We all use complementary and alternative medicine and therapies daily. When we are having a bad day, and need a mood booster, one of our first instincts is to plug our headphones in and tune out the world. If life becomes stressful, we might book an appointment at the spa or go for a long walk. When we have trouble sleeping and counting sheep stops working for us, we may use lavender scents to help calm our nerves and relax us. While we may not actively think of these actions as alternative therapies, these techniques fall under the category of complementary and alternative medicine and therapies, and they play a major role in how we act during times of adverse health and distress. Forms of complementary and alternative medicine include mind medicine, diet and herbs, and traditional alternative medicine (“Types”.) However, some people support almost exclusive use of conventional medicine. They claim that conventional medicine has been researched for many years, presenting the threats and benefits of conventional medicine (Olver and Robotin). On the other end of the spectrum, some argue for the superiority of nonconventional practices, often pointing to how these have been around for generations in various cultures (Olver and Robotin). The patient’s viewpoints differ between “evidence-based medicine” and the understanding of “singular personal experience of illness” (Olver and Robotin). Ultimately, both sides present important points for their treatments and thus cautious use of both complementary and alternative medicine is the optimal form of treatment. 

Although complementary and alternative medicines do not have scientific explanations, many patients choose to use complementary medicines as a part of their treatment. In the United States, a study was conducted on the “use of complementary medicines by patients with cancer during their treatment” (Olver and Robotin). The study found that 91% of cancer patients used at least one form of complementary and alternative medicine (Olver and Robotin). The most popular forms of complementary medicine for cancer patients were prayer, relaxation, exercise, and meditation (Olver and Robotin). In various studies, research showed that breast and prostate cancer patients who practiced meditation daily had significantly reduced stress levels associated with cancer (Olver and Robotin). The cancer patients also experienced an improvement in their quality of life and sleep (Olver and Robotin). Cancer patients undergo tremendous amounts of pain, but meditation is proven to reduce the perception of pain in cancer patients by as much as 50% (Olver and Robotin). Various studies from the University of Maryland of California Los Angeles, Yale University of Maryland, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins have reported that meditation helps relieve anxiety and depression and improve overall well-being (Walton). A review study at Johns Hopkins observed the relationship between “mindfulness meditation and its ability to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain” (Walton). Results showed that the effect size of meditation was 0.3, which is the same effect size for antidepressants (Walton). This data supports the notion that meditation serves as a legitimate method of reducing depression, anxiety, and pain. Along with relieving anxiety and depression, meditation helps preserve the aging brain, reduces activity in the default mode network, lead to volume changes in key areas of the brain, and can help with addiction (Walton). David Spiegel, a professor in the School of Medicine and Associate Chairman of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University of Maryland, conducted a meditation and psychosocial support study which found that patients who meditated lived longer than those who chose not to meditate (Spiegel). Although complementary and alternative medicines often lack scientific explanations for their effectiveness, it is evident that alternative therapies help make people feel better and can even improve mental and physiological health. From the various studies, it is apparent that the patients who chose to use alternative therapies alongside conventional medicines and treatments had reduced stress levels and an improvement of their overall well-being (Olver and Robotin). 

One such alternative therapy is yoga. Yoga is considered a mind-body therapy which “connects the body, breath, and mind to energize and balance the whole person” using postures, breathing, and meditation to improve one’s overall well-being (University of Maryland). Yoga has been practiced for over 2000 years and traditionally considered a way of life which leads one to spiritual enlightenment (University of Maryland). Typically, there are eight dimensions of yoga, including breathing, postures, restraint, healthy observances, sensory withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and higher consciousness (University of Maryland). Those who practice yoga say that it reduces stress and releases endorphins, natural painkillers, and “feel good” brain chemicals (University of Maryland). Scientific studies have shown that yoga can lower one’s heart rate and blood pressure, increase muscle relaxation, and increase breathing capacity (University of Maryland). Yoga uses three methods: breathing, exercise, and meditation to improve one’s health (University of Maryland). Pranayama, or breathwork, increases blood flow and decreases oxygen consumption which transports more oxygen to the brain and improves the way the body utilizes oxygen (University of Maryland). The exercise component of yoga boosts strength, flexibility, and balance (University of Maryland). Meditation, another form of complementary and alternative medicine, silences the mind causing physical and emotional relaxation, reducing blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety, and cholesterol levels (University of Maryland). However, because yoga is considered a therapy, it cannot and should not be used to cure diseases (University of Maryland). Instead, yoga is a form of complementary and alternative therapy that may be used in addition to conventional medicine to treat health conditions (University of Maryland). This dual-approach of using both conventional and alternative medicines thus utilizes more facets of improving a person’s health than simply one method alone.

An additional form of complementary therapy, which shares much in common with yoga, is tai chi. Tai chi, sometimes referred to as “moving meditation,” integrates slow movements and postures and controlled breathing and meditation to reduce stress and treat various health conditions (Olver and Robotin). Cancer patients who have used tai chi have reported that it has improved quality of life, mood, flexibility, and balance (Olver and Robotin). Tai chi can be useful for heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, headaches, sleep disorders, and asthma (University of Maryland). Tai chi is beneficial to the immune system and the central nervous system, ultimately helping those with chronic illnesses, anxiety, viral infections, or depression (University of Maryland). Tai chi consists of three major components including movement, meditation, and deep breathing (University of Maryland). Because the movements in tai chi are low-impact and without weights, it strengthens bones and slows down bone loss in addition to enriching balance, agility, strength, flexibility, stamina, muscle tone, and coordination (University of Maryland). The element of meditation calms the mind, improves concentration, reduces anxiety, and lowers blood pressure and heart rate (University of Maryland). The deep breathing in tai chi increases lung capacity, stretches the muscles involved in breathing, releases tension, enhance blood circulation to the brain, and boosts mental alertness (University of Maryland). Like yoga, tai chi is not meant to replace medical care, but to improve the overall well-being of one’s self.

Complementary therapies do not revolve around physical movement either. Music therapy is one such example. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is defined as the “clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional.”  Music therapy has been around for centuries, even as old as Aristotle and Plato’s writings (American Music). After World War I and World War II, musicians around communities went to war Veterans hospitals to play for the veterans suffering from both physical and emotional distress (American Music). The hospital patients evoked notable responses to the music, causing the doctors and nurses to hire musicians to play at the hospitals (American Music). Music therapy aids in the emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals (American Music). First, the qualified professional evaluates the individual and then proceeds to use music as a form of treatment (American Music). Using music therapy as a treatment includes creating, singing, moving to and/or listening to music (American Music). Music therapy can help those with Alzheimer’s disease, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain (American Music). Music therapy can also help individuals use music as a form of communication for those who find it difficult to express themselves in words (American Music). The American Music Therapy Association has done an immense amount of research exploring how beneficial and effective music therapy is (American Music). This research points to the real benefits people have received from incorporating alternative therapies into their lives.

In addition to these forms of complementary practices and therapies are alternative medicines. One form of complementary and alternative medicine is herbal medicine. Also called botanical medicine, herbal medicine has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries as a tradition outside of conventional medicine (“Herbal”). Using a plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medical treatment is considered herbal medicine )“Herbal”). Herbal medicine is sold in stores in many different forms including teas, syrups oils, liquids, extracts, tinctures, and capsules (“Herbal”). The Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings depict how plants were used for medicinal purposes in 3,000 BC (“Herbal”). African and Native American cultures utilized herbs for healing rituals, while the Chinese established customary medical systems (“Herbal”). Herbal medicine has become more popular because advancements have been made in clinical research and quality control (“Herbal”). These improvements reveal the significance of herbal medicine in treating and preventing illnesses (“Herbal”). The World Health Organization estimated 80% of the worldwide population, and one-third of the American population, include herbal medicines in their primary health care (“Herbal”). Herbs can be used to treat various conditions and may have fewer side effects than conventional medications when used correctly (“Herbal”). Although herbal medicine is still not widely accepted, the subject matter is being taught in more medical and pharmacy schools (“Herbal”). When chemical analysis became obtainable in the early 19th century, scientists started removing and altering the active ingredients from plants (“Herbal”). As time progressed, scientists created their own version of plant compounds, decreasing the use of herbal medicines in favor of drugs (“Herbal”). This proves that conventional and orthodox medicine has been derived from botanical medicine and herbal medicine was the original form of medical treatment (“Herbal”). The fact that medical professionals extracted and imitated compounds in plants shows that natural substances have the potential to cause medicinal effects. Thus, for someone to say that herbal remedies have no ability to create legitimate relief or improvement in a patient would be to deny the origins and bases of these proven, modern medicines.  

Also, complementary and alternative medicines often have very strong cultural and regional roots. A prominent example of this is Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine can refer to acupuncture, Chinese massage, Chinese herbal medicine, or even exercise used as therapy such as taiji or quigong (Olver and Robotin). Chinese medicine is defined as “a system of medicine partly based on the idea that an energy, called qi, flows along pathways in the body called meridians” (“Traditional”). Illnesses may occur if the flow of qi becomes unbalanced or blocked due to external forces such as cold or heat, internal forces such as emotions of joy and anger, or lifestyle factors such as poor diet or too little sleep (“Traditional”). A familiar concept, yin and yang, is also a component of Chinese medicine (“Traditional”). In the yin and yang approach, the body is said to be composed of both yin and yang, and our health depends on how balanced these forces are (“Traditional”). If the yin-yang balance is not maintained, our health will deteriorate and be more prone to illness (“Traditional”). Doctors who practice traditional Chinese medicine inspect the balance of body, mind, and spirit to decide how to restore the qi, yin-yang balance, and good health (“Traditional”). For instance, a century year old Chinese herb, artemisia, has been used for a variety of scenarios (Olver and Robotin). Artemisia has been used to treat malaria and balance yin and yang (Olver and Robotin). Chinese herbs have also been tweaked specifically for the state of the patients to boost qi, harmonize qi, reinforce blood, reinforce yang, nourish yin, invigorate the flow of blood, or stop bleeding from occurring (Olver and Robotin). Other Chinese herbs have been used to promote urination or regulate digestion (Olver and Robotin). Not only is Chinese medicine a way of curing diseases, but it is a way to help prevent disease, build up qi, and support a healthy mental state of being (Olver and Robotin). Many materia medica ingredients, or healing materials, serve as food substances such as ginger (Olver and Robotin). In Chinese medicine, it is rare to consume it as a single substance so it is more common to mix ginger with several ingredients to obtain the full benefit (Olver and Robotin). This leads to the conclusion that testing fixed medicines is challenging (Olver and Robotin). Although Chinese alternative medicine often centers around nonconventional ways of thinking of the body such as through qi and yin-yang balance, it incorporates many well accepted practices. Chinese medicine advocates mindfulness which was shown above to be a documented way to improve physical health. Additionally, Chinese herbal remedies may incorporate plants that have compounds that create chemical effects in the body which may even be utilized in conventional medicine. Therefore, the existence of qi or a yin-yang balance in the body is not necessary for Chinese medical practices to have actual effects. Chinese medicine, when used thoughtfully and cautiously, can be beneficial to human health.

Chinese medicine indicates a wide range of medical practices that vary greatly in their reliance on beliefs in qi and yin-yang balances. At one end of the spectrum are practices such as reiki. Reiki is the practice of placing one’s hands lightly on or just above the person to accelerate the person’s own healing response (National Center). The meaning of Reiki is “universal life energy” (International Association). Reiki is based on an Eastern belief that energy supports the body’s innate and natural healing abilities, although there is no scientific evidence (National Center). Reiki’s goal is to strengthen the energy flow through blocked or unbalanced pathways (International Association). As a result of the strengthened energy flow, the patient’s pain will decrease and have an enhanced ability to fight illness and heal itself (International Association). Although Reiki can be used as a stress reduction technique, cancer patients have become more interested in this form of complementary and alternative medicine (International Association).  Several groups of scientists have researched Reiki and have concluded with the uncertainty that Reiki is helpful (National Center). Other studies have shown that Reiki can enhance cancer treatments and provide various benefits to patients undergoing the stresses of cancer (International Association). Ultimately, it is suggested that Reiki not be used to replace conventional medicine because of uncertainty of its validity (National Center). At the other end of the spectrum is one of the most studied form of Chinese treatment - acupuncture (Traditional). Acupuncture is the use of extremely thin needles inserted through the skin at various strategic points on the body (Mayo). Acupuncture has become accepted in the United States for treating nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy, post-surgery pain, and pregnancy (“Traditional”). Acupuncture can also treat various conditions such as addiction, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma (“Traditional”). These treatments are indicative of the diversity within complementary and alternative medicines.

The opposing viewpoint of complementary and alternative medicines claim that alternative therapies only make “people feel better” but does not mend “their dysfunctional brains and bodies” (Charlton). This viewpoint states that the benefit of complementary and alternative medicines is merely psychological, not medical (Charlton). Charlton, the author of a journal article opposing alternative medicine, defines alternative therapies “in terms of them having non-scientific explanations.” Per Charlton, alternative therapies can be categorized as a part of orthodox medicine. However, the distinguishable difference between alternative therapies and orthodox medicine is that “alternative medical systems” do not have scientific explanations. The evidence alternative therapies are based on “spiritual, mystical, legendary or otherwise intuitively appealing insights” (Charlton).

However, the argument against any use of complementary and alternative medicines breaks down when compared to the evidence for cautious use of both conventional and alternative medicines. For one, the benefits of many alternate medicines have been researched and studied to exist and improve the health of patients. While not all complementary medicines have scientific explanations or backings, much of modern medicine grew out of the recognition that herbal remedies contained medical ingredients that chemically benefitted patients and present-day pushes to bring attention to physical and mental health often find a great deal of resonance with therapies like yoga and tai chi. Complete dependence on alternative medicines is unadvisable because conventional medicines, as pointed out by the argument against complementary medicines, have scientific explanations for their ability to potentially cure disease. The place of alternative and complementary medicines should not be to replace conventional, modern medicine. Instead, complementary medicines, as the name states, should complement the use of orthodox medicine. 

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) bring a great deal of controversy into everyday lives. Many are not aware that they have already chosen a side between complementary and alternative medicines and conventional medicine. Although not all alternative therapies have extensive research and are not evidence-based, they have found widespread use throughout the world. These practices have become integral in boosting mental and physical health, even in supporting the development of many modern medicines. The benefits which come from complementary and alternative medicine can only outweigh the disadvantages. However, these practices cannot replace conventional medicine for life-threatening illnesses. It is important to approach alternative therapies and medicines with an open and cautious mind in order to achieve the maximum amount of treatment possible.
