This tool introduces you to a number of CAM practices.

1. Complimentary and
Alternative Medicine
Written by: Evelyn Corsini, MSW
Reviewed by: Synne Wing, MSW, November 2015

2. ➢Complementary and alternative medicine practices (often called
CAM), are a group of medical practices and products that are not part
of conventional medicine, but often are used to support conventional
medical approaches.
➢Complementary medicine practices are used together with
conventional types of medicine and treatments.
➢Alternative medicine practices are used instead of conventional
medicine to replace it.

3. This tool introduces you to a number of different CAM practices
Remember, if you are involved with CAM treatment, or are considering
if CAM is right for you, always talk with your health care provider.

4. Manipulative Body Based

5. Manipulative and body-based practices deal with the structure and
systems of the body. They include:
➢CHIROPRACTIC
➢MASSAGE

6. Chiropractic
How does it work?
➢Chiropractic treatment involves manipulation of the spine. It is used
to treat musculoskeletal problems (muscles, joints, bones, and
connective tissue), and alleviate muscle tension or pain in the
shoulder, neck and back caused by stress.

7. Chiropractic
Research suggests
➢Chiropractic is most often used to treat musculoskeletal conditions -
problems with the muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue such
as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
➢Research has shown it to be an effective short-term treatment for
low back pain.

8. Chiropractic
Keep in mind
➢Chiropractic treatment for some types of pain is controversial and
should be discussed with your doctor before beginning treatment
➢There is risk of complications with manipulation of the neck
➢Check the credentials and training experience of any chiropractic
provider. In all U.S. states providers are required to be licensed to
practice.

9. Massage
How does it work?
➢Massage is the manipulation of skin, muscles and joints (usually by
hand) to relax muscle spasms, relieve tension, and improve
circulation. It also stretches connective tissue and improves
ciruclation. Various techniques include Femoral Massage, Myofascial
Release, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Wurn Technique.

10. Massage
Research suggests
➢Some report benefits of massage include:
➢Reduced anxiety and depression
➢Improved alertness
➢Relief from insomnia
➢Improved blood circulation
➢Reduced muscle tension
➢Improved digestive function
➢Relief from pain
➢Improved immune function

11. Massage
Keep in mind
➢Currently, just over half of the states in the US regulate massage
therapists.
➢These techniques should only be performed by a trained massage or
physical therapist.

12. Biologically Based

13. Biologically-based CAM practices use substances that people can eat
or drink, like herbs, vitamins and minerals, and dietary supplements.
Including:
➢HERBS
➢VITAMINS, MINERALS, & DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

14. Herbs
How does it work?
➢A variety of herbs and dietary supplements are used to treat
symptoms related to pain and stress. Some such herbs include
capsaicin, devil's claw, feverfew, ginger extract, curcumin, and willow
bark.

15. Herbs
Research suggests
➢Several herbs have been shown to have positive effects on
osteoarthritis, migraine, back pain, and neuropathic pain.
➢Although herbs are increasingly popular, minimal research has been
done with herbs in the field of pain management and the results are
mixed

16. Herbs
Keep in mind
➢Herbs are not FDA regulated or tested, and no safety determination
has been made about these substances prior to marketing. It is very
important to check for the potential of bad interactions when taking
herbs while taking medications. Talk to your physician or pharmacist
before starting.

17. Mind-body Medicine

18. Mind-body medicine looks at how the mind and the body work together:
the powerful ways that feelings, thoughts, friendships, spiritual beliefs, and
behaviors can directly affect health. These include:
➢Biofeedback
➢Cognitive behavior therapy
➢Hypnosis
➢Meditation
➢Tai Chi
➢Visual Imagery
➢Yoga

19. Biofeedback
How does it work?
➢This technique uses sensitive instruments, like electrical sensors, to
measure, amplify, and provide feedback on physiological responses,
such as muscle tension, pulse rate, and body temperature, related to
stress.
➢Biofeedback teaches you to regulate these physiological processes
through relaxation. You can eventually learn to do it on your own.

20. Biofeedback
Research suggests
➢Studies are looking at biofeedback for headache, migraine, and back
pain.
➢Biofeedback has been found effective in treating anxiety,
hypertension, headache, muscle tension, migraines, and insomnia.
➢Studies have shown that the majority of people with panic and
anxiety disorders who underwent biofeedback saw improvement.

21. Biofeedback
Keep in mind
➢Biofeedback therapists can be found in a number of health care
fields, including medicine, psychology, social work, physical and
occupational therapy, and nursing.
➢Biofeedback poses no direct health risks
➢Seek treatment with an experienced professional trained in this
technique

22. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
How does it work?
➢Cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) are used to help people
change self-defeating and irrational patterns of thought, to plan
ahead, and to better problem solve.
➢Cognitive restructuring teaches one to examine negative thought
patterns, evaluate the truth of these thoughts, and, if they are not
true, correct them.

23. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Research suggests
➢CBT has been shown to:
➢Address psychological components of pain: feelings, coping skills and
sense of control
➢Reduce pain and disability
➢Decrease headaches and medication use
➢Reduce stress-related physical and emotional symptoms
➢Increase understanding of one's own and other people's behavior

24. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Keep in mind
➢Clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and social workers are the
primary practitioners of these techniques
➢Ask whether the CBT provider is certified or licensed and check the
validity of their credentials

25. Hypnosis
How does it work?
➢Hypnosis is a suggestion technique that alters one's state of
consciousness by concentrating on an object, image, or task. All other
stimuli are blocked out. The goal is to create a natural, relaxed state of
extreme focus and attention, in which the human mind can most
easily accept suggestion that may improve an aspect of one's life,
including physical health.

26. Hypnosis
Research suggests
➢The National Institutes of Health has endorsed the use of hypnosis in
combination with conventional medical care in a variety of chronic
pain conditions:
❖Chronic migraines
❖Hypertension
❖Immune problems
❖Ulcers
❖Anxiety and depression

27. Hypnosis
Keep in mind
➢Check the hypnotist's credentials, reputation and training before you
undergo hypnosis.
➢While research on the benefits of hypnosis is extensive, it is difficult
to generalize results to other medical conditions.

28. Meditation
How does it work?
➢Meditation is a conscious mental process using techniques such as
focusing attention or maintaining a specific posture, in order to
suspend the stream of thought and relax the body.

29. Meditation
Research suggests
➢Meditation can produce physiologic changes that may reduce the
body’s inflammatory response mechanism
➢Studies have shown that meditation helps relive anxiety and
depression.
➢Meditation may be used to reduce muscle tension, stress, anxiety,
insomnia, high blood pressure, and some types of chronic pain.

30. Meditation
Keep in mind
➢Check the credentials of any instructor you may use.
➢Increasingly, pain management clinics are incorporating meditation
into their patient services.

31. Tai Chi
How does it work?
➢Tai Chi is sometimes called “moving meditation.” People using Tai Chi
move their bodies slowly and gently, and with awareness, while
breathing deeply.

32. Tai Chi
Research suggests
➢Scientific research is ongoing. Studies have focused on the elderly
using Tai Chi as a way to prevent falls and improve cardiovascular
fitness and overall well-being.
➢Tai Chi has been studied to see if it enhances the immune system and
lowers blood pressure.

33. Tai Chi
Keep in mind
➢Tai Chi is relatively safe.
➢As with any exercise, overdoing can cause sore muscles.
➢Instructors are not licensed or regulated.

34. Visual imagery
How does it work?
➢Visual imagery, also called guided imagery, uses the imagination to
create vivid images that the body can perceive and respond to. This
technique can ease stress and increase relaxation.

35. Visual imagery
Research suggests
➢Visual imagery can produce physiologic changes that may reduce the
body’s inflammatory response mechanism.
➢Visual imagery has been frequently used to help people receiving
chemotherapy for cancer, dialysis for kidney failure, and other
treatments that can be experienced as uncomfortable or painful.

36. Visual imagery
Keep in mind
➢Check the credentials of any instructor you may use.
➢Increasingly, mental health providers and nurses in pain management
clinics are incorporating visual imagery into their patient services.

37. Yoga
How does it work?
➢There are many different styles of yoga, originating in India. Typically
yoga styles combine physical postures, breathing techniques and
meditation.

38. Yoga
Research suggests
➢The National Institutes of Health is currently studying the benefits of
yoga in a number of clinical trials. Research suggests that yoga might:
❖Improve mood and sense of well-being
❖Counteract stress
❖Positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals

39. Yoga
Keep in mind
➢Yoga is one of the top 10 CAM modalities used in the U.S. It is
generally considered safe.
➢Standards for yoga teacher training and certification vary.

40. Energy Medicine

41. Manipulative and body-based practices deal with the structure and
systems of the body. These include:
➢ACUPUNCTURE
➢HEALING TOUCH
➢QI GONG
➢REIKI

42. Acupuncture
How does it work?
➢This ancient Chinese practice in which needles are inserted near
pressure points associated with certain nerves may play a role in
some health issues, including chronic pain. According to traditional
Chinese medicine acupuncture improves the flow of qi (“chee”), or
energy, throughout the body. The actual process is not fully
understood.

43. Acupuncture
Research suggests
➢A few studies, with limited samples, suggest acupuncture alone or
with complementary therapies is associated with improvement in
severity of chronic pain.
➢Acupuncture when migraine symptoms first begin may be as effective
as other leading treatments.
➢Acupuncture may reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.

44. Acupuncture
Keep in mind
➢Negative effects are relatively uncommon, buy may include slight
pricks and/or skin irritation, or in very rare cases punctured organs if
not delivered properly.
➢Be sure to use a licensed practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine
or a medical doctor who is trained in acupuncture.
➢Acupuncture should be only one part of the comprehensive medical
treatment.

45. Healing touch
How does it work?
➢Healing touch, sometimes called therapeutic touch may be a light
physical touch or sweeping hand motion over the body. It’s goal is for
the practitioner to use their own energy to identify the patient’s
energy imbalance, and to correct this imbalance to promote health.

46. Healing touch
Research suggests
➢Some practitioners of healing touch may touch the body, but most do
not, since they are working with the body’s energy fields.
➢This approach is increasingly used but largely unproven.
➢There is no evidence that healing touch has a positive effect on
chronic pain.

47. Healing Touch
Keep in mind
➢There are no known risks with healing touch.
➢The use of healing touch is the subject of ongoing research.

48. Qi Gong
How does it work?
➢Qi Gong is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that
combines movement, meditation, and controlled breathing, with the
goals of improving blood flow and energy flow.

49. Qi Gong
Research suggests
➢Qi Gong is largely unproven or experimental.
➢There is no evidence to suggest that Qi Gong has a positive effect on
chronic pain.

50. Qi Gong
Keep in mind
➢There are no known risks with Qi Gong.
➢There is ongoing research being done on its use.

51. Reiki
How does it work?
➢Reiki practitioners seek to transmit universal energy to the patient.
They do this from a distance, or from placing their hands on or near
the person. Their goal is to heal the spirit which in turn will heal the
body.

52. Reiki
Research suggests
➢Some reiki practitioners may touch the body but most do not.
➢Reiki is largely unproven.
➢There is no evidence to suggest that Reiki has a positive effect on
chronic pain.

53. Reiki
Keep in mind
➢There are no known risks with Reiki, and research into its usefulness
is ongoing.