Complementary/ Alternative Medicine (CAM) Education

1985 Words4 Pages

There needs to be a closer look at attitudes and education of information on complementary/alternative medicine, also known as CAM. Earlier Americans to the new world came with their own traditions and practices of medicine and treatments that have been passed down from generation to generation. Since most families came to America with no money, they used a lot of natural remedies, and ancient traditions to treat their ailments, which cost little or nothing. This form of medicine and treatment has been forgotten, and more traditional practices have been pushed to the front of mainstream medical community, which is government regulated treatment and medicine. High cost of health care today and the urge to seek new treatments and cures encourages consumers to go back to using ancient treatments and medications that are non-evasive and cheaper than traditional medicine and treatment. Consumers should be encouraged to learn more about complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) information and how it can improve their health care decisions.

The old traditional medicines and treatments that were practiced by grandmothers for generations is now being integrated into the mainstream medical community, due to cost and consumers looking for a more natural way of healing.

Complementary/alternative medicine, known as CAM, is currently defined by:

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), states that the CAM field is very broad and constantly changing. NCCAM defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. (para.2)

The great thing about CAM is that it has finally being recognized as a form of health practi...

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