Complementary Medicine Formally Provided in HealthCare System Essay

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a treatment or cure that is given additionally along with doctor’s care. There are many different CAMs such as acupuncture, hypnosis, yoga, massage and herbal therapy. They are very popular in Asia, especially among Chinese communities. However, the use of CAM is very limited in the health care system of many Western countries, including Canada, due to several reasons. In my point of view, it should be formally recognized and provided as a part of mainstream health care system. Firstly, people nowadays would prefer complementary and alternative medicine rather than conventional medicine. Secondly, the altitude of healthcare professionals has changed a lot, most of young physicians are now considering the use of CAMs into their practice. Finally, the government needs to regulate some of the CAM treatments so in order to promote the use of CAMs and create a better healthcare system. To begin with, there are four types of complementary and alternative medicine, which are categorized by Tataryn based on their own approaches (Kelner, Wellman, n.d.). While the first one is called Body, which focuses on diets, herbs and manipulation, the second type concentrates on thoughts and visions, called Body Minded. Body-Energy (Kelner, Wellman, n.d.). The third type, is about acupuncture, cure by touch (Kelner, Wellman, n.d.). The last one is Body-Spirit, using faith and prayers to cure (Kelner, Wellman, n.d.). Researches are being conducted by experts to determine whether CAM is safe enough to be in use and its effectiveness. Having said that, it is never easy to conclude these benefits. Experts are having troubles with some treatments like prayer. Despite all of its limitation, Canada is still p... ...h 2014, from National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yoga/introduction.htm#hed8 Kelner, M. & Wellman, B. (2003). Complementary and Alternative Medicine: How do we know if it works. Healthcare Paper: 3(5). University of Toronto. McFarland, B., Bigelow, D., & Kaplan, M. (2002, October). Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Canada and the United States. American Journal Public Health, pp. 1616-1618. Sewitch, M. J., Cepoiu, M., Rigillo, N., & Sproule, D. (2008). A Literature Review of Health Care Professional Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine October, pp. 139-154. Ventola, C. L. (2010, August). Current Issues Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the United States. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, pp. 461-468.