Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) is the term for medical practices and products that are not used in conventional medicine.

Complementary and alternative therapies have been used to prevent and treat illnesses for hundreds of years dating back centuries. These can include chiropractic care, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, massage and art therapy. Though several different methods exist, they all use the body’s natural healing system for recovery and prevention. Many people turn to these methods to avoid the dangerous side effects, they feel, can result from conventional medicine.

If alternative medicine or therapy is used alone or instead of conventional medicine, it is called “alternative” medicine. If the treatment or therapy is done along with or in addition to conventional medicine, it is referred to as “Complementary Medicine” as the two practices complements each other. For example, many Chinese hospitals use acupuncture to reduce the pain during the surgery instead of anesthetics. This is complementary medicine.

Pain.com provides this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions regarding treatment and care with your healthcare provider. Pain.com does not endorse any product, service or therapy.