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Complementary and Alternative Medicine or CAM are diagnostic or therapeutic techniques that are outside the mainstream of Western medicine. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine while complementary medicine is used along with conventional medicine though some of the treatments methods are the same. Although most people utilize mainstream medicine for diagnosis and basic information, many are now turning to alternatives for what they believe to be total body health-enhancing measures.

CAM is very popular with people who are terminally ill and has also been used on animals. There have also been sufficient instances of "inexplicable" extension of life and other significant health benefits for people who have pursued these options that the Western health systems are now seriously starting to further assess these systems. Alternative medicine is a fairly broad term which covers many different methods of treatment such as acupuncture, homeopathy, Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic and more.

Therapies such as biofeedback, massage, and exercise are also considered alternative medicine. Alternative medicine includes various systems of healing or treating disease such as chiropractic, homeopathy, and faith healing. Alternative medicine is a comprehensive approach to healing that uses natural methods to bring physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harmony. Alternative medicine systems believe body has a network of channels (meridians) that carry a subtle form of life energy. Since it uses a holistic approach and time-tested, natural remedies, hands-on treatments to help enable the body's own innate powers to do the healing, alternative medicine requires the patient to take a highly active part in healing their own body including prevention and treatment.

Complementary Medicine is sometimes used by "conventional" medical practitioners as an add on to "conventional" medical treatments such as drugs and surgery. Complementary therapies are used to improve wellness, prevent disease or treat health problems but the most popular and prevalent use remains pain control. Included in complementary medicine are a large number of practices and systems of health care like acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, osteopathy, reflexology and chiropractic that for many reasons have not been fully adopted by mainstream medicine. Complementary medicine also includes dietary and nutritional therapies such as macrobiotics, vegetarianism, and orthomolecular medicine.

Although CAM is starting to gain popularity in the West, most clinical research by the health care industry continues to focus on the success of each single modality or therapy within these systems. This is unfortunate as CAM is generally based on the belief that you need to, simultaneously, treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - which can include the use of many therapies at the same time.

Most of you must have heard about alternative medicine, ever wondered, what is alternative medicine? Well to define the term I would say that this is the phrase used to determine diverse methods of medicine besides the conventional ways. Alternative medicine comprises on a vast assortment of medical practices, these practices also includes European or Western practices plus also involve latest advances to medicine. In addition to alternative medicine the term of complementary medicine is also used. Complimentary medicine is actually a fusion of both conventional and alternative (http://www.nature-be.com/Alternative.php ) medicine.

With mounting research and inventions in medicine field the use of alternative medicine is accelerating worldwide and particularly in Western nations. Whereas Eastern part of the world is concerned, some variety of alternative medicine has been excited and practiced for many centuries. May be the reason of the popularity of this trend in West is because of the development of medical education among people plus the excessive amount of travel to various regions. Now there is far better literature available on this subject and medical societies specializing in different forms of alternative medicine are accessible.

These are some known forms of alternate medicine are:

1. Acupuncture.
2. Homeopathy.
3. Naturopathic medicine.
4. Osteopathy.

Acupuncture: is a primeval skill that had its roots in the Orient. This treatment includes manipulating and injecting needles into particular spots in the body. It is supposed that by doing this health and create well-being is restored. Different forms of acupuncture are taught globally. There are several forms of acupuncture which are taught worldwide. Acupuncture is the most popular type of alternative medicine.

Homeopathy: in this method the immune system of body is stimulated to support the healing system. This practice accomplishes the equilibrium or homeostasis of the whole body.

Naturopathic medicine: this is a unique practice that stimulates the body's own healing system. This treatment includes numerous forms of alternative medicine. This form of medication can be called natural therapy plus can include dietary supplements, exercise and different foods.

Osteopathy: this was initially a method based on the manipulation of the joints. Even today it is used for chronic back pain. Normally this method is used along with other forms of alternative medicine.

My suggestion is that for the treatment of serious illness and acute diseases it is essential to consult your physician before making any decisions. Your physician may use some type of alternative medicine united with conventional medicine, particularly when just the conventional medicine is not showing very effective results for a chronic condition. Regardless of the lack of credibility agreed about it by MD.s, some alternative medicine can work wonders. But of course it will all depend on your particular sickness plus your own body's functionality that alternative medicine can function well for you.

For more information about Alternative Medicine visit: http://www.nature-be.com/alternative-medicine.php

What is alternative medicine? This is a term used to describe the different forms of medicine other than conventional methods. Alternative medicine includes a wide variety of medical practices including non-European (non-Western) medical practices and will include some new approaches to medicine. There is also a term called complementary medicine. This is a combination of conventional medicine coupled with alternative medicine.

With increasing research and new findings in medicine there is a universal rise in the Western nations of alternative medicine. In the Eastern part of the world, namely the Orient, some forms of alternative medicine has been practiced for many centuries. Part of this trend in the West may be due to the growth of medical education among people and the increased amount of travel to different regions. More literature is now available on this subject and medical societies specializing in different forms of alternative medicine are available.

Some of the most common forms of alternate medicine are:

Acupuncture
Homeopathy
Naturopathic medicine
Osteopathy

Acupuncture: this is an ancient art which had its origins in the Orient. It involves manipulating and inserting needles into special points in the body. It is thought to restore health and create well-being. There are several forms of acupuncture which are taught worldwide. This is one of the most famous forms of alternative medicine.

Homeopathy: is a form of medicine that tries to stimulate the body’s immune system in order to promote healing. The practice of Homeopathy endeavors to bring the entire body back into homeostasis, or balance.

Naturopathic medicine: Is a practice that is designed to stimulate the body’s own healing system. This system utilizes multiple forms of alternative medicine. It can also be referred to as Natural therapy, and can include dietary supplements, exercise and different foods.

Osteopathy: Was originally a form of alternative medicine based on manipulation of the joints. It is still used for chronic back pain. It is often used with other forms of medicine.

When treating illness and serious diseases it is important to consult your physician before taking any decisions. Many doctors will endorse some sort of alternative medicine coupled with conventional medicine, especially if conventional medicine is not proving very effective for a chronic condition. Despite the lack of credibilty given it by MD.s, some alternative medicine can work surprisingly well. It will all depend on your particular illness and your own body’s functionality whether alternative medicine will work well for you.

The terms alternative medicine and complementary medicine are often wrongly used as synonyms. Actually, the term alternative medicine refers to medicine systems like Ayurveda or Acupuncture that are used in place of conventional medicine, while complementary medicine refers to those therapies like massage that are used in conjunction with conventional medicine.

However, both end up performing the same role in several western countries. That is why in popular parlance alternative medicine has come to be known as complementary medicine, giving birth to the term alternative and complementary medicine.

Most practitioners recognize acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic, Ayurveda, Homeopathy and herbal medicine as the most important forms of alternative and complementary medicine.

These may be the major alternative therapies but the list of alternative and complementary medicine does not end here. The other medicinal systems that can be included in this grouping are naturopathy, nutritional medicine, aromatherapy, massage, crystal healing and different types of energy medicine. Barring Homeopathy, most of the alternative and complementary medicine systems evolved in ancient times in countries like India, China, Egypt, Tibet and Persia.

An important aspect of alternative and complementary medicine is that it focuses on the person as a whole. The medicine is therefore based not only on the patient's physical symptoms but also on the individual's lifestyle, environment, diet, mental and emotional health; sometimes even the spiritual health. That is why alternative medicine is called holistic medicine.

Interestingly, alternative and complementary medicine is no longer limited to the mystic Orient. But the western world to is recognizing these medicinal therapies as an important component of healing.

Countries like India and China are using their knowledge of alternative and complementary medicine to promote what has come to be known as medical tourism. A large number of westerners are flying to these Asian countries to look for holistic cures.

In the West too, a large number of women are using aromatherapy and massage while men are turning to alternative and complementary medicine to recover from sports injuries or back pain.

The other medical problems for which practitioners are turning to alternative and complementary medicine are chronic ailments like arthritis, cystitis, asthma or chronic fatigue. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the value of holistic treatments. Among the diseases that WHO believes can be cured with these approaches are asthma, eczema, digestive disorders and headaches.

This growing acceptance of alternative and complementary medicine is a healthy sign for the world, because the synergies that have been so created are helping to tackle many incurable diseases. In the ultimate analysis, we should not forget that alternative and complementary medicine systems originated thousands of years ago, and have been successful in treating millions of people across the ages.

There are different interpretations of what Chinese medicine is. There are those who see it as an alternative medicine, especially when associated with acupuncture. China and Taiwan look to traditional Chinese medicine as an important part of their healthcare system. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was coined in the 1950s as a term to collectively refer to what was exported as "Chinese medicine".

Today traditional Chinese medicine means that which entails the Chinese theories, diagnosis and treatment of individuals using traditional Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage and Qigong. Sometimes it is called Oriental medicine or East Asian medicine.

Most who practice TCM believe that the human body is in constant interaction with the environment. Those that practice TCM can diagnose, understand and treat illness and even prevent it by means of ascertaining disharmony in an individual.

TCM has a theory based on several philosophical believes including the Yin-Yang theory, the Five Elements, the Meridian system, the Zang Fu Organ theory and a few others. These theories or concepts are collectively used to come up with a diagnosis.

It is important when utilizing Chinese herbs that you do so under the guidance of a health professional. You will have questions regarding the preparation, dosage, interactions, when to change formulas, what to do if other symptoms would occur that you may not have expected.

Also learn how long to follow the herbal therapy. All of these questions are best answered by someone how really understands Chinese medicine. Knowing about Chinese medicine is more than just reading an article or book. It takes years of studying to understand not only the book knowledge, but the inner understanding about balance and other Chinese theories.

Formulas are herbal combinations that are specifically designed for an individual based on symptoms, interview and inspection. Formulas are not mass-produced but done one at a time for a specific individual. Formulas are not available in stores or on the Internet. Those practicing Chinese medicine will prescribe a formula that the patient can take to a herbal shop in order to have the formula prepared.

It is recommended that you find a local practitioner to aid you in consultations and treatments instead of traveling great distances to have one consultation with a Chinese practice of notoriety.

Chinese medicine is not an exact science. Treatment varies and has many factors including herbs to be used, dosage, the duration of the treatment and any additional treatment such as acupuncture.

Chinese medicine like many clinics for Western medicine has a way for low-income patients to receive care. Colleges of traditional Chinese medicine offer discounted services because students are there to learn from experience treating patients. Other practitioners often times will offer low cost or sliding scale fees to assist those with lower income to pay for traditional Chinese medicinal care.

Going the distance for care in China:

There are those who desire Chinese medicine and are willing to receive it from those actually practicing in China. There are many obstacles such as the language barrier, travel arrangements, the availability of hotel rooms and the ability of Chinese hospitals to accommodate foreign patients. Certain clinics in China are set up to treat specific diseases and may offer to provide foreign patients with long distance consultations where the patient sends the clinic his/her medical information and the clinic will design and ship the proper herbs for a fee.

Chinese medicine sometimes referred to as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) or CCM (Classical Chinese Medicine) has a rich history dating back to thousands of years B.C. Based on the philosophies of the Tao and classical Chinese beliefs, these two variations of Chinese medicine differ from each other in that CCM strictly adheres to roots of the ancient Chinese medicine; and TCM is a more accepted form of alternative medicine that has become more "Westernized" in conjunction with modern terms.

Broadly taught throughout China, TCM is also offered through a number of Chinese medicine or acupuncture schools in North America as well. Teaching holistic principles that demonstrate how all things are connected (mind, spirit, and body); future Chinese medicine practitioners learn how to prescribe herbal prescriptions relative to the patient. The belief is to treat the "whole person," not the disease.

Chinese medicine aims to balance the yin (water and earth) and yang (fire and air) of the body's life force (Chi or Qi); and is a highly evolved medicine in that it approaches healthcare on the foundation of the meridian system (energy channels of the body). Unlike conventional medicine in the West, Chinese medicine places an emphasis on the body's elements, and their interrelation with the body's individual systems.

If you visit a Chinese medicine practitioner, you will discover an entirely different form of diagnostics. In addition to observing a patient's face, these holistic health practitioners perform a pulse diagnosis (palpation of the radial artery pulse), body palpation, and other unique non-invasive diagnostic measures.

Once a Chinese medicine practitioner has formulated his observations, and has come to a conclusive treatment method, some of the many holistic medicines that he might offer include Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, holistic nutrition advice, moxibustion, cupping, Tuina (Chinese medical massage), Qigong, or Tai Chi, among others. Some specialized practitioners may administer auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) as a health treatment.

Licensed Chinese medicine practitioners today have acquired a great deal of education and training. While there are many acupuncture and Oriental medicine schools in North America and abroad, no two curriculums are the same. However, prospective students in the United States have the option to enroll in a variety of Oriental medicine programs including Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM), Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM), or Bachelors or Masters in Traditional Oriental medicine and acupuncture, among others.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding educational programs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massotherapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore Chinese medicine programs near you.

Chinese Medicine: An Overview
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine or CAM are diagnostic or therapeutic techniques that are outside the mainstream of Western medicine. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine while complementary medicine is used along with conventional medicine though some of the treatments methods are the same. Although most people utilize mainstream medicine for diagnosis and basic information, many are now turning to alternatives for what they believe to be total body health-enhancing measures.

CAM is very popular with people who are terminally ill and has also been used on animals. There have also been sufficient instances of "inexplicable" extension of life and other significant health benefits for people who have pursued these options that the Western health systems are now seriously starting to further assess these systems. Alternative medicine is a fairly broad term which covers many different methods of treatment such as acupuncture, homeopathy, Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic and more.

Therapies such as biofeedback, massage, and exercise are also considered alternative medicine. Alternative medicine includes various systems of healing or treating disease such as chiropractic, homeopathy, and faith healing. Alternative medicine is a comprehensive approach to healing that uses natural methods to bring physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harmony. Alternative medicine systems believe body has a network of channels (meridians) that carry a subtle form of life energy. Since it uses a holistic approach and time-tested, natural remedies, hands-on treatments to help enable the body's own innate powers to do the healing, alternative medicine requires the patient to take a highly active part in healing their own body including prevention and treatment.

Complementary Medicine is sometimes used by "conventional" medical practitioners as an add on to "conventional" medical treatments such as drugs and surgery. Complementary therapies are used to improve wellness, prevent disease or treat health problems but the most popular and prevalent use remains pain control. Included in complementary medicine are a large number of practices and systems of health care like acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, osteopathy, reflexology and chiropractic that for many reasons have not been fully adopted by mainstream medicine. Complementary medicine also includes dietary and nutritional therapies such as macrobiotics, vegetarianism, and orthomolecular medicine.

Although CAM is starting to gain popularity in the West, most clinical research by the health care industry continues to focus on the success of each single modality or therapy within these systems. This is unfortunate as CAM is generally based on the belief that you need to, simultaneously, treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - which can include the use of many therapies at the same time.

A veterinarian (from Latin veterinae, "draught animals") is an animal doctor, a practitioner of veterinary medicine. Although veterinarians hold doctoral degrees in veterinary medicine, not all veterinarians enter clinical practice. Those that work in clinical settings practice medicine in specific fields, such as companion animal or "pet" medicine, reptile medicine, ratite medicine, livestock medicine, equine medicine (e.g. sports, race track, show, rodeo), or laboratory animal medicine. Other veterinarians research areas of human medicine, veterinary medicine, and pharmacology. Research veterinarians were the first to isolate oncoviruses, Salmonella species, Brucella species, and various other pathogenic agents. They also helped conquer malaria and yellow fever; solved the mystery of botulism; produced an anticoagulant used to treat human heart disease; and developed surgical techniques for humans, such as hip-joint replacement, and limb and organ transplants.

Like all physicians, veterinarians must make serious ethical decisions about their patients' care. There is ongoing debate over the ethics of performing certain controversial procedures, like declawing cats and docking tails, cropping ears, and debarking dogs. In some countries, these procedures are illegal, and therefore their practice is contentious. The Veterinarian's Oath was adopted by the American Veterinary Medical Association's House of Delegates July 1969, and amended by the AVMA Executive Board, November 1999. It goes as follows:
"Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics."

Some veterinarians work in a field called regulatory medicine — ensuring the nation's food safety by working with the USDA FSIS, or work by protecting us from imported exotic animal diseases by working for the USDA APHIS. The emerging field of conservation medicine involves veterinarians even more directly with human health care, providing a multidisciplinary approach to medical research that also involves environmental scientists.

More than 3,800 veterinarians in the USA currently work at veterinary schools where they teach student vets what they need to know to graduate — teaching is another career path for a veterinarian.
Veterinary school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, which is involved in the education of future veterinary practitioners (veterinarians). The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of veterinary programs offered at veterinary schools vary considerably around the world. In the U.S., a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree (D.V.M.) (Or in the Veterinary Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania, a degree of veterinary medical doctor (V.M.D.) is awarded) is a four-year program. The program generally consists of 21D2 to 3 years of mostly traditional classroom coursework followed by the clinical rotations. Currently, unlike human medical school, a subsequent internship and/or residency are not required, but are optional to those who choose to seek further education and possible accreditation. Unsurprisingly, the number of veterinarians pursuing internships and/or residencies will continue to increase as the understanding of veterinary medicine continues to grow greater. A good veterinarian enjoys working with animals and their owners. Admission into veterinary medical school is so competitive that in the United States it is far easier to gain acceptance into either a medical school or a top Law School than to meet the GPA requirements for most veterinary schools. This situation occurs mostly because there are far fewer schools, allowing the schools to be much more selective. According to the US Department of Labor, only 1 in 3 applicants were accepted into a veterinary program in 2002. Prerequisites for admission include the undergraduate studies listed under veterinary medicine and extensive veterinary experience (typically about 500 or more hours) in private practice or other veterinary environment. The average veterinary medical student has an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and a GRE score of approximately 1800. US graduates are awarded either a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or the less common Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree, depending upon the traditions of the veterinary school.

Public health medicine is another option for veterinarians. Veterinarians in government and private laboratories provide diagnostic and testing services. Some veterinarians serve as state epidemiologists, directors of environmental health, and directors of state or city public health departments. Veterinarians are also employed by the US Agriculture Research Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Library of Medicine, and National Institutes of Health. The military also employs veterinarians in a number of capacities — caring for pets on military bases, caring for military working animals, and controlling various arthropod-borne diseases or other such things.

Veterinary medicine is the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife, and production animals. Veterinary Science is concerned with the scientific basis of animal production, health and disease. It requires the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge in several disciplines and uses technical skills towards the solution of animal production, health, management and welfare problems.
Veterinary medicine is informally as old as the human/animal bond but in recent years has expanded exponentially because of the availability of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for most species. Animals nowadays often receive advanced medical, dental, and surgical care including insulin injections, root canals, hip replacements, cataract extractions, and pacemakers.

Veterinarians assist in ensuring the quality, quantity, and security of food supplies by working to maintain the health of livestock and inspecting the meat itself. Veterinary scientists are very important in chemical, biological, and pharmacological research.

In many countries, equine veterinary medicine is also a specialized field. Clinical work with horses involves mainly locomotor and orthopaedic problems, digestive tract conditions (including equine colic, which is a major cause of death among domesticated horses), and respiratory tract infections and disorders.

As in the human medical field, veterinary medicine (in practice) requires a diverse group of individuals to meet the need of patients. In addition to veterinarians, many veterinary hospitals utilize a team of veterinary nurses and veterinary assistants to completely care for healing, critical and well animals. Veterinary nurses are generally registered as "veterinary technicians" in most states and are legally qualified to assist veterinarians in many medical procedures. Veterinary assistants, who are not licensed by most states, but can be well-trained at facilities such as The School for Veterinary Assistants, are also becoming increasingly in-demand in the veterinary industry due to a wide range of treatments and services being offered to meet the higher expectations of pet owners in the United States.