Complementary and Alternative Medicine covers a wide range of trends and traditions such as Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Dietary supplements, Yoga, Lifeline technique and Massage. It is predicted that by 2025 the Complementary and Alternative Medicine will be worth in the region of $196 billion.A recent research letter by Quato et al published in the JAMA states that 33.2 percent of children (ages 0-19) used some form of alternative medicine between the years 2003-14.

So why the increase in CAM popularity?

When I first started working in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine arena in 2000, there was a lot of skepticism from my former colleagues i.e. doctors and scientists. However, in the years that followed, I noticed that despite the skepticism that many of their wives, girlfriends and children started used Alternative medicine.In the past few years, many doctors have shown a new acceptance of alternative medicine treatments. The reason for this growth is that a holistic approach is required to treat chronic disease, as a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Some pharma companies will plug the line ‘personalized healthcare’ but how can one drug be personalized therapy unless it is a treatment for infectious disease.

The reason why Complementary and Alternative Medicine is successful is mainly due not to the CAM professionals e.g. acupuncturist, herbalist, ayurvedic doctor etc, who emphasis holistic treatment on the 5 pillars of health:
1. Emotional
2. Physical
3. Environmental
4. Nutritional
5. Sleep

Complementary and Alternative Medicine can have major benefits on health if used the correct way. The answer is not to enter a health store and purchase herb or mineral supplements that you think will help without any prior evidence. You may not understand what the root cause of the health issue is.

Treatment of Chronic diseases

There is now abundant scientific evidence that Complementary and Alternative Medicine treatments work. The evidence is overwhelming in the case of preventive medicine. The Apple A Day RX app has hundreds of research publications of CAM practices that have been scientifically proven.

For example, a 2014 study on 3,759 colorectal cancer patients concluded that combined lifestyle factors, such as healthy weight, physical activity, no smoking, limited alcohol consumption, and a healthy diet, were associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer in European populations characterized by Western lifestyles.

For the best effect of CAM

To demonstrate the best effects of CAM it is important to include it in the practice of allopathic care i.e. Integrative Medicine. Integrative medicine incorporates the best elements of complementary and alternative medicine alongside conventional, mainstream methods of treatment and diagnosis.

So get on board before it is too late!

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