Alternatives To Traditional Medicine

Friday, March 2, 2007
Posted on Sat, Feb 24, 2007

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Dear Savvy Senior:
My wife recently battled breast cancer and the doctors have her on Tamoxifen to help prevent any recurrence. She’s taking the medicine but lately she has been exploring a host of what I consider to be offbeat therapies that one of her friends (also a cancer survivor) recommended.
All of this alternative health stuff seems a little strange for a traditionalist like me. Maybe I’m just too old-fashioned, but I was wondering if you know of any place I can turn to learn more.
Conventional Codger
Dear Conventional:
Don’t be too quick to dismiss alternative medicines, some of which have been practiced for thousands of years in many cultures. In fact, it’s estimated that in the United States today, between 36 and 62 percent of adults are using some form of complementary or alternative medicine.
Alternative health
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a varied assortment of medical practices and products that are not considered conventional medicine. In other words, they don’t teach this stuff in medical schools. Some are strictly alternative, which means they are practiced in place of conventional medicine, but others are complementary, meaning they are practiced in addition to traditional therapies and treatments.

The list of complementary and alternative medicines is long, and includes things like acupuncture, chiropractic care, hypnosis, massage, herbs and vitamins, and yoga, just to name a few. It also includes such techniques as biofeedback and energy healing. Even prayer is considered a form of alternative and complementary medicine.
Learn more
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the federal government’s lead agency on scientific research of CAM. NCCAM supports research to determine if CAM therapies work, whether they are effective and who might benefit most from the use of specific therapies. To learn more about CAM, start by talking with your own doctors. Ask them about the different types of practices, how safe and effective they are, and how they may work with existing treatments or medications. Here are three other resources to assist you:
NCCAM Clearinghouse -- They answer questions about CAM, distribute free publications and provide information on selecting complementary or alternative providers. Visit www.nccam.nih.gov, or call 888-644-6226.
National Library of Medicine -- The world’s largest medical library offers information, resources and results to scientific studies on CAM. Visit www.nlm.nih.gov or call 888-346-3656
National Pain Foundation -- Provides information on traditional and complementary therapies for managing pain. Visit www.painconnection.org.
Things to know
Safety -- As with any type of medical, complementary or alternative treatment, always remember to talk to your doctor first. Sometimes mixing natural CAM products with existing medications can have a negative effect. The Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition offers great information on dietary supplements at www.cfsan.fda.gov or 888-723-3366.
Insurance -- Find out if your therapy will be covered by insurance. In most cases, complementary and alternative practices are not covered by insurance or Medicare.
Locate -- To locate a CAM practitioner, ask your health care provider(s) or contact your nearby hospital or medical school and see if they have a list of area CAM practitioners or could make a referral. Some regional medical centers may have CAM centers or practitioners on staff.
Licensing -- Ask if your practitioner has a license to practice. Licensing and regulatory laws for CAM practices are becoming more common to help ensure competent and quality services.
Jim Miller, creator of the “Savvy Senior” information column, is a freelance writer and longtime advocate of senior issues. Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070 or visit www.savvysenior.org.
Miller is a regular contributor to NBC’s “Today” show and author of “The Savvy Senior” books.
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