essay on alternative medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Essay

Introduction, cam definition, methods, and specifics of safe use, ethics and informed consent, sample informed consent form.

Alternative medicine is the area of knowledge, skills, and techniques based on centuries-old theory. The use of alternative medicine methods depends on many factors – historical, ethnic, cultural, economic, etc. However, many researchers believe that the main principles of the CAM are “aligned with the goals of contemporary medical education and serve a critical function in the development of effective, humanistic physicians” (Chow et al., 2016, p. 16). Therefore, it is vital to examine the methods, principles, and peculiarities of using CAM in a safe manner and for the benefit of a patient.

Complementary and alternative medicine has been defined in multiple ways by different medical institutions. A certain number of researchers argue that “complementary therapies can be combined with conventional medical treatment while alternative therapy is to be used instead of conventional therapy” (Khan et al., 2016, p. 1). However, most agree that CAM is a set of practices and approaches to be used in a health care system that is not considered conventional.

Users of CAM are often people who turn to holistic practitioners in the hope of getting a cure or relief from symptoms due to unmet medical requirements or a delay in obtaining medical treatment. Debates about the usefulness of CAM are ongoing for a long time. Some concerns also include the possible harmful side effects, delaying the required surgery, chemotherapy, or other traditional treatments (Simon, 2019). The most common misconception about holistic healthcare providers is that they believe and see alternative medicine as the only correct treatment option. Health care practitioners need to have information and knowledge to discuss CAM practices with their patients by communicating the possibilities of alternative treatment, thus exploring all the options of serving their patients’ best interests. As with any procedure, it is important to discuss its safety before using it. Natural products, herbal medicines, sold as dietary supplements, are readily sold to the consumers. However, it should be stressed that their use needs to be consulted with a health care practitioner.

Acupuncture, massage, chiropractic are among the holistic treatments used along with the traditional ones. Recent research on Infant Colic showed that the use of probiotics and acupuncture might alleviate symptoms of the condition along with the use of conventional treatments (Perry et al., 2019). CAM therapies such as aromatherapy and reflexology are also popular with asthma and allergy patients.

CAM ethical assumptions to be made include a doctor’s commitment to the patient’s welfare, respect for the choices of a patient, ability to consider various forms of treatment. One of the ethical issues a health care practitioner encounters is the disclosure of medical conditions transparently and responsibly. A trust-based relation should be established for practical patient/professional cooperation when patients are enabled to discuss any issues with openness and honesty and expect the same in return.

The primary purpose of informed consent is to protect the patient by providing all the information about the use, benefits, risks, and potential outcomes of treatment. A patient must be of legal age, mentally healthy, and in a clear mind to sign the consent form. During the process of signing the consent form, a health professional must be responsible for covering all the aspects and ensuring understanding.

Procedure: Extraction of teeth

I understand that if this tooth is not removed, my condition may worsen, resulting in complications including but not limited to:

Loss of additional teeth

Possible complications that have been explained to me include dry socket, infection, swelling, bruising.

I had the opportunity to discuss this surgery with the doctor and fully consent to the surgery as described.

Patient, Parent, or Guardian

Chow, G., Liou, K. T., & Heffron, R. C. (2016). Making whole: Applying the principles of integrative medicine in medical education . Rhode Island Medical Journal 99 (3), 16-19.

Khan, M. U., Jamshed, S. Q., Ahmad, A., Bidin, M. A., Siddiqui, M. J., & Al-Shami, A. K. (2016). Use of complementary and alternative medicine among osteoarthritic patients: a review . Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 10 (2), 1-6.

Perry, R., Leach, V., Penfold, C., & Davies, P. (2019). An overview of systematic reviews of complementary and alternative therapies for infantile colic . Systematic Reviews 8 (271).

Simon, S. (2019). The truth about alternative medical treatments . American Cancer Society .

Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, September 6). Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://ivypanda.com/essays/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-essay-examples/

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Complementary and Alternative Medicine." September 6, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-essay-examples/.

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Holistic Healing: Examining the Efficacy of Alternative Medicine Practices

This essay about the rise of alternative medicine explores its growing popularity in the healthcare landscape. Centered on the principle of comprehensive well-being, it into practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, mindfulness meditation, and nutritional therapy. Departing from conventional symptom-focused approaches, alternative medicine embraces a holistic paradigm that addresses the interplay of mind, body, and spirit. The text highlights the efficacy of these practices, citing scientific evidence supporting acupuncture’s impact on the nervous system and herbal medicine’s diverse remedies. While acknowledging skeptics’ concerns about scientific validation, the essay underscores the paradigm shift towards patient-centric healthcare and the potential integration of holistic well-being into mainstream medical practices.

How it works

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, an escalating number of individuals are gravitating toward alternative medicine practices to foster their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Foundational to alternative medicine is the principle of comprehensive well-being, which asserts that health is a delicate equilibrium between mind, body, and spirit. This essay meticulously explores the efficacy of alternative medicine practices, peeling back the layers of the growing fascination with holistic healing and its profound influence on overall wellness.

At the heart of alternative medicine lies the belief in the innate ability of the human body to rejuvenate itself under optimal conditions.

Departing from the conventional medical focus on symptom alleviation, holistic well-being dives deeper, uncovering and addressing the root causes of health issues. This holistic paradigm not only confronts physical ailments but also acknowledges the intricate interplay of mental, emotional, and spiritual elements.

The ancient Chinese therapeutic practice of acupuncture stands as a testament to the expanding acknowledgment of alternative medicine techniques. Through the precise insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of energy, known as Qi, acupuncture enthusiasts argue for its potential in alleviating conditions like chronic pain, stress, and digestive disorders. Scientific inquiries lend support to these contentions, suggesting that acupuncture may influence the nervous system and instigate the release of natural pain-relieving substances within the body.

Herbal medicine, deeply rooted in tradition across diverse cultures, emerges as another prominent facet of alternative medicine. Tapping into the therapeutic properties of plants, herbal medicine offers a natural and holistic approach to enhancing overall health. From ginseng promoting vitality to echinacea fortifying the immune system, herbal remedies present a diverse array of alternatives to synthetic medications.

Mindfulness meditation, with its origins in ancient contemplative traditions, transcends historical boundaries to become a potent instrument for mental and emotional well-being. Immersing individuals in the present moment and nurturing awareness, practitioners of mindfulness meditation strive to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. Scientific investigations underscore the transformative impact of regular mindfulness meditation on brain structure, hinting at enhancements in mood and emotional regulation.

The holistic healing paradigm extends its influence to nutritional therapy, accentuating the pivotal role of diet in sustaining optimal health. Collaborating with individuals, nutritional therapists craft personalized dietary plans targeting specific health concerns and fostering overall well-being. This approach recognizes the profound impact of nutrition on the body’s capacity to function optimally and partake in self-healing processes.

Despite the surging interest in alternative medicine practices, skeptics persist in their contention that the lack of robust scientific evidence and standardized protocols hinders their widespread acceptance. Critics stress the imperative need for rigorous scientific studies to validate the efficacy and safety of various alternative therapies. Furthermore, integrating alternative medicine into conventional healthcare systems necessitates overcoming skepticism among medical professionals and addressing concerns about potential interactions with traditional treatments.

In conclusion, the pursuit of holistic well-being through alternative medicine practices signifies a paradigm shift toward a more comprehensive and patient-centric healthcare approach. An in-depth exploration of acupuncture, herbal medicine, mindfulness meditation, and nutritional therapy underscores a departure from mere symptom management, signaling a profound understanding and targeted addressing of the root causes of health issues. As ongoing research continues to shed light on the effectiveness of these practices, the assimilation of holistic well-being into mainstream healthcare holds the promise of ushering in a more inclusive, patient-focused future.

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Alternative Medicine Essay Examples

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