Alternative or Complementary Medicine (CAM) constitutes that stream of medicine which is prevalent in society but which is not recognized or authorized by the mainstream medical fraternity due to its want of scientific explanations.
In an attempt to give a formal definition to CAM, The Panel on Definition and Description, CAM Research Methodology Conference, Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, April 1995 defined complementary and alternative medicine as
“A broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period. CAM includes all such practices and ideas self-defined by their users as preventing or treating illness or promoting health and well being. Boundaries within CAM and between CAM domain and the domain of the dominant system are not always sharp or fixed.”
Difference between Alternative and Contemporary Medicines
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.
Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by an unconventional doctor
A range of unconventional choices will always be present in society along with mainstream route of medicine. In place of dismissive attitude, the modern allopathic system of medicine needs to analyze these options on a serious note and try to integrate those aspects of CAM that have verified scientific and proven beneficiary for patients.
