Introduction

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a variety of healing approaches and therapies taken from around the world. Many aspects of complementary and alternative medicine are rooted in ancient systems of healing, such as those of China, India, Tibet, and Africa. Complementary and alternative medicine includes treatments and health care practices that generally are not taught in most medical schools, used in hospitals, or reimbursed by insurance companies.

Complementary and alternative medicine practices may be used alone (alternative medicine) or in conjunction with conventional medicine (complementary medicine). For simplicity, however, the term alternative medicine is used in the remainder of this chapter.

Although the distinction between conventional and alternative medicine is not always easy to determine, a basic philosophical difference exists. Conventional medicine generally defines health as the absence of disease. The main causes of disease are usually considered to be isolated factors, such as pathogens (bacteria or viruses) or biochemical imbalances, and treatment often involves drugs or surgery. In contrast, alternative medicine practices often define health as a balance of body systems--physical, emotional, and spiritual--involving the whole person, that is, a holistic approach. Disharmony between these systems is thought to cause illness. Treatment involves strengthening the body's own defenses and restoring these balances. Alternative medicine also emphasizes preventing health problems before they arise.

An increasing number of people in Western countries are exploring alternative medicine as part of their medical care. In 1997, Americans made more than 629 million visits to alternative medicine practitioners, a 47% increase since 1990. This number substantially exceeds the 386 million visits made to all primary care doctors in the same year. The conditions for which people are most likely to seek alternative medicine treatments include chronic lower back pain, stress, migraine headaches, and arthritis. Some people also seek alternative medicine treatment when conventional treatment offers little hope, especially at the end of life.