6. CAM Flashcards
What is CAM?
Complementary Alternative Medicine
“ agroupofdiversem edicalandhealthcaresystem s,practices,and productsthatarenotgeneralyconsideredpartofconventional medicine”
What is Complementary or Integrative Medicine?
Refers to use of CAM + conventional medicine
What is alternative medicine?
CAM use INSTEAD of conventional medicine
What is the 5 classifications of CAM?
Alternative medical systems Mind-body interventions Biologically based therapies Manipulative and body-based methods Energy therapies
Define:
Alternative medical systems
e.g. traditional chinese medicine (TCM), ayurvedici medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, indigenous healing systems
Define:
Mind-body interventions
E.g. meditation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises, qi going, tai chi, guided imagery, biofeedback., dream therapy
Define:
Biologically based therapies
Herbal medicine Bach flower remedies bee venom therapy chelation therapy Veg juice therapy
Define:
Manipulative and body-based methods
Osteopathy Chiropractic Craniosacral therapy alexander technique acupuncture rolfing kinesiology
Define:
Energy therapies
Therapeutic touch Healingtouch reiki Magnet therapy Light therapy Crystal therapy Qi gong
How to make homeopathic preparation?
Principle of Similars i.e. like cures like
Preparations must undergo potentisation:
– Serial dilutions of a mother tincture
– Succussion
“Like cures like”
In principle, it’s just extremely diluted toxin with lots of sugar
Common homeopathic dilution?
30C dilution= 1 in 100^30
So… very very diluted i.e. not “potent”
Homeopathy on the NHS
46m spend a year across UK
4m in scotland
Risks associated with homeopathy?
Direct harm
– No risk of interactions with ‘high potency’ medicines
Indirect harm
– Delay in receiving appropriate treatment
– Attitudes of practitioner when dealing with prescribed meds
• Immunisation (75/77 against – Ernst & Schmidt 2002)
• Malaria (10/10 – Singh & Tuff 2006)
Regulations around homeopathy?
NO LEGAL REGULATION of homeopaths in the UK
– Society of Homeopaths
– Faculty of Homeopathy
– British Homeopathic Association
BUT Homeopathic products regulated by EU directive i.e. you have to make meds to same standards are other drugs
What’s the difference between herbal and homeopathic?
Herbal contains an activate ingredient, homeopathic doesn’t
Considerations of St John’s Wort (hypericum)?
Benefits:
Improves outcomes for major depressive patients
Drawbacks: Interactions with other drugs e.g. – Hormonal contraceptives – Anti-depressives – Anti-coagulants – Anti-epilepsy agents – Heart medications etc etc
Risks associated with herbal meds?
Direct harm
– Adverse drug reactions
– Drug interactions
– Quality control
Indirect harm
– Delay in receiving appropriate treatment
Regulation of herbal medicine?
MHRA regulates herbal medicines in the UK market
1. Safety, quality, efficacy as per any regular medicine
• Marketing Authorisation (MA)
2. Safety & quality (not efficacy) based on traditional usage
• Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration (THR) i.e. proof of 30yrs of use, not efficacy
3. The “herbalist exemption”
• Regulation 3 of The Human Medicines Regulations 2012
Basically no evidence of efficacy and safety required
Manipulative therapy e.g.
Chiropractic and osteopathic therapy
Chiropractic practice, what is it?
Treatment of joint malalignment esp spinal cord that can relieve symptoms associated with nerves, organs and muscles
Osteopathy, define?
Complementary medicine by manipulation of the skeleton and musculature
What is the process of chiropractice?
Detection of ‘subluxations’
- Block the flow of innate intelligence
- Use of x-rays and gadgets
Spinal manipulations (adjustments)
- Including high-velocity, low-amp thrusts
- WITH an audible crack
Risk of chiropractic and osteopathy?
Direct harm
– 50% of chiropractic patients suffer an adverse reaction
– Tearing of artery wall leading to stroke
– Injury to the spinal cord
– Chiropractic X rays
Indirect harm
– Delay in receiving appropriate treatment
– Attitudes of practitioner
Regulation of chiropractic and osteopathy?
Only two CAM modalities under statutory regulation
– General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
– General Osteopathic Council (GOsC
TIGHTER REGULATION
