Delight your friends and family with mouthwatering dishes this Cinco de Mayo. Whether you prefer traditional favorites or modern twists, these recipes are sure to bring everyone together for a festive celebration.
Apple-Inspired Vegan Fajitas
Give your Cinco de Mayo menu a plant-based makeover with Vegan Apple and Black Bean Fajitas. This innovative take on a classic dish features a mix of sauteed apples, peppers, zucchini, jicama, onion, and jalapeno, all cooked to perfection. Envy Apples add a unique crunch and sweetness to the fajitas, making them a standout dish for any gathering.
Protein-Packed Apple Tacos
For a protein boost, try Crisp Apple Tacos with tender pork loin, cabbage, apples, carrots, and a honey-infused dressing. These tacos are perfect for feeding a crowd, allowing guests to customize their tacos with their favorite toppings. The addition of Envy Apples adds a burst of flavor and freshness to the dish.
Enhance your Cinco de Mayo celebration with the irresistible taste of Envy Apples. Their natural sweetness and crisp texture make them a versatile ingredient for all your favorite recipes, from festive gatherings to cozy nights at home.
For more delicious recipes and meal ideas, visit EnvyApple.com.
Vegan Apple and Black Bean Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 1 bell pepper, sliced, seeds removed
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 small jicama, sliced
- 3 Envy Apples, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 jalapeno, sliced, seeds removed
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 sprigs fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste (optional)
- 1 cup cooked black beans
- 1 lime
- 3 sprigs fresh cilantro
- 4 small flour tortillas
Directions:
- In a skillet over high heat, saute bell pepper, zucchini, jicama, and half of the apple slices. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, saute onions, jalapenos, and garlic until caramelized. Combine with sauteed apples, season with cumin and oregano, and add chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked black beans, squeeze lime, and garnish with cilantro and remaining apple slices. Serve with tortillas.
Crisp Apple Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound pork tenderloin
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste, divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper, plus additional to taste, divided
- 2 Envy Apples, divided
- 3 sprigs rosemary
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded green cabbage
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 12 soft taco shells
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Directions:
- Cut pork into medallions, coat with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and cook in a saucepan. Add apple wedges and rosemary, then slice the cooked pork.
- Toss apple sticks, carrots, and cabbages in a serving bowl. Mix honey, mayo, mustard, and vinegar for dressing, then combine with cabbage and chill.
- Top taco shells with pork, slaw, sour cream, lime juice, and apple wedges.
Make your Cinco de Mayo celebration unforgettable with these delectable apple-inspired recipes. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients that Envy Apples bring to the table for a festive and flavorful feast.
The post Sweet Solutions to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the opposite of holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine, a method of health care, considers all aspects, including the spiritual, emotional, and environmental aspects. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.
Doctors who practice holistic medicine believe that prevention is better than cure. They work closely with their patients to help them achieve optimal wellness.
They work to find the root cause of disease and prevent it recurring. Holistic physicians look at the whole person and not just the physical organs. They commonly refer to the entire person as “the body”.
This means they see beyond the skin and treat your body holistically. The doctor may recommend changes in diet, exercise, or lifestyle. He may also recommend yoga and meditation, herbal supplements or massage, acupuncture treatment, or alternative medicine.
What does holistic refer to?
Holistic means whole-based. Holistic means seeing the whole picture and not just parts of it. This can be difficult because we have become accustomed to seeing things in their entirety.
We tend to think in terms of black and white. There are many shades of grey.
When working on a project, you should try to view it from multiple angles. You should look at it from all sides.
Try to understand how it fits together as a whole. How does each of its components interact with one another?
Ask yourself why you are having trouble with a particular element. Also, consider the impact of any changes that you make.
Is holistic medicine safe?
Holistic remedies are safe, as they are not dangerous drugs, but natural remedies for people who have used them for centuries.
They have been shown to cure many illnesses, such as arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, etc.
Millions of people suffer from various illnesses use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy. Chiropractic care, herbal therapies, massage therapy. yoga. meditation. Biofeedback. These therapies address the whole person instead of just the symptoms.
What does complementary medicine refer to?
Complementary Medicine, also known as alternative medicine, refers to any medical treatment which is not part of mainstream medicine. It includes treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage therapy, naturopathy, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga and others.
Complementary medicine should not be considered in isolation of conventional medicine. Because they combine Western scientific methods with other proven healing methods, they are sometimes called “alternative” and “integrative medicine.”
What are the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine?
People who feel that they are not receiving enough support from allopathic medicine can use complementary and alternate medicine (CAM). These include homeopathy, herbal medicine, massage therapy and homeopathy. Traditional Chinese medicine, biofeedback, spiritual healing, chiropractic care, homeopathy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care and other therapies. CAM practitioners often use treatments that are considered “alternative” because they do not fit into conventional medicine's system of diagnosis and treatment. Many CAM therapies include elements of conventional medicine. For example, some forms of acupuncture are performed with needles, while others involve acupressure or moxibustion with heat.
Some CAM therapies are effective in pain relief, stress management and relaxation. They can also help with fatigue and improve your overall sense of well-being. Some CAM therapies can treat certain conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel disorder, rheumatoidarthritis, cancer, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome. Other CAM treatments may be just as enjoyable.
There is no definitive definition of CAM. However, most definitions include at a minimum one of the following:
- A holistic perspective that takes into account both body, mind, spirit, and environment
- The belief that the mind and body interact and influence each other
- It is believed that illness is caused by an imbalance between the environment and the person.
- A treatment that focuses on the whole person instead of just the symptoms
- Combination of Eastern philosophy with Western science
- Mind, body, and spirit-integrated treatment methods
- Use of natural products instead of synthetic chemicals
- The healing touch
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Spiritual healing
- Biofeedback
- Nutritional counseling
- Energy healing
Certain CAM therapies have potential dangers, as well as their potential benefits. If they are not used correctly, some therapies may cause death or serious harm. Others pose potential side effects that must be weighed against their perceived benefits. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about using any CAM before deciding whether to go ahead.
Why would people with cancer choose to use other methods?
Cancer patients are often faced with many challenges when they try to find ways to cope with their illnesses. Some patients may believe they are doomed to failure or that there is no way out. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
In addition, most conventional treatments are not effective against cancer cells. Many cancer patients turn to complementary medicine for treatment. Research shows that nearly half of patients have used alternative medicine at least once in their treatment.
Sometimes, cancer patients will choose complementary medicine to chemotherapy. This is because they believe it will be easier and more effective in managing side effects. It may be because it's less expensive.
You can also use the following reasons:
Some patients believe that natural remedies can help prevent a recurrence.
Many believe natural remedies can improve quality of life.
Others believe that natural remedies may reduce the chance of getting cancer.
People who are worried about side effects of chemotherapy should consider natural remedies for first-line treatment.
Statistics
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary Health Approaches and Integrative Healthcare
- Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What's In a Name? NCCIH
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Acupuncture to Treat Insomnia
webmd.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
How To
What are the four types of complementary and alternate medicine?
There are four major types of CAM: mind-body medicine (natural products), manipulative therapies (energy healing), and manipulative therapies (natural products). Mind-body medicine covers yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki, as well as chiropractic care, homeopathy (naturopathy), biofeedback, hypnosis and hypnosis. Natural products are herbs, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements. Manipulative therapies can include physical manipulations such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and osteopathic/chiropractic care. Techniques such as prayer or visualization can be used to bring about energy healing.
CAM is a general term that covers many health practices not covered by Western medical models. These practices can be supported by scientific evidence, or they may involve surgery. They also vary in terms of the conditions they treat. Some CAM professionals also perform diagnostic testing, such as blood tests, and prescribe medication. Some practitioners do both.
There are many subcategories that fall within each of these categories. There are many subcategories within mind-body medicines, such as relaxation techniques and mindfulness training. Natural products include nutritional supplement, botanical medicines and homeopathic remedies. Manipulative therapies include manual, movement, traction, electrotherapies, cupping, stretching, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedics, and neurostimulation. Spiritual healing includes faith healing and prayer.
Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. Some chronic diseases might be relieved by CAM. When used appropriately, CAM could complement traditional treatment options.
There are many good reasons to use CAM.
- To improve their overall wellbeing.
- To manage a particular condition.
- To decrease pain or discomfort.
- To prevent illness.
- To promote wellness.
- To address a personal belief.
Some people use CAM to have more control over their own health than traditional medicine. Some people believe that CAM has less side effects. Others prefer CAM to stay away from prescription medications. Others prefer to avoid taking pharmaceuticals whenever possible. Others still seek out CAM, even though they've had bad experiences in conventional medicine.
People who use CAM often say that they want to know the basics of what they are doing before trying anything new. Many CAM users want to know more about the safety of CAM. Others rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from family and friends.
Although CAM is often viewed negatively by society, most users report positive feelings toward CAM. People who use CAM are healthier and happier than those that don't. This holds true regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income level, occupation, insurance status or any other factors.
Nearly all Americans use some kind of complementary and/or alternative medicine. 95% of adults use CAM at least once in their lives. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – NCCIH, approximately 40,000,000 visits were made to CAM providers alone in 2010.
The NCCIH estimates that 10% of the U.S. population is treated by chiropractors or massage therapists.
2013 was a year that the American Medical Association (AMA) reaffirmed its support of integrative medicine. It stated that doctors should incorporate scientifically validated complementary and alternative medicine into their clinical practice to meet patients' expectations and needs.
The Institute of Medicine published a landmark document in 2007 called “Relaxing Contraints: Improving Access To Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” This report stated that there is no evidence that any specific CAM intervention is capable of curing, preventing, or treating cancer.
CAM continues growing in popularity despite these findings. The number of CAM practitioners grew by 8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.
Recent research found that nearly half of respondents used CAM in their primary healthcare routine.
CAM therapies include natural products as well mind-body practices, manipulative technologies, energy healing methods, exercise, diet supplements and other approaches.
Many CAM therapies can be used for pain relief, but many have other benefits such as improved mood, reduced stress and increased immunity.
Acupuncture, for example, can relieve chronic back pain, lower anxiety and depression, improve immune function and promote weight loss.
Many CAM treatments have roots in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Traditional Chinese medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, originated over 5,000 years ago. This practice has been in China since antiquity.
It was not until the mid-1800s when Western science began to gain prominence, but TCM remains an important element of health care today.
Today, it's estimated that more than 70 percent of people in the United States rely on TCM for treatment.
Yoga is another popular CAM therapy. Yoga was first developed in India around 5000 B.C. and is now embraced worldwide.
Yoga has been gaining popularity with the general population because it provides many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.
Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.
Even though there are limited scientific studies, yoga appears to have positive effects upon sleep33. This may make it useful for people suffering from insomnia.
Other CAM treatments, like meditation, homeopathy and aromatherapy are also gaining acceptance in mainstream medical practice.
Herbal medicine is one of the most popular types of CAM.
Herbal medicines can include herbs, spices, plants, seeds and fruits as well as bark, leaves, roots, stems, and other medicinal substances.
They are commonly used as safer alternatives to prescription drugs and are often preferred by consumers.
The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.
The American Cancer Society reports that 45% (or more) of those diagnosed with cancer have used alternative medicines during their illness.
The National Institutes of Health has estimated that 60% of patients with breast cancer use CAM. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 50% of all cancer survivors reported using CAM.
According to a recent survey, 51% reported that they used at least one type (CAM) of CAM.
However, only 8% discussed the topic with their physicians.
This lack of communication between conventional medical providers and CAM users represents a significant gap in healthcare delivery.
–
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you're experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Dick Benson
Title: Sweet Cinco de Mayo Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/recipes-2/sweet-solutions-to-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo/
Published Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:44:01 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the opposite of holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine, a method of health care, considers all aspects, including the spiritual, emotional, and environmental aspects. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.
Doctors who practice holistic medicine believe that prevention is better than cure. They work closely with their patients to help them achieve optimal wellness.
They work to find the root cause of disease and prevent it recurring. Holistic physicians look at the whole person and not just the physical organs. They commonly refer to the entire person as “the body”.
This means they see beyond the skin and treat your body holistically. The doctor may recommend changes in diet, exercise, or lifestyle. He may also recommend yoga and meditation, herbal supplements or massage, acupuncture treatment, or alternative medicine.
What does holistic refer to?
Holistic means whole-based. Holistic means seeing the whole picture and not just parts of it. This can be difficult because we have become accustomed to seeing things in their entirety.
We tend to think in terms of black and white. There are many shades of grey.
When working on a project, you should try to view it from multiple angles. You should look at it from all sides.
Try to understand how it fits together as a whole. How does each of its components interact with one another?
Ask yourself why you are having trouble with a particular element. Also, consider the impact of any changes that you make.
Is holistic medicine safe?
Holistic remedies are safe, as they are not dangerous drugs, but natural remedies for people who have used them for centuries.
They have been shown to cure many illnesses, such as arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, etc.
Millions of people suffer from various illnesses use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy. Chiropractic care, herbal therapies, massage therapy. yoga. meditation. Biofeedback. These therapies address the whole person instead of just the symptoms.
What does complementary medicine refer to?
Complementary Medicine, also known as alternative medicine, refers to any medical treatment which is not part of mainstream medicine. It includes treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage therapy, naturopathy, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga and others.
Complementary medicine should not be considered in isolation of conventional medicine. Because they combine Western scientific methods with other proven healing methods, they are sometimes called “alternative” and “integrative medicine.”
What are the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine?
People who feel that they are not receiving enough support from allopathic medicine can use complementary and alternate medicine (CAM). These include homeopathy, herbal medicine, massage therapy and homeopathy. Traditional Chinese medicine, biofeedback, spiritual healing, chiropractic care, homeopathy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care and other therapies. CAM practitioners often use treatments that are considered “alternative” because they do not fit into conventional medicine's system of diagnosis and treatment. Many CAM therapies include elements of conventional medicine. For example, some forms of acupuncture are performed with needles, while others involve acupressure or moxibustion with heat.
Some CAM therapies are effective in pain relief, stress management and relaxation. They can also help with fatigue and improve your overall sense of well-being. Some CAM therapies can treat certain conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel disorder, rheumatoidarthritis, cancer, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome. Other CAM treatments may be just as enjoyable.
There is no definitive definition of CAM. However, most definitions include at a minimum one of the following:
- A holistic perspective that takes into account both body, mind, spirit, and environment
- The belief that the mind and body interact and influence each other
- It is believed that illness is caused by an imbalance between the environment and the person.
- A treatment that focuses on the whole person instead of just the symptoms
- Combination of Eastern philosophy with Western science
- Mind, body, and spirit-integrated treatment methods
- Use of natural products instead of synthetic chemicals
- The healing touch
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Spiritual healing
- Biofeedback
- Nutritional counseling
- Energy healing
Certain CAM therapies have potential dangers, as well as their potential benefits. If they are not used correctly, some therapies may cause death or serious harm. Others pose potential side effects that must be weighed against their perceived benefits. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about using any CAM before deciding whether to go ahead.
Why would people with cancer choose to use other methods?
Cancer patients are often faced with many challenges when they try to find ways to cope with their illnesses. Some patients may believe they are doomed to failure or that there is no way out. Patients may feel pain, nausea or fatigue. They might also experience loss of strength, lack of appetite, or feeling helpless.
In addition, most conventional treatments are not effective against cancer cells. Many cancer patients turn to complementary medicine for treatment. Research shows that nearly half of patients have used alternative medicine at least once in their treatment.
Sometimes, cancer patients will choose complementary medicine to chemotherapy. This is because they believe it will be easier and more effective in managing side effects. It may be because it's less expensive.
You can also use the following reasons:
Some patients believe that natural remedies can help prevent a recurrence.
Many believe natural remedies can improve quality of life.
Others believe that natural remedies may reduce the chance of getting cancer.
People who are worried about side effects of chemotherapy should consider natural remedies for first-line treatment.
Statistics
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary Health Approaches and Integrative Healthcare
- Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What's In a Name? NCCIH
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Acupuncture to Treat Insomnia
webmd.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
How To
What are the four types of complementary and alternate medicine?
There are four major types of CAM: mind-body medicine (natural products), manipulative therapies (energy healing), and manipulative therapies (natural products). Mind-body medicine covers yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki, as well as chiropractic care, homeopathy (naturopathy), biofeedback, hypnosis and hypnosis. Natural products are herbs, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements. Manipulative therapies can include physical manipulations such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and osteopathic/chiropractic care. Techniques such as prayer or visualization can be used to bring about energy healing.
CAM is a general term that covers many health practices not covered by Western medical models. These practices can be supported by scientific evidence, or they may involve surgery. They also vary in terms of the conditions they treat. Some CAM professionals also perform diagnostic testing, such as blood tests, and prescribe medication. Some practitioners do both.
There are many subcategories that fall within each of these categories. There are many subcategories within mind-body medicines, such as relaxation techniques and mindfulness training. Natural products include nutritional supplement, botanical medicines and homeopathic remedies. Manipulative therapies include manual, movement, traction, electrotherapies, cupping, stretching, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedics, and neurostimulation. Spiritual healing includes faith healing and prayer.
Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. Some chronic diseases might be relieved by CAM. When used appropriately, CAM could complement traditional treatment options.
There are many good reasons to use CAM.
- To improve their overall wellbeing.
- To manage a particular condition.
- To decrease pain or discomfort.
- To prevent illness.
- To promote wellness.
- To address a personal belief.
Some people use CAM to have more control over their own health than traditional medicine. Some people believe that CAM has less side effects. Others prefer CAM to stay away from prescription medications. Others prefer to avoid taking pharmaceuticals whenever possible. Others still seek out CAM, even though they've had bad experiences in conventional medicine.
People who use CAM often say that they want to know the basics of what they are doing before trying anything new. Many CAM users want to know more about the safety of CAM. Others rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from family and friends.
Although CAM is often viewed negatively by society, most users report positive feelings toward CAM. People who use CAM are healthier and happier than those that don't. This holds true regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income level, occupation, insurance status or any other factors.
Nearly all Americans use some kind of complementary and/or alternative medicine. 95% of adults use CAM at least once in their lives. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – NCCIH, approximately 40,000,000 visits were made to CAM providers alone in 2010.
The NCCIH estimates that 10% of the U.S. population is treated by chiropractors or massage therapists.
2013 was a year that the American Medical Association (AMA) reaffirmed its support of integrative medicine. It stated that doctors should incorporate scientifically validated complementary and alternative medicine into their clinical practice to meet patients' expectations and needs.
The Institute of Medicine published a landmark document in 2007 called “Relaxing Contraints: Improving Access To Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” This report stated that there is no evidence that any specific CAM intervention is capable of curing, preventing, or treating cancer.
CAM continues growing in popularity despite these findings. The number of CAM practitioners grew by 8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.
Recent research found that nearly half of respondents used CAM in their primary healthcare routine.
CAM therapies include natural products as well mind-body practices, manipulative technologies, energy healing methods, exercise, diet supplements and other approaches.
Many CAM therapies can be used for pain relief, but many have other benefits such as improved mood, reduced stress and increased immunity.
Acupuncture, for example, can relieve chronic back pain, lower anxiety and depression, improve immune function and promote weight loss.
Many CAM treatments have roots in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Traditional Chinese medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, originated over 5,000 years ago. This practice has been in China since antiquity.
It was not until the mid-1800s when Western science began to gain prominence, but TCM remains an important element of health care today.
Today, it's estimated that more than 70 percent of people in the United States rely on TCM for treatment.
Yoga is another popular CAM therapy. Yoga was first developed in India around 5000 B.C. and is now embraced worldwide.
Yoga has been gaining popularity with the general population because it provides many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.
Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.
Even though there are limited scientific studies, yoga appears to have positive effects upon sleep33. This may make it useful for people suffering from insomnia.
Other CAM treatments, like meditation, homeopathy and aromatherapy are also gaining acceptance in mainstream medical practice.
Herbal medicine is one of the most popular types of CAM.
Herbal medicines can include herbs, spices, plants, seeds and fruits as well as bark, leaves, roots, stems, and other medicinal substances.
They are commonly used as safer alternatives to prescription drugs and are often preferred by consumers.
The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.
The American Cancer Society reports that 45% (or more) of those diagnosed with cancer have used alternative medicines during their illness.
The National Institutes of Health has estimated that 60% of patients with breast cancer use CAM. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 50% of all cancer survivors reported using CAM.
According to a recent survey, 51% reported that they used at least one type (CAM) of CAM.
However, only 8% discussed the topic with their physicians.
This lack of communication between conventional medical providers and CAM users represents a significant gap in healthcare delivery.