It is often thought that mainstream biomedicine is the world’s standard health care system, assuming it is used by most people most of the time. But careful estimates reveal that worldwide only 10 to 30 percent of health care is delivered by the conventional, biomedically oriented health care system. The remaining 70 to 90 percent is sought out by people for self care (folk principle) or in an organized system based on alternative traditions. It is these alternative traditions that have not only survived but will continue to thrive for many years to come.

It is worth thinking about how health choices are made. Often when an individual is ill, they usually begin by trying home remedies and consulting with friends and family. It is when the condition persists that they will seek out side help from a specialist. Old time doctors that made house calls often presented with a variety of options from wives tale to spiritual to manipulation to drug and therapeutic interventions. Today our options are overwhelming.

Conventional? Complementary? Alternative? Integrative?

• Conventional Medicine is the typical mainstream biomedicine as delivered by medical doctors.
• Complementary Medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example is using aromatherapy to lessen the discomfort following surgery.
• Alternative Medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example would be using dietary changes to treat cancer.
• Integrative Medicine as defined by NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) combines mainstream medical therapies and CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapies for which there is some high quality scientific evidence.

NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into five categories:

1. Alternative Medical Systems – these are based upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often evolving apart from conventional medicine.
   1. Homeopathic Medicine
   2. Naturopathic Medicine
   3. Traditional Chinese Medicine
   4. Ayurveda.
2. Mind-Body Interventions – these techniques are designed to enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms.
   1. Meditation and prayer
   2. Mental healing
   3. Therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
3. Biologically Based Therapies – these use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins.
   1. Dietary Supplements
   2. Herbal Products
4. Manipulative and Body Based Methods – these are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body.
   1. Chiropractic
   2. Osteopathic
   3. Massage
5. Energy Therapies – these involve the use of energy fields.
   1. Biofield therapies (qi gong, Reiki, and therapeutic touch)
   2. Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies (pulsed fields, and magnetic fields)

   In a nationwide telephone survey conducted in 1990, it was found that up to one in three people used alternative therapies (CAM). In 1997 a study found that 42 percent of the adult population used at least one of 16 alternative therapies. And America has spent in excess of $34 Billion. And more than 60 percent of the time people don’t disclose use of alternative therapies to their doctors. Nearly 32 percent of people who saw medical doctors for a condition also used an alternative therapy for the same condition.

Note: It is important that open physician – patient communication is accomplished. As Complementary and Alternative medicine become more mainstream and accepted a goal should be towards true integrative medicine to benefit the consumer in the end. After all it is the consumer that is creating the utilization and popularity of CAM options. Health care options are always available. Hopefully the future will close the gap between conventional and alternative and doctors will come together in an Integrative approach.

(Editor’s Note: Dr. Monique West can be contacted at The Gym at the Pavilion (206) 855-0880.).