Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The number of Complementary and Alterative medicine (CAM) consumer is constantly increasing. According to the field of study Health In phaseation survey in 2004, nearly 40% of Ameri force out adults used some form of ersatz therapies and spend around 30 billion dollars per year on unestablished medicine (Kayne 2008, p. 93). The marge alternative medicine refers to all the therapeutic come that is non part of the conventional medicine such(prenominal) as herbal medicine, acupuncture and yoga (Hirsch, 2009).Allopathic medicine is based on scientific knowledge that has already been proved efficient whereas most of homeopathic sermons are based on tradition and beliefs in spiritual energies. It allow be argued that although logical issues and concerns switching with the unconventional therapy, the various advantages of homeopathic methods outweigh any potential inconveniences if it is sanitary practiced and complementary.This is essay will examine the various drawbacks and be nefits of this therapeutical approach. First of all, on the disadvantage status alternative medicine usually does not heal the patient instantly. Indeed herbal treatments for instance nates take weeks before a real improvement appeared. Sometimes numerous acupuncture sessions or massages are required for a long lasting result. As a consequence the one concerned depose get impatient and decided to switch to a more conventional better.Moreoer, according to Dr. Hirsch (2009) to adopt CAM it demands to invest a considerable amount of time, energy and money (as it is rarely covered by health insurance). Furthermore, affect denounces the fact that some people choose to treat some severe disease primarily with alternative therapies whereas it should notwithstanding be in addition to conventional medicine. Under those circumstances, damage can be make beyond repair by the time the patient realize that the treatment do not carry at all.Besides, CAM practices can meddle with convent ional medication, for example herbal supplements can interfere with treatments like birth-control pills. supra all, Dr. Hirsch (2009) states that CAM users must keep in mind that contrary to conventional medical doctors, there is only hardly a(prenominal) trained and licensed CAM practitioners. As an illustration, practice such as yoga can be dangerous if the political campaign are not done properly with a professional. Finally few scientists like Kaptchuk. (2002) note that placebo ready whitethorn enhance results from alternative remedy.As the CAM users believe for instance, that healing ritual such as acupuncture is solid for their mind and body it will then meet true benefits on the patients for some specific unsoundness as emotional state can influence the immune system. Although this may be true that CAM practice must be done with carefulness and awareness it is not true that the demerits brought by CAM prevail over the merits. First thing to remember in the advantage sid e, as stated by Buzescu (2011, p. 130) alternative therapies have almost no side effects as it works with the body instead of eliminating symptoms like the conventional medicine.The scientist also holds the views that it is a green friendly practice inwrought substances are applied and the modus operandi is quiet simple. In the same way this searcher believes that users may feel reassured that they will probably not free-base dangerous and polluted chemicals in their products. In addition, it is important to realize that millions of underprivileged families heal themselves and rely only on unconventional medicine thanks to the fact that it not expensive, contrarily to the modern drugs.Moreover the complementary healing approach is neat increasingly successful for its aptitude to diagnosticate and focus on the real nature of the disease. It pays more attention to the mental and emotional symptoms. As a matter of fact practitioners have the knowledge and are engaged to encourage th e mind-body connection. Consequently they give to other(a)s the aptitude to bear their sickness through various resources, techniques and natural remedies. Buzescu (2011, p. 30) goes on to say that the main goal of complementary medicine is to help or complete unstained treatment methods. In other words CAM is used in addition to conventional healing treatments, to deal with symptoms or side effects that had not been yet cured. In this case, it has been suggested to patients to discuss with the conventional doctor some their intentions to add complementary healing techniques to their previous treatment and more especially if it involves herbal therapies Malbley(1998).Likewise, this practice is becoming more accepted and approved by the conventional doctors, but keep in mind that it can only works as a complement and not as an alternative, a complement should not lead to a total replacement Dawson (2008). Indeed there is finally a theory that CAM treatment can be use for disease l ike cancer, as it procures some reliefs from signs and symptoms (Tovey, Chatwin and Broom, 2007). To conclude, in recent old age CAM healing approach have risen in popularity among industrialized countries.One the one hand, it shows some disadvantages as it may be a long-term treatment that demand a lot of personal investment and which is sometimes taken without a full knowledge of the facts that it may only rely on the placebo effect. On the other hand it merits such as the fact that there is no side effect, it is a cost in effect(p) and green approach that focus on the core of the disease to heal, largely compensate the demerits if it is used as a complement. However it is obvious that in order to avoid any abuse, governments should implement laws and regulations toward CAM practice.