How To Combine Traditional Medications With CAM for Optimal Health?
Posted: 2024-05-31
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The evolution of the healthcare industry, both globally and particularly in India, is undergoing a rapid shift.

Everybody knows the fact that one medicine cannot effectively cure all the diseases, likewise there isn’t any type of treatment that works for everyone.

That one-size-fits-for-all doesn’t work when it comes to curing diseases.

This realization has led to further shifts away from relying completely on traditional medicines.

Now people are becoming more used to using Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) along with the use of traditional treatments.

What Exactly is Complementary Alternative Medicine?

It offers a wide range of practices like ayurveda, acupuncture, herbal medicine, body manipulation, chiropractic care, and more.

Meditation, yoga, consuming green tea, and relaxing massages are some among them.

While some CAM treatments may incorporate elements of conventional medicine, the safety and effectiveness of most CAM therapies are still under scientific investigation and may not be universally guaranteed.

It’s about blending the best of both the methods. It provides you with the personalized care that benefits your unique needs and preferences.

Altogether, it offers practical solutions for your health.

The term “complementary medicine” came as both systems started being used together to compliment each other.

So, what’s behind this rapid change?

  1. Focus on the Whole Person The CAM practitioners have different perspectives when completely defining a disease. It not only gives importance to the physical symptoms, but it considers things like mental and emotional well-being of an individual. This directly connects to patients seeking a reliable solution for their health.
  2. Addressing Chronic Conditions CAM therapies can often provide additional treatment options for chronic conditions like pain, anxiety and sleep disorders. This can be appealing to those who haven’t found relief through traditional medicines.
  3. Patient-centered Care CAM practices always encourage patients to take an active part in their health and overall well-being. This realization can be helpful for those who want to be more involved in improving their overall health.

How Does CAM Fit into Today’s Healthcare Industry

The future of the healthcare industry is moving towards integrative medicine.

In this method, both conventional treatments and evidence-based complementary alternative medicines (CAM) are combined.

By integrating these two methods together, healthcare providers can offer patients a more practical and personalized approach to treatments.

Instead of choosing the same old-fashioned way of medication, go ahead with integrative medicines.

It considers each patient’s unique needs, preferences, and health conditions.

This can practically allow healthcare professionals to strategically plan the treatments that may include a combination of traditional and CAM therapies.

This can lead to improved outcomes in the disease management process.

  1. Integration is Key The future of disease cure can witness major changes, we can predict that the future healthcare industry will be heavily influenced by integrative medicine. Which combines traditional treatments with evidence-based CAM practices. This allows patients to get optimal results to each of their unique needs.
  2. Transparency and Collaboration Every patient should get comfortable discussing CAM methods with their healthcare providers. An open communication creates a transparent environment for patients and healthcare providers to discuss the treatment plans and curing methods in detail.

We can explore some successful integrative medicine approaches and the studies that support the effectiveness of CAM therapies.

  1. Integrative Cancer Care, a meta-analysis published in JAMA Oncology (2018) found that acupuncture can significantly reduce the hardship of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.
  2. Another research paper published in JAMA Internal Medicine (2016) shows that mindfulness meditation can reduce pain intensity and improve functions in individuals with chronic lower back pain by providing a non-pharmacological approach to pain management.
  3. A review published in JAMA Psychiatry (2014) concluded that effective yoga practices can be an effective treatment plan for cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and symptoms for anxiety and depression, improving mental health.
  4. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2019) demonstrates that bitter melon supplementation can lead to significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, showing its role as an adjunct therapy.

These studies illustrate how integrating traditional medicine with evidence-based CAM therapies can offer optimal results in the disease cure process.

The emergence of CAM medications isn't about replacing the traditional medicines, but rather to complement them.

By combining these methods, healthcare professionals can help patients create a more effective and inclusive healthcare system for all.

So, whether you’re dreaming of relief from chronic pains or simply looking to improve your overall health, know more about complementary alternative medicines.

That might be a valuable addition to your healthcare journey.

After all, why settle for less, when we can utilize the advanced healthcare processes that consider the whole you?

/Healthcare evolves, blending traditional medicine with CAM for holistic, personalized care and better outcomes.
ByBinu Bhasuran