CAM

Question 1

What is the integrative medical care movement?

Answer 1

Combine best evidence in both CAM and Western medicine for delivery of optimal care

Question 2

What are whole medical systems in CAM?

Answer 2

Naturopathic medicine, homeopathic, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

Question 3

What is mind-body medicine?

Answer 3

Meditation, prayer, mental healing, artistic outlets

Question 4

What are biologically-based products?

Answer 4

Herbs, food, vitamins, supplements

Most common in pharmacy practice

Question 5

What are manipulative and body-based practices?

Answer 5

Chiropractic, osteopathic manipulation, massage

Question 6

What is energy medicine?

Answer 6

Biogield therapies (Qi Gong, Reiki), Bioelectromagnetic-based therapy (pulsed and magnetic fields)

Question 7

What is the benefit of regulating health professions and allowing self-governance?

Answer 7

Know that profession has education and training; increases legitimacy; protects public, provides ethics, etc.
Self-governed professions have the knowledge to self-govern but still are accountable to the government

Question 8

What is naturopathy?

Answer 8

Promotes wellness and prevention of illness/disease
Primary care that works to identify the root cause of illness
Supports the body’s own healing ability using: acupuncture, botanical medicines, physical medicines (massage), homeopathic medicines, lifestyle counselling)

Question 9

What are the main principles of naturopathy?

Answer 9

First, do no harm
Treat cause of disease, rather than suppress symptoms
Teach principles of healthy living and preventative medicine
Heal the whole person through individualized treatment
Emphasize prevention
Support healing power of the body

Question 10

What is the difference between a naturopath and a medical doctor?

Answer 10

1) Emphasis on prevention (Reactive vs. Preventative)
2) Search for and treat cause of illness (not just symptoms)
3) Individualized treatment (same illness may need different treatment in different people)
4) Goal of removing obstacles to body’s own innate healing processes (as opposed to idea that “cure” must come from external sources)

Question 11

What is chiropractic?

Answer 11

Drug-free, manual approach focused on diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, with emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine

Question 12

What is massage therapy?

Answer 12

Intentional and systematic manipulation of soft tissues to affect musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous system with aim of aiding body’s ability to heal itself

Question 13

Mechanisms of massage?

Answer 13

Mechanical (compress/stretch tissue)
Physiologic (cell, tissue changes)
Reflex (pressure on tissue affecting another body part)
Mind-body (interactions between immunity, physiology, health, disease)
Energy (change in body’s flow of energy)

Question 14

What is traditional Chinese medicine?

Answer 14

Based on philosophical world views of Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism
Emphasizes importance of Qi - vital energy manifested physically, mentally, spiritually

Question 15

Are Naturopaths regulated? In Alberta? What are their reserved titles?

Answer 15

• Regulated in BC, AB, ONT
• Education = minimum 3 years at university, 4 years at college, 1200 supervised clinical hours, complete NPLEX
• Reserved titles = Naturopathic doctor/physician (ND), doctor of NP medicine (NMD), drugless physician/healer

Question 16

Are chiropractors regulated? Education? Reserved titles?

Answer 16

• Yes all provinces and Yukon
• 3 years university, 4 years accredited school, internship, exam
• Doctor of chiropractic (DC)

Question 17

Are massage therapists regulated? Education? Reserved titles?

Answer 17

• Regulated in BC, NFL, ON, AB
• Most provinces adhere to minimum standards set out by Canadian Massage therapists
• Member of association/college that belongs to CMTA; provincial licensing exam
• Registered massage therapist (RMT), massage practitioner, massotherapeute

Question 18

What are some TCM treatments?

Answer 18

• Acupuncture, moxibustion (burn mugwort, facilitates healing), acupressure, tuina, cupping, herbal remedies, dietary interventions

Question 19

Are TCM regulated? In Alberta? Education? Reserved titles?

Answer 19

• Regulated in ON, BC but NOT in AB
• 2 years at university, complete accredited TCM program, take exam for license
• Registered TCM practitioner (R. TCM. P); registered TCM herbologist (R. TCM. H); doctor of TCM (DTCM)

Question 20

What is acupuncture? Are they regulated in Alberta? Education? Titles?

Answer 20

• Insert solid filiform needles into skin at specific points to achieve therapeutic effect
• Electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, auricular acupuncture, acupressure, shiatsu
• Acupuncturists are regulated in AB
• 2 years at university and then 2-3 years at accredited program and licensing exam (other HCP can receive acupuncture certification as well)
• Registered acupuncturist (RAc); acupunteur

Question 21

What is homeopathy?

Answer 21

• “Like cures like” - disease can be cured by substance that produces similar symptoms in health people
• “Law of minimum dose” - notion that the lower the dose, the greater its effectiveness (often so dilute that no molecules of substance remain)
• Treatments individually tailored

Question 22

Are homeopaths regulated? What education do they need? What are their reserved titles?

Answer 22

• Ontario is only province to attempt regulation
• Need 3 years at college and optional 1 year post-grad to be awarded fellowship designation (FCHM); clinical internship (program can be accelerated for physicians (MD, ND, DC, DO) to a two year diploma)
• Reserved titles are homeopath or homeopathic doctor (unregulated provinces)