What is CAM?

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be a part of conventional medicine (nccam.nih.gov). Complementary medicine is used in conjunction with conventional medicine whereas alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medicine. Integrative medicine combines mainstream medical therapies and CAM therapies for which there is some high quality scientific evidence of safety and efficacy.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the federal government's lead agency for scientific research on CAM, groups CAM practices into five disciplines: biologically based practices, manipulative and body based practices, energy medicine, mind-body medicine, and whole-medical systems.

 

Biologically based practices include a variety of substances found in nature including herbs, vitamins, and foods.

Manipulative and body based practices are techniques based on the manipulation or movement of parts or the whole body.

Energy medicine involves the use of energy fields, including biofield therapies and bioelectric-magnetic therapies.

Mind-body medicines are practices intended to affect body function through the capacity of the mind.

Whole medical systems are complete health systems based on theory and practice.

(NCCAM, National Institutes of Health)

Last updated: October 13, 2009