Have you ever thought about incorporating natural or alternative treatment methods into your current
medical protocol, but felt overwhelmed by all the choices? Or are you simply curious about your
alternative healthcare options? The first annual Richmond Alternative Health Expo this fall will provide
an opportunity for you to learn more about complementary and alternative practices, and also become
acquainted with local practitioners offering services.
What exactly is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)? According to the FDA’s industry
regulation guidelines, CAM is, “...a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and
products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.” It [The National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine] interprets “complementary” medicine as being
used together with conventional medicine, whereas “alternative” medicine is used in place of
conventional medicine.
The reasons why people choose different modalities are multifold. Some prefer a holistic approach that
acknowledges the mind-body connection. Others have tried conventional medical treatments for
chronic conditions, but aren’t getting the results they’d like. Some turn to CAM because they prefer to
use natural treatment modalities. And some are trying to avoid the side effects of drugs, or the cost
and physical trauma of surgery.
Variety of choices offers an individual fit
Within the wide spectrum of CAM, there are many options and approaches to choose from. The FDA
organizes its regulated substances into six specific categories: cosmetic products, devices, dietary
supplements, drugs, foods, and food additives. Each category has its own legal definitions and
restrictions, some more stringent than others. Health claims are carefully monitored and cannot be
made about a supplement until proven by a long process of independent research.
Some modalities, such as homeopathy and flower essences, are subtle, vibrational healing systems
intended to align our entire organism and help awaken our natural immune response. Vibrational
remedies are energetic rather than disease-specific; therefore, one person may need one homeopathic
remedy for a cold, while someone with a different constitution may need a completely different one to
achieve the same results.
Other CAM modalities like herbs and vitamin supplementation are allopathic, intended to help alleviate
a specific symptom or condition. With herbs and vitamins, careful quality control must be maintained,
since a natural substance can have more variability than a synthesized, concentrated drug. Within
each industry, individual companies often have their own independently verified testing and
standardization processes.
Bodywork like shiatsu therapy or rolfing, as well as movement re-education techniques such as the
Alexander Technique, work with the body in a physical, direct way. Some bodywork techniques such
as Reiki are designed to work with the electromagnetic field surrounding the body, rather than on the
tissues of the physical body itself.
There are also entire systems of CAM such as naturopathy, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and
Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) which encompass many modalities within themselves. For
example, Ayurvedic practitioners make recommendations about herbs, diet, exercise, lifestyle and
breathing techniques. Since many of these techniques and systems are so individually prescribed, it
can be hard to tailor independent studies for CAM along the same lines as for drugs.
Modern day drugs imitate nature’s pharmacy
Interestingly enough, the line between alternative and conventional medicine is less clear-cut than it
may seem. Many medical drugs are refined or synthesized versions of substances found in nature. For
example, acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin) is a synthetic chemical which mimics the natural salicin found in
white willow bark.
In many other parts of the world such as Europe and Asia, this distinction blurs even more. CAM is
more widely accepted in these areas than it is here in the U.S. In numerous European pharmacies,
homeopathy and herbs are sold alongside conventional drugs. Many doctors in Germany routinely
prescribe valerian root in place of Valium for anxiety and insomnia. In reality, conventional medicine
grew out of what we now know of as CAM. At one point in history before drugs, vaccines and surgery
were available; humans relied on the options nature provided and the wisdom of the medicine men
and women of those times.
Medical arenas incorporate CAM
Numerous doctors and hospitals are incorporating some CAM modalities into their practices, often with
measurable success. For example, many hospital OB/GYN wards are offering natural childbirth options
by adding birth centers, midwife and doula programs, and even providing access to alternative
childbirth support such as water birthing and aromatherapy. Not only is this empowering for many
parents-to-be, but it can also be cost-effective in the long run.
Some doctors are also now prescribing nutritional supplements such as fish oil, garlic and single
vitamins or minerals to their patients, as complementary treatments. Physical therapy, while
recognized as a standard medical discipline, bears many similarities to alternative therapies like
massage and chiropractic work. And when your doctor advises you to manage your stress-related
hypertension, he or she is acknowledging the mind/body link in health.
The clearest difference between alternative and conventional therapies is that conventional medical
treatments do not fully embrace a mind-body-spirit perspective, while many CAM therapies do.
An Integrative Medical Doctor or Naturopathic Physician may be an ideal guide for those seeking to
use CAM for serious health conditions. Some herbs or supplements may not be compatible with certain
medications, and others may not be suitable for pregnant or nursing women. While choosing a
complementary or alternative treatment modality can be a safe and effective step on the road to
better health, decisions should be made with careful consideration, research and a consultation with a
knowledgeable CAM practitioner.
At the fall expo, you can learn about everything from aromatherapy to internal cleansing to special
diets, all in an easy-to-navigate layout divided by category. Come with curiosity and questions, and
plan to have fun!
Sarah Noack Millogo is a freelance writer and a product educator with a focus on all-natural beauty
care. She credits her full recovery from fibromyalgia (a debilitating systemic illness) to CAM
modalities, and lives in Fredericksburg.
