A New Show In Town

By Author: Steven B. Ross
Total Articles: 13
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Many people believe that illness, degeneration, disease, and pain is a normal process of growing old and that conventional medicine looks for defects, causes, risks, and genetic markers—all while attempting to suppress the symptoms of disease. In this era of conventional medicine, the ultimate definition of good health is merely the absence of disease and infirmity.
But conventional medicine isn't the only show in town.
According to the 2002 survey figures of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), approximately 62 percent of Americans are using some form of complementary and alternative medicine. These include:
Biologically based practices using substances from nature such as herbs, special diets, or vitamins.
Energy medicine involving the use of energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body.
Manipulative and body-based practices based on manipulation or movement of one or more body parts.
Mind-body medicine using techniques that enhance the mind's ability to affect bodily function and symptoms.
Whole ...
... medical systems built on complete systems of theory and practice.
In many cases, these systems have evolved apart from (and even earlier than) the conventional medical approach currently practiced in the United States. The study also shows that well over half of the U.S. population is turning to CAM in addition to (not necessarily in place of) conventional medicine. Why?
The survey asked people to answer that question by selecting from five reasons, stated below. Respondents could select more than one reason. In the order of most-to-least times answered, they indicated the following reasons:

* CAM would improve health when used with conventional medical treatments: 55%
* CAM would be interesting to try: 50%
* Conventional medical treatments would not help: 28%
* A conventional medical professional suggested trying CAM: 26%
* Conventional medical treatments are too expensive: 13%