Alternative therapies massage therapy

Complementary and alternative medicine, which includes a range of practices outside of conventional medicine such as herbs, homeopathy, massage therapy, yoga, and acupuncture, hold increasing appeal for Americans. In fact, according to one estimate, 42% of Americans have used alternative therapies. In all age groups, the use of unconventional healthcare practices has steadily increased in the last 30 years, and the trend is likely to continue, although people born before 1945 are the least likely to turn to these therapies. 

Complementary and alternative medicine CAM. Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH]... 

CAM. Data about 145 boys and 35 girls, with a mean age of 10 years, were obtained. The most popular form of alternative therapy was vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (51%), followed by nutritional supplements (14%), herbs and botanical medicines (11%), massage (9%), chiropractic (4%), homeopathy (4%), and acupuncture (2%). (Horrigan et ah, 1998). An anecdotal report described the use of St. John s wort by four teenagers who were under psychiatric care (Walter and Rey, 1999). Three of the patients had been reluctant to reveal this to their psychiatrist, believing the doctor had no interest in alternative medicine or would disapprove of it. 

Alternative therapies like massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and homeopathy are slowly growing in popularity people are constantly looking for new answers to old problems. 

Physical alternatives, including massage (specifically for psoriatic arthritis) and sun and water therapies, are increasingly used alongside conventional treatments for psoriasis patients. Again, their efficacy is currently unproven. 

Herbal products are considered a type of alternative medicine (e.g., herbal medicines, Chinese herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, biofeedback, color therapy, music therapy, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy. Ayurvedic medicine, massage, therapeutic touch, Bach flower remedies, chiropractic, reflexology, naturopathy, and more). According to the Office of Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), characteristics of alternatives medicine include treatments that lack sufficient documentation in the United States for safety and effectiveness against specific disease and... 

Complementary and alternative medicines A group of practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine, including alternative medical systems (e.g., homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine), mind-body interventions (e.g., meditation and mental healing), biologically-based therapies (e.g., dietary supplements, vitamins, herbs, and other natural products), manipulative body-based methods (e.g., acupuncture and massage), and energy therapies (e.g., therapeutic touch and bioelectromagnetic-based therapies). 

Clinical trials involving people, rather than animals, as patients are under way in a number of areas, including acupuncture, shark cartilage, diet alternatives (e.g., macrobiotic and flaxseed), the Asian therapy called Noni, L-camitine, massage, electroacupuncture, and mistletoe (combined with the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine). 

A third approach to medical care that has recently gained significantly in popularity is alternative medicine and the alternative approaches. These are varied but frequently involve such techniques as touch therapy and massage (acupressure), chiropractic, magnets, herbals, and naturopathic remedies. Herbal preparations and spiritual healing are also used that allow for mind and body control. 

Tanriover MD, Guven GS, Topeli A. An unusual complication prolonged myopathy due to an alternative medical therapy with heat and massage. South Med J 2009 102 (9) 966-8. 

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