What Is CAM?
There are many terms used to describe approaches to health care that are
outside the realm of conventional medicine as practiced in the United States.
This fact sheet explains how the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of
Health, defines some of the key terms used in the field of complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM). Terms that are underlined in the text are defined at
the end of this fact sheet.
What is CAM?
CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and
products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.
Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical
doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health
professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses.
Some health care providers practice both CAM and conventional medicine. While
some scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are
key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific
studies—questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they
work for the diseases or medical conditions for which they are used.
The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies
that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional
health care and as new approaches to health care emerge.
Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine
different from each other?
Yes, they are different.
• Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An
example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a
patient’s discomfort following surgery.
• Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example
of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of
undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been
recommended by a conventional doctor.
What is integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there
is some high-quality evidence of safety and effectiveness. It is also called integrated medicine.
What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine?
NCCAM groups CAM practices into four domains, recognizing there can be some overlap. In
addition, NCCAM studies CAM whole medical systems, which cut across all domains.
Whole Medical Systems
Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these
systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in
the United States. Examples of whole medical systems that have developed in Western
cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that
have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Mind-Body Medicine
Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind’s capacity to
affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past
have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral
therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer,
mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
Biologically Based Practices
Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and
vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, herbal products, and the use of other
so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark
cartilage to treat cancer).
Manipulative and Body-Based Practices
Manipulative and body-based practices in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement
of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic
manipulation and massage.
Energy Medicine
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:
• Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and
penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically
proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or
manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include
qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.
• Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic
fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.
What is NCCAM’s role in the field of CAM?
NCCAM is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on CAM. NCCAM’s
mission is to explore complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of
rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative information to the
public and professionals.
Definitions
Acupuncture (“AK-yoo-pungk-cher”) is a method of healing developed in China at least 2,000
years ago. Today, acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of
anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture
incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture
technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin,
solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
Aromatherapy (“ah-roam-uh-THER-ah-py”) involves the use of essential oils (extracts or
essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.
Ayurveda (“ah-yur-VAY-dah”) is a CAM whole medical system that has been practiced
primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years. Ayurveda includes diet and herbal
remedies and emphasizes the use of body, mind, and spirit in disease prevention and
treatment.
Chiropractic (“kie-roh-PRAC-tic”) is a CAM whole medical system. It focuses on the
relationship between bodily structure (primarily that of the spine) and function, and how that
relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractors use manipulative
therapy as an integral treatment tool.
Dietary supplements. Congress defined the term “dietary supplement” in the Dietary
Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. A dietary supplement is a product
(other than tobacco) taken by mouth that contains a “dietary ingredient” intended to
supplement the diet. Dietary ingredients may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other
botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, and metabolites.
Dietary supplements come in many forms, including extracts, concentrates, tablets, capsules,
gel caps, liquids, and powders. They have special requirements for labeling. Under DSHEA,
dietary supplements are considered foods, not drugs.
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs, also called electric and magnetic fields) are invisible lines of
force that surround all electrical devices. The Earth also produces EMFs; electric fields are
produced when there is thunderstorm activity, and magnetic fields are believed to be produced
by electric currents flowing at the Earth’s core.
Homeopathic (“home-ee-oh-PATH-ic”) medicine is a CAM whole medical system. In
homeopathic medicine, there is a belief that “like cures like,” meaning that small, highly
diluted quantities of medicinal substances are given to cure symptoms, when the same
substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms.
Massage (“muh-SAHJ”) therapists manipulate muscle and connective tissue to enhance
function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being.
Naturopathic (“nay-chur-o-PATH-ic”) medicine, or naturopathy, is a CAM whole medical
system. Naturopathic medicine proposes that there is a healing power in the body that
establishes, maintains, and restores health. Practitioners work with the patient with a goal of
supporting this power, through treatments such as nutrition and lifestyle counseling, dietary
supplements, medicinal plants, exercise, homeopathy, and treatments from traditional
Chinese medicine.
Osteopathic (“ahs-tee-oh-PATH-ic”) medicine is a form of conventional medicine that, in part,
emphasizes diseases arising in the musculoskeletal system. There is an underlying belief that
all of the body’s systems work together, and disturbances in one system may affect function
elsewhere in the body. Some osteopathic physicians practice osteopathic manipulation, a fullbody
system of hands-on techniques to alleviate pain, restore function, and promote health
and well-being.
Qi gong (“chee-GUNG”) is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that combines
movement, meditation, and regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of qi (an ancient term
given to what is believed to be vital energy) in the body, improve blood circulation, and
enhance immune function.
Reiki (“RAY-kee”) is a Japanese word representing Universal Life Energy. Reiki is based on the
belief that when spiritual energy is channeled through a Reiki practitioner, the patient’s spirit
is healed, which in turn heals the physical body.
Therapeutic Touch is derived from an ancient technique called laying-on of hands. It is based
on the premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient’s recovery;
healing is promoted when the body’s energies are in balance; and, by passing their hands over
the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the current name for an ancient system of health care
from China. TCM is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy,
that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi is proposed to regulate a person’s spiritual,
emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin
(negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi
being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among the components of TCM are
herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and
remedial massage.
Updated February 2007 D347
For More Information
Sources of NCCAM Information
NCCAM Clearinghouse
The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on CAM and NCCAM, including publications and
searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. Examples of publications include
“Selecting a CAM Practitioner” and “Are You Considering Using CAM?” The Clearinghouse does not
provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
Web site: nccam.nih.gov
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
Sources of Information on Dietary Supplements
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), NIH
ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating
scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public. Its
resources include publications and the International Bibliographic Information on Dietary
Supplements database.
Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov
E-mail: ods@nih.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Web site: www.cfsan.fda.gov
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-723-3366
Information includes “Tips for the Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed Decisions and
Evaluating Information” (www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-savvy.html) and updated safety information
on supplements (www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-warn.html). If you have experienced an adverse effect
from a supplement, you can report it to the FDA’s MedWatch program, which collects and monitors
such information (1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch).
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain.
Duplication is encouraged.
NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute
for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage
you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The
mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.
National Institutes of Health
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
