Also called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). According to a 2002 government survey, more than a third of American adults have tried alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy, acupuncture, herbal supplements, and specific diets. Alternative medicine is popular in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Portland, Houston, New York, and Orange County. This page is still in the development phase and much more info will be added over time.

Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month you will receive an email with a discussion of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, including complementary and alternative medicine treatment options, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

High Quality products formulated by a medical doctor
In addition to acerola extract supplement, consider the benefits of highly popular all natural products. These include Mind Power Rx for better mental focus, concentration, and mood; Diet Rx with green tea extract, hoodia, glucomannan, 5-HTPwhich helps you eat less. It really works to curb appetite; Good Night Rx for better sleep; Eyesight Rx with lots of antioxidants for better vision; MultiVit Rx a daily comprehensive multivitamin for more energy and vitality; Joint Power Rx for healthy joints; Prostate Power Rx for a healthy prostate gland; Passion Rx for sexual enhancement in men and women; and Veg Rx with Coq10 and carnitine supplies the missing nutrients in a vegetarian diet.

The list below includes several forms of natural alternative medicine:

Acupressure alternative medicine
Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure is based on the same principles as acupuncture, but employs touch rather than needles. According to traditional theory, stimulating particular points on the skin helps balance the flow of energy, or "chi," throughout the body. With acupressure, practitioners use their fingers to stimulate these "acupoints," making it a form of massage.
   The ancient practice of acupressure may be able to calm the aggressive behavior that often results from dementia. Taiwanese researchers looked at whether acupressure could offer a relatively simple way to address the problem. Various forms of touch therapy, such as gentle massage, can calm dementia patients' anxiety and agitation. The simple act of human contact that might explain the benefit; for people whose ability to communicate has been taken away by dementia, physical touch may be the easiest or only way for them to connect with other people. Journal of Clinical Nursing, February 2007.

Acupuncture - Fibromyalgia patients treated with six sessions of acupuncture experienced significant symptomatic improvement compared to a group given simulated acupuncture sessions. Acupuncture can help migraine headaches.

Aromatherapy appeals to women much more than men.

Biofeedback therapy

Chelation therapy is a form of alternative medicine which I have not studied.

Chiropractic - Among alternative medicine users, chiropractors are visited most frequently, followed by naturopathic doctors.

Herbal Alternative Medicine - use of vitamins and herbs has hit an all-time high, with middle-aged women identified as the biggest users of these and other forms of alternative medicine. Herbal alternative medicine is one of the fields that I feel I have accumulated a great deal of knowledge.

Homeopathy - a recent meta analysis disputes claims that homeopathy is effective. As a medical doctor who practices alternative medicine, I have always had difficulty understanding the theory behind homeopathy. It just does not make too much sense to me, however since I have not studied homeopathy in great detail, I cannot say for certain it does not work.

Hypnosis - People with chest pain that's not caused by a heart condition or heartburn may find hypnosis provides significant pain relief and improves their sense of general well-being. The causes of non-cardiac chest pain, as it's termed, are unknown. It can create so much anxiety that many people with the condition actually seek more care than patients with bona fide heart disease.

Iridology

Magnetic Therapy

Massage therapy - massage alters neurotransmitter and hormone levels.

Mirror Therapy - A good look in the mirror may help women with poor body image see themselves differently. A therapy known as "mirror exposure" eases some of the negative thoughts and behaviors of women with body image problems serious enough to put them at risk of developing an eating disorder. Women with such body image issues often use mirrors to check their perceived flaws -- reinforcing their dim views of their appearance.
The basic idea behind mirror exposure is that learning to realistically look at one's own body in objective terms can alter the automatic, negative judgments that would normally arise in individuals with this disorder. In one main element, women look at themselves in the mirror and describe their bodies in non-judgmental, but honest, ways. The goal is to help women let go of their constant self-criticism and learn how to better respond to distressing thoughts about their bodies.

Music Therapy - I was skeptical of the effectiveness of music therapy until I saw the movie The Story of the Weeping Camel. This movie changed my viewpoint on how music can influence animals. I highly recommend everyone to see The Story of the Weeping Camel. It was filmed in the Gobi desert of Mongolia in the year 2002.
     Heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate fluctuate in respond to music, with an arousal effect seen with increasing tempo, while slow, meditative music induces a relaxing effect, especially during the pauses.

Naturopathy - Naturopathic medicine, or naturopathy, is centuries old. It was widely practiced in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries but declined after World War II. In the last twenty years there's been somewhat of a resurgence in interest in naturopathic medicine.

Reiki healing and massage

Prayer Therapy
A study of more than 1,800 patients who underwent heart bypass surgery has failed to show that prayers specially organized for their recovery had any impact. The patients in the study at six U.S. hospitals included 604 who were prayed for after being told they may or may not be; another 597 patients who were not prayed for after being told they might or might not be; and 601 who were prayed for and told they would be the subject of prayer. The praying was done by members of three Christian groups in monasteries and elsewhere -- two Catholic and one Protestant -- who were given written prayers and the first name and initial of the last name of the prayer subjects. The prayers started on the eve of or day of surgery and lasted for two weeks. Among those who were prayed for but only told they might be -- 52 percent had post-surgical complications compared with 51 percent in the patients who were not prayed for but told they might be. After 30 days, the death rates and incidence of major complications were about the same in all three groups, according to the study published in the March, 2006 issue of American Heart Journal.

Reflexology

Yoga is an amazing form of physical and mental practice. I am amazed that Western culture did not develop such a form of movement therapy.

Alternative medicine and cancer
There are many natural herbs and supplements that can be helpful in cancer treatment or prevention. Alternative medicine and cancer research is at the earliest stages and hardly any funds have been devoted to alternative medicine approach to cancer treatment compared to chemotherapy research. See cancer for more information on alternatives.

Alternative medicine medical school
Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania are working with a Maryland alternative medicine school called Tai Sophia Institute on a program to teach medical students about meditation, herbal therapies, and other approaches to health that, although popular with the public, exist largely outside mainstream medicine.

Alternative Medicine and Diabetes
Results of a study do not support the notion that people who use complementary or alternative medicine are less apt to use conventional "evidence-based" medical and preventive care services. On the contrary, it seems they are more apt to use conventional medical services. In a survey of 2,474 adult diabetics, researchers found that nearly half reported using some form of complementary and alternative medicine therapy such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, dietary or herbal therapy, or massage and relaxation therapy. Given that there were roughly 15 million US adults with diabetes at the time of the survey, that means that roughly 7 million were using complementary and alternative medicine therapies, the authors note in the January 2006 issue of the journal Diabetes Care. There has been a dramatic increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine among individuals with diabetes in recent years.

Alternative medicine magazine
Dozens of alternative medicine magazines are available. However, one must be careful when reading the information in these magazines since some of the articles may not provide reliable information.

Alternative medicine for high blood pressure
There are many options through diet and supplements that could potentially be helpful as alternative medicine for high blood pressure.

Alternative medicine for arthritis
There are many options through diet and supplements that could potentially be helpful as alternative medicine for arthritis.

Alternative medicine for menopause
There are many options through diet and supplements that could potentially be helpful as alternative medicine for menopause, however research is this area has provided with conflicting and uncertain answers. Lots more studies are still needed.

Alternative Medicine and Sleep
One in six Americans frequently have difficulty falling asleep, and 5 percent of them use some type of alternative medicine to treat their sleeping problems. "Most respondents who used herbal therapies or relaxation techniques found these therapies helpful for managing their insomnia or trouble sleeping," Dr. Nancy J. Pearson and colleagues from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland report in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Herbs and relaxation exercises were the remedies most commonly used. About 60 percent of those who used alternative medicine for insomnia said they told their doctor they had done so. Alternative medicine use was more common among younger people, and among more educated individuals. Sleeping troubles peaked among 45- to 54-year-olds, declined somewhat for older people, and then increased again among those 85 and older. This contradicts past research that has suggested insomnia is most common among the elderly. "Taken together, our data justify further research on the efficacy of these complementary and alternative medicine therapies to treat sleeping disorders such as insomnia and trouble sleeping," the researchers conclude. Archives of Internal Medicine, September 18, 2006.

Alternative medicine doctor
May 2006 - Alternative medicine doctors who use treatments such as acupuncture and herbal supplements are making a controversial bid to expand their turf in Illinois. A bill pending in the Legislature would make Illinois the 15th state to license naturopathic doctors, or N.D.s, who favor natural treatments and shun most synthetic drugs. And for the first time in 54 years, a Chicago area school is offering a graduate program in naturopathic medicine. National University of Health Sciences in Lombard will start the four-year N.D. program in September.

Alternative medicine not discussed with doctors
Most Americans age 50 and older use complementary and alternative medicine, such as herbal products or acupuncture, but their doctor is not aware of it/. This, according to a survey conducted by AARP and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This is potentially dangerous since some alternative medicines may interfere with over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, or other conventional medical approaches. Among a total of 1,559 individuals age 50 and older surveyed in the spring of 2006, 63 percent reported having used one or more complementary and alternative medicine therapies. Forty-five percent of complementary and alternative medicine enthusiasts used massage therapy, chiropractic manipulation or other bodywork; 42 percent used herbal or dietary supplements; 15 percent used mind/body practices, including hypnosis and meditation; 14 percent used naturopathy, acupuncture, or homeopathy; and 10 percent had tried energy therapies.

Alternative Medicine and Health emails
Q. Hey, in the same way we are asking those in the medical and pharmaceutical field to be honest about the value of a natural approach and of supplements, so should those of us that support a natural approach and supplements in recognizing the fact that not all supplements and not all so called natural approaches are
everything that are cracked up to be.
   A. We couldn't agree with you more. There is dishonesty on both ends, the alternative medicine field and the traditional medical field, and practically everywhere it seems, not just in the health field.

Q. Just to send a note, in response to the latest newsletter, that I very much respect and concur with Dr. Sahelian's stance on suspecting current "medical knowledge and research" and the current "medical establishment". I'm not necessarily sure if there's a money thing involved with the drug companies, but there is something and I am wary of it. I honestly do think that modern-day medical practice is less about health and more about "drug-pushing" in the guise of health. I don't like current medical practice and the research that goes toward it, especially when they go against good healthy supplements/nutrients that have been shown to be effective and safe, and also to have other health-giving benefits besides what they're "usually" known for (meds don't do that generally, certainly at least not without side-effects). So just to let Dr. Sahelian know that I (and many others doubtless) very much agree with this wariness of current conventional medical practice.

Q. Is 5-HTP a good alternative medicine for Prozac?
   A. Some people may respond well to 5-HTP for mood disorders or for anxiety, but there may be others who respond better to Prozac or SSRIs. It's difficult to predict.

Q. What is the scientific reliability behind NAET testing? Have you written or know of any quality articles regarding this NAET diagnosing procedure?
   A. To the best of our understanding, Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique ( NAET ) is a method of diagnosis and treatment based on the idea that allergies can be diagnosed with muscle-testing. I have not studied this topic in any detail, but, based on my understanding of the human body, NAET is not consistent with my medical knowledge of how the body works.

FDA and alternative medicine CAM guidance
In April of 2007 we received a number of emails from concerned people regarding new FDA guidelines that involve complimentary and alternative medicine. Here's one such email:
"On April 30, 2007 the FDA will close the public comment period on a "Guidance" which will classify every alternative medicine practice as medicine so that only licensed physicians can carry out the procedure AND vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc., will suddenly become "untested drugs" which will be forbidden. Bad? Real Bad! But public outcry can stop this assault on your health and your freedom. Spread the word! Tell everyone in your Circle of Influence, professionals, alternative practitioners, nutrient and herb companies, everyone! Let them know how important their participation is to make sure the FDA backs off from this repressive course. "

You may find this information helpful.

Input on the FDA CAM guidance from a knowledgeable person within the industry
April 2007 - This is regarding the CAM alarm. First of all, the document that seems to be causing such concern is only a guidance, which means that even when it's finalized, it's not legally binding (it says so right at the beginning of the document ). A guidance is not a "proposal," as in a proposed regulation. Guidance's merely restate what is currently law; they don't create it. Therefore, any suggestion that laws or regulations already in place will be overturned is simply not factual.
   Whether or not this guidance is finalized will have no real impact on the industry and frankly is not worthy of the time already spent addressing it. Statements from unknowledgeable people that "supplements will be taken off the market" and that "we will then be only able to access nutritional supplements that correspond to the recommend daily allowance that Europeans now suffer with" if the guidance is finalized, are false and misleading.
   This seems to just be another instance of those who want to get the industry riled up - and, usually, donate money to their cause - once again trotting out the now familiar threat that dietary supplements will be removed from store shelves if we don't "act now." Over the years, from Codex to the recent passage of the AER bill, it's been the same refrain. Have dietary supplements been forced off the market and have there been massive health food store closures because of any of these "crises"? No!
   Unfortunately, there are real threats, such as bills introduced in the New York state, as well as in Oregon state legislature, that would do real harm to the ability of retailers and suppliers to market dietary supplements. The work at this level is not glamorous but so necessary.   

AHPA viewpoint on the FDA alternative medicine guidance
The American Herbal Products Association ( AHPA ) submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and called on that agency to withdraw its draft “Guidance for Industry on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration.” AHPA’s comments state that FDA should “inform the public that the draft guidance has been withdrawn,” and that “no further effort should be made by FDA to develop any final guidance on this subject matter.” One of the primary reasons that FDA gave for issuing this draft was to respond to what it describes as ‘increased confusion’ about products used by practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine. “But the publication of this draft has had exactly the opposite effect,” commented AHPA president Michael McGuffin, “and both the public and industry are more rather than less confused. This confusion extends to the both the content of the document and to FDA’s intentions in developing it,” he added. AHPA’s comments also recognize that FDA may decide to go forward with a final guidance, so provides numerous specific suggestions for clarification. AHPA suggests, for example, that FDA clearly identify which “industry” it is attempting to address, and clearly state its recognition that it “does not have jurisdiction over the practice of medicine or healing arts, including advice given by health care practitioners to patients with respect to products dispensed within such practice.” AHPA also requests that FDA “refrain from using the term ‘CAM products’ as a convenient way to refer to products that are used by practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine.” AHPA notes that its concern with this term “is that it implies that any product used by a CAM practitioner is a ‘medicine,’ and that FDA’s use of the term “suggests that FDA is attempting to create both a new legal definition and agency mandate, superseding acts of Congress, in contravention of its statutory authority.”

Additional comments will be submitted by May 29
AHPA believes that an error in the Federal Register notice that announced the availability of FDA’s draft guidance should be interpreted to allow additional comments to be filed anytime before May 29, 2007. AHPA intends to submit additional comments near the end of this comment period, and all AHPA members are invited to forward suggestions to Michael McGuffin at mmcguffin@ahpa.org. Members may also wish to consider submitting their own comments to FDA, both to express support for AHPA’s filing and to expand on any of the specific issues addressed in FDA’s draft.

Posting / distribution of AHPA comments encouraged
“AHPA members are encouraged to distribute our comments broadly and to post them on your websites to try to counter the significant confusion that this draft guidance has raised,” said McGuffin.

The full text of AHPA’s comments can be found at http://www.ahpa.org/Portals/0/pdfs/07_0427_AHPAComments_FDA_CAM_Guidance.pdf.
FDA’s draft guidance is at http://www.ahpa.org/Portals/0/pdfs/06_1200_CAM_Draft_Guidance_FDA.pdf

Eamil sent by Rima Laibow, M.D.
There is a crisis in health freedom. On April 30, 2007 the FDA will close the public comment period on a "Guidance" which will classify every alternative practice as medicine so that only licensed physicians can carry out the procedure AND vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc., will suddenly become "untested drugs" which will be forbidden. Bad? Real Bad! But public outcry can stop this assault on your health and your freedom. Spread the word! Tell everyone in your Circle of Influence, professionals, alternative practitioners, nutrient and herb companies, everyone! Let them know how important their participation is to make sure the FDA backs off from this repressive course. Please share this link with them and urge them to take action: http://tinyurl.com/2u7ghc

Yours in health and freedom, Rima E. Laibow, MD , Medical Director, Natural Solutions Foundation

Comments: please see www.naturalhealthline.com for a good rebuttal
Also, we received this rebuttal by email:
"I've done a lot of research on this issue, and it's basically a non-issue promulgated by one person, a Dr. Rima Laibow, plus her husband and attorney. There is no danger at the present moment of any of the stuff she talks about in her very effective viral email campaign. I suspect that what is going on is that she is phishing for email addresses. The whole CODEX thing that she talks about is also a non-issue. If it was an issue, you'd see hundreds of articles about it in major publications citing legal opinions from the vast legal machinery of the multi-billion dollar supplement industry as well as from the equally powerful professional Chiropractic, acupuncture, and naturopathic organizations. None of that is happening, just screeds from Dr. Rima Laibow and friends. Here's an opinion from one of the professional organizations I belong to:

* * * * *
This alert is chock full of the usual hyperbole, paranoia, and inaccuracy that unfortunately ensues following
virtually any mention of herbs or supplements by FDA. In short, this draft guidance document is a simple restatement of current law and regulation pertaining to "complementary and alternative medicine." It consolidates existing definitions and reaffirms that FDA has regulatory authority over dietary supplements and herbs. The document is a non-binding reference document that says nothing new. CSOMA (California State Oriental Medicine Association) is
preparing a bulletin which we will circulate to members letting them know that, in our assessment, no action
is needed on this. There are real threats to our continued access to and use of Chinese herbs. This guidance document is not one of them.Action alerts like this are cries of "wolf" that diminish our ability to really mobilize when action is genuinely needed.