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Alternative and complementary medicine are of such interest to the medical community that the National Institutes of Health has an entire agency dedicated to technical research into non-mainstream treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) uses technical research to explore complementary and alternative treatments, including natural remedies and other practices mentioned below.

The term alternative medicine refers to health care practices that are used in place of conventional medication. For example, using a special diet to treat malignancy instead of undergoing radiation or chemotherapy is alternative medicine. Complementary medication is not the same as alternative medication. Complementary medicine is used together with mainstream medicine. Using dietary supplements for diabetes in addition to mainstream medical treatment is an example of complementary medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a range of medical systems. Eastern cultures have used long-established Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and acupuncture for centuries. Homeopathic medication and naturopathic medication are very recent alternative medical practices.

Mind-body medicine uses techniques such as meditation, art, mental curatives, and dance to increase the mind’s ability to affect the functioning and curative ability of the body. Clinical depression at times responds well to such techniques.

Nutritional supplements, herbs, and vitamins are natural remedies utilize in both complementary and alternative therapies. For illustration, research studies indicates that leaves and flowers of the hawthorn tree are safe and helpful for treating mild heart failure. Flaxseed oil is useful in treating arthritis, while ginger eases pregnancy-related queasiness and vomiting. NCCAM continues to study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease.

Chiropractic, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulating involve moving areas of the body to re-establish alignment, relax the body, and support healing. Energy medication uses invisible energy fields for healing. Reiki, therapeutic touch, and the use of electromagnetic fields are examples of energy medication. Reiki is a twentieth century Japanese healing art in which the practitioner places his or her hands above the body of the person being treated. Besides promoting overall health and well being, Reiki can give relief from the side effects of conventional medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

NCCAM finances research on complementary and alternative approaches to obesity. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting kids as well as adults. A lot of health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, that had formerly been seen typically in adults have now become normal in kids and adolescents. The complexity of obesity warrants a multi-faceted line of attack to prevention and treatment.

The NCCAM urges persons who are using complementary, alternative, and natural remedies to tell their physicians. Doctors need to know about other remedies because of possible conflicts with conventional therapies. For example, certain natural remedies interact with prescription medicines and can cause unwanted sides effects.

There is yet another reason to talk about complementary and alternative treatments with physicians. Increasingly, doctors educated in traditional medicine appreciate the curative power of other approaches. Many are well-informed about complementary and alternative therapies and willing to work with patients who are interested in using natural remedies and cures as well as other non-traditional avenues of healing.