Doctors Embracing Alternative Medicine

A growing number of Western medical doctors are incorporating alternative medicine into their practices, often prescribing alter­native therapies or dietary supplements in conjunction with traditional Western medical treatments. Disciplines such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and herbal medicine are now grouped under the umbrella term of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which is sometimes also referred to as integrative medicine. CAM is usually grouped into four main categories: nat­ural products, energy medicine, manipulative practices, and mind-body medicine. In 2005, CAM therapies were offered at 27 percent of hospitals, according to US News & World Report-an increase of 19 percent front 1998.

By integrating CAM into their medical practices, physicians are meeting the demands of todays patients. According to a survey conducted jointly by the National Center for Health Statistics and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), more than 74 percent of adults in the US have used some form of CAM, with 54 percent using CAM in conjunction with conventional medical treatments.

While the CAM movement is only now gaining in popularity with the US medical community, holistic medicine has been practiced for almost a thousand years throughout the world. Why are Western doc­tors jumping on board considering they were among the biggest skep­tics only a decade ago? While they still believe that the effectiveness of CAM practices must be confirmed via scientific study and research, they also now understand the benefits of combining proven CAM therapies with traditional Western medical approaches. For example, if a patient suffers from chronic back pain, a doctor might pre­scribe pain medicine as well as suggest breaming exercises, acupuncture, or massage therapy. Others may hold off on prescribing prescription medicine to treat diarrhea or headaches, first suggesting dietary changes or vitamin or herbal supplements. Doctors also believe in using CAM as a preventive measure. They may recommend exercise and nutrition­al changes to help patients prevent heart disease or high blood pressure.

Further proof of Western medicine warming to the CAM movement is found at US medical schools. According to a PBS Frontline documentary on CAM, more than half of all US med­ical schools-including prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Duke, and Northwestern-teach some form of alternative med­icine. (Other surveys peg that number to 60 percent of medical schools.) Ninety-five percent of osteopathic medical schools and 85 percent of nursing schools offer coursework in alternative medicine. Practicing physicians can also receive CAM training via conferences, such as those sponsored by the University of Chicago and the Mayo Clinic.

A better understanding and continued use of CAM is expect­ed, especially since the NCCAM is continuing to fund grants for
CAM research. More than 2,200 research studies have been con­ducted on CAM in the past decade.

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