Definitions
Acupuncture ("AK-yoo-pungk-cher") is a method of
healing developed in China at least 2,000 years ago. Today,
acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving
stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of
techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate
medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other
countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most
studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with
thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the
hands or by electrical stimulation.
Aromatherapy ("ah-roam-uh-THER-ah-py"): involves
the use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from
flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.
Ayurveda ("ah-yur-VAY-dah") is a CAM alternative
medical system that has been practiced primarily in the
Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years. Ayurveda includes diet
and herbal remedies and emphasizes the use of body, mind,
and spirit in disease prevention and treatment.
Chiropractic ("kie-roh-PRAC-tic") is a CAM
alternative medical system. It focuses on the relationship
between bodily structure (primarily that of the spine) and
function, and how that relationship affects the preservation
and restoration of health. Chiropractors use manipulative
therapy as an integral treatment tool.
Dietary supplements. Congress defined the term
"dietary supplement" in the Dietary Supplement Health and
Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. A dietary supplement is a
product (other than tobacco) taken by mouth that contains a
"dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the diet.
Dietary ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or
other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as
enzymes, organ tissues, and metabolites. Dietary supplements
come in many forms, including extracts, concentrates,
tablets, capsules, gel caps, liquids, and powders. They have
special requirements for labeling. Under DSHEA, dietary
supplements are considered foods, not drugs.
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs, also called electric
and magnetic fields) are invisible lines of force that
surround all electrical devices. The Earth also produces
EMFs; electric fields are produced when there is
thunderstorm activity, and magnetic fields are believed to
be produced by electric currents flowing at the Earth's
core.
Homeopathic ("home-ee-oh-PATH-ic") medicine
is a CAM alternative medical system. In homeopathic
medicine, there is a belief that "like cures like," meaning
that small, highly diluted quantities of medicinal
substances are given to cure symptoms, when the same
substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would
actually cause those symptoms.
Massage ("muh-SAHJ") therapists manipulate muscle
and connective tissue to enhance function of those tissues
and promote relaxation and well-being.
Naturopathic ("nay-chur-o-PATH-ic") medicine,
or naturopathy, is a CAM alternative medical system.
Naturopathic medicine proposes that there is a healing power
in the body that establishes, maintains, and restores
health. Practitioners work with the patient with a goal of
supporting this power, through treatments such as nutrition
and lifestyle counseling, dietary supplements, medicinal
plants, exercise, homeopathy, and treatments from
traditional Chinese medicine.
Osteopathic ("ahs-tee-oh-PATH-ic") medicine
is a form of conventional medicine that, in part, emphasizes
diseases arising in the musculoskeletal system. There is an
underlying belief that all of the body's systems work
together, and disturbances in one system may affect function
elsewhere in the body. Some osteopathic physicians practice
osteopathic manipulation, a full-body system of hands-on
techniques to alleviate pain, restore function, and promote
health and well-being.
Qi gong ("chee-GUNG") is a component of
traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement,
meditation, and regulation of breathing to enhance the flow
of qi (an ancient term given to what is believed to be vital
energy) in the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance
immune function.
Reiki ("RAY-kee") is a Japanese word representing
Universal Life Energy. Reiki is based on the belief that
when spiritual energy is channeled through a Reiki
practitioner, the patient's spirit is healed, which in turn
heals the physical body.
Therapeutic Touch is derived from an ancient
technique called laying-on of hands. It is based on the
premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that
affects the patient's recovery; healing is promoted when the
body's energies are in balance; and, by passing their hands
over the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the current
name for an ancient system of health care from China. TCM is
based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced "chee"), or
vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body.
Qi is proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional,
mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the
opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive
energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi
being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among
the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapy,
restorative physical exercises, meditation,
acupuncture, and remedial massage.
