Week One Handout for a three week class introducing Complementary and Alternative Medicine at a local Community College.

1. Please note: the informationinthishandoutisnotintendedtotreat,diagnose,orcure any illnessor
medical condition. Consultwithyourhealthcare provider(s) before makingchangestoyourwellness
regimen.
Week One Handout
Resources for More Information about the Benefits (and Risks) of Complementary and
Alternative Medicine
Below is a link to the World Health Organizations website, a very credible source that is
continually updated. The reference identified below was created in 2004 and talks about how
patients us CAM modalities to treat illnesses and how to adequately and effectively provide
information about CAM to the public. The entire document is 109 pages long, but you may
access different parts via the Table of Contents link.
World Health Organization. (2004). Guidelines on developing consumer information on proper
use of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine. Retrieved from
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js5525e/
Perhaps you have heard of NCCAM, the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine. NCCAM is now NCCIM, of the National Center for Complementary and
Integrative Medicine. This is a very powerful resource. There are hundreds of articles
accessible pertaining to the many facets of the complementary, alternative, and integrative
medicine and the scientific findings. From here, you may learn more about complementary,
alternative, and integrative practices, services, and products. Here is a hint…Week Three of this
class, we will talk about the mind body connection; you can look ahead and see what you can
find via this link!
National Institutes of Health. (2015). National Center for Complementary and Integrative
Medicine. Turning discovery into health. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/

2. Please note: the informationinthishandoutisnotintendedtotreat,diagnose,orcure any illnessor
medical condition. Consultwithyourhealthcare provider(s) before makingchangestoyourwellness
regimen.
While talking about CAM is very exciting, and experiencing CAM care can be very
rewarding, we must also talk about some of the risks associated with various CAM treatments.
Just because a treatment is considered to be “alternative” or “complementary” does not mean that
it is 100% safe, especially when used in conjunction with other CAM or conventional treatments.
This is why doing some research before partaking in new healthcare treatments is important.
Also, let all healthcare providers know of other treatments you are receiving. Below is a link
that outlines both pros and cons for CAM care.
Calabro, Sarah. (2009). Alternative Medicine Pros and Cons. Retrieved from
http://www.everydayhealth.com/alternative-health/the-basics/are-you-conisdering-
complementary-and-alternative-medicine.aspx
So you decided that you want to try some CAM modalities either as preventative
maintenance or treatment to your mind and/or body…so how do you choose where to go?
Below is a helpful government link with a few checklists of things to consider before taking the
plunge! You can search for different therapies by either a health condition you may have, or a
body part or system that seems to be giving you trouble. This website is easy to navigate and
user friendly.
Better Health Channel. (2015). Complementary therapies. Retrieved from
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Complementary_therapie
s?open
All these CAM modalities that we have been talking about all seem so exciting, but
where do you go to receive this kind of care? And of course, we don’t want to travel
exceptionally far to receive these treatments. Below you will find a few l inks to find local

3. Please note: the informationinthishandoutisnotintendedtotreat,diagnose,orcure any illnessor
medical condition. Consultwithyourhealthcare provider(s) before makingchangestoyourwellness
regimen.
chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and meditation guides that serve the 16157
area. Take time to speak with the practitioners to make sure that what you are receiving meets
your expectations and treatment goals.
Chiropractors.
Yellow Pages. (2015). Chiropractics and chiropractic services. Retrieved from
http://www.yellowpages.com/search?search_terms=Chiropractors+%26+Chiropractic+Se
rvices&geo_location_terms=16157
Massage Therapy.
Yellow Pages. (2015). Massage therapy. Retrieved from
http://www.yellowpages.com/search?search_terms=massage+therapy&geo_location_ter
ms=16157
Acupuncture.
Yellow Pages. (2015). Acupuncture. Retrieved from
http://www.yellowpages.com/search?search_terms=acupuncture&geo_location_terms=1
6157
Meditation.
Yellow Pages. (2015). Meditation training. Retrieved from
http://www.yellowpages.com/search?search_terms=meditation+training&geo_location_t
erms=16157