Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Week 1 - Overview of CAM

Jamie Gold

General Purpose: To educate

Specific Purpose: To educate my listeners about complementary and alternative
medicine

<Pass out course syllabus>

I. Review syllabus with students
A. Discuss course description
B. Review learning outcomes
1. CAM101-1
2. CAM101-2
3. CAM101-3

II. What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)?

CAM is considered to be products, practices, and health care systems that are not generally used
in conventional medicine (Tabish, 2008). These could include yoga, reiki, massage therapy,
acupuncture, Ayurveda, Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM). There are many forms of CAM
available. Americans spent over $30 billion on CAM approaches in 2012, and the numbers
continue to grow (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2017).

<Answer student questions>

<pass out handout>

III. Five Categories of CAM approaches:

A. Alternative medical systems: Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, TCM
B. Mind-body interventions: Hypnosis, Visual imagery, Meditation, Yoga, Biofeedback
C. Biologically-based treatment: Herbs, Special diets, Vitamins, Aromatherapy
D. Manipulative and body-based methods: Chiropractic, Massage, Postural reeducation
E. Energy therapies: Acupuncture, Reiki, Magnetic therapy, Therapeutic touch (TT)

References
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2017). Americans Spent #30.2 Billion Out-
of-Pocket on Complementary Health Approaches. Retrieved from
https://nccih.nih.gov/news/press/cost-spending-06222016.
Tabish, S. A. (2008). Complementary and Alternative Healthcare: Is it Evidence-based? International
Journal of Health Sciences, 2(1), V–IX.

Handout Retrieved from http://www.gustrength.com/health:cam-domains