undergo
chemotherapy as well as veterans who suffer from depression. Those who have undergone
massage therapy have shown signs of reduced stress, improved posture and circulation, better
flexibility, and lower blood pressure.
Some therapies are directed towards relieving a patient of his physical symptoms rather
than his mental ones. Movement therapies such as Tai Chi and yoga guide body movement in
Chandler 5
order to improve function and ease pain. The main idea behind movement therapy is that the
energy inside the body is seeking release and by allowing the body to move as it pleases the body
can naturally attain this. Tai Chi is a moving meditation that allows the body to control the
movement of the system based on the energy inside. Introduced to the United States in 1970s, Tai
Chi has been used to treat those with crippling arthritis and Parkinson’s disease to reduce the risk
of falling. In one study according to Zhu, those who were given tai chi reduced their risk of falling
by about 47% in the participants. Based on the direction and flow of energy, the body will unwind
itself and relinquish the tension and pain that is being harbored. Tai chi is usually recommended
for people who suffer from high levels of stress but are limited physically because their bodies
cannot withstand intense massages. Older people who may not exercise very often are drawn to
this as both a therapy and a pastime.
Similarly yoga combines particular postures and movements with breathing and
meditation. The goal is to unite the mind, body and spirit so one can achieve a higher level of
consciousness by cleansing the body and organs through controlled breathing. The controlled
breath into the body is channeled into the system and directed to sources of pain and discomfort.
By doing so the body is releasing tension caused by energy blockage and allowing it to dissipate on
the outbreath. Energy is allowed to flow freely throughout the body and the person feels a sense
of ease and relief as the body relaxes and returns to a more comfortable state. Yoga can increase
the strength in muscle tones and improve circulation throughout the body. Those who have
rheumatoid arthritis are often directed toward yoga because the exercises allow for an increase in
muscle strength support in the joints of the hand. The success of movement therapy to maintain
Chandler 6
overall health, alleviate symptoms, and prevent illness has not been fully acknowledged by all
Westerners but continues to grow.
Diet Therapy and Homeopathy are used to treat illnesses through manipulation of the
body by controlling what it comes in contact with. In diet therapy, the patient uses a healthier diet
to promote and improve body functions. The patient learns how different foods can adjust the
way the body responds giving the patient some control over their illness. Schoenbard has
categorized food based on its innate temperature. Each type of food affects a certain aspect of the
body and functions performed by that section. Grass and greens bring stability to the body
because they bring rhythm and stability while vegetables—if eaten in season—bring vitality. Leafy
greens have an attraction to the upper body whereas root vegetables strengthen the mid and
lower body. Fruits bring temperatures down and purge toxins infecting the body but should be
eaten alone or they can cause indigestion. Meats is the source of blood and is meant to be
consumed in small quantities. Lastly dairies are good sources of fat that also should be consumed
in moderation because over consumption can lead to an increase in mucus.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on a theory that like cures like, in simpler
terms the patient ingests highly diluted version of the substances that (if taken in larger doses)
would produce symptoms of illness being treated. For example, ingesting too much caffeine can
cause sleeplessness and agitation, so according to this principle a diluted form of caffeine can cure
these symptoms. These medicines originate from natural substances, like plants and minerals,
which if taken undiluted can be very toxic. Substances such as red onion, arnica (mountain herb),
crushed whole bees, white arsenic, poison ivy, belladonna (deadly nightshade), and stinging nettle
can be used to create homeopathic remedies. Doctors usually prescribe these remedies in the
Chandler 7
form of sugar pellets that go under the tongue. These pellets can be used to treat minor
symptoms such as pain, migraines, allergies, etc. It should not be used to replace treatment for
major illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or major infections.
CAM therapies are becoming more popular because of the way they address the illnesses
they are treating. Physical CAM therapies such as movement therapy, acupuncture and
chiropractic therapy address the body’s natural state and seek ways to right the imbalance of
energy, which ultimately causes the sickness. Mental CAM therapies such as deep breathing and
guided imagery allow for the release of tension and strain that is located in the body. These
therapies allow for the person to relax and reach a state of peace within their mind but are still in
complete control of their being. Yoga and tai chi allow for the body to right itself to the natural
state that it seeks to return to. CAM therapies that manipulate the body by consumption such as
dietary therapy and homeopathy seek to ease the body of its imbalance with the help of natural
outside resources. Using natural substances, both therapies help the system right its inner balance
of energy by either enforcing it or countering it with natural medicine. The public is finding CAM
therapy more appealing because of the way the treatment is performed. CAM therapy is less
intrusive on the body, in some cases less expensive and more effective. People are receiving the
results they are looking for in the places they might not have thought to look.
Chandler 8
Works Cited
"Acupuncture." WebMD. Ed. Adam Husney, MD. WebMD, 29 June 2011. Web. 04 Dec.
2013.
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/acupuncture-20788
Baker, Beth. "Alternative Medicine." 23.31 (2013): 743-63. CQ Researcher. CQ Press, 6
2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
Sept.
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document
"Benefits of Massage Therapy." Massage Therapy: Everybody Deserves a Massage. N.p., Fall 2001.
Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php?article_id=468
"Chiropractors." WebMD. N.p., 29 June 2011. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chiropractic-topic-overview
Crislip, Mark. "Homeopathy Ramblings." Science Based Medicine. N.p., 28 June 2013.
Web. 07
Dec. 2013. http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/homeopathy- ramblings/
Field, Tiffany, PhD, DC, Miguel Diego, PhD, Jeannette Delgado, B.S, and Lissette Medina, B.S. "Yoga
and Social Support." Introduction. Science Direct. 4th ed. Vol. 17. Miami: Elsevier, 2014.
397-403. Print.
Garfinkel, Marian, EdD. "Yoga as Complementary Therapy." Medscape. N.p., Apr. 2006. Web. 07
Dec. 2013. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/525187
Karagozoglu, S., and E. Kahve. "Massage Therapy." National Center for Biotechnology
Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Sept. 2013. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24055114
Kussisto, Larry, PhD, DC. "Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing." Taking Charge of Your
Health & Wellbeing. N.p., 2 July 2013. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/chiropractic/
Chandler 9
"Massage Therapy." WebMD. N.p., 30 June 2009. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/tc/massage-therapy
Schoenbart, Bill, and Ellen Shefi. "Dietary Therapy." Discovery Fit and Health. N.p., 2013. Web. 07
Dec. 2013. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/chinese/
White, A., and E. Ernst. "A Brief History of Acupuncture." Oxford Journals. N.p., 2004.
Web. 03
Dec. 2013. http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/5/662.long
Zhu, Welmo, Shangyi Guan, and Yubing Yang. "Clinical Implications of Tai Chi Interventions."
Medscape. N.p., 2010. Web. 07 Dec. 2013.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729132_2