Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Explore the many forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practiced today and discover their histories, guiding principles, purported benefits, and potential risks.

Part of Bloomsbury's Q&A Health Guides series, this book examines a wide variety of forms of CAM popular in the 21st century. The volume's 48 questions begin with 10 that address foundational topics such as who uses CAM, how CAM has been studied and regulated, and how to gauge a particular treatment's safety and efficacy for yourself. The remaining 38 questions cover alternative medical systems and complementary treatments, including mind-body interventions, biologically based therapies, manipulation- and body-based methods, and energy therapies. Each answer utilizes a standardized format that examines a treatment's history, how it's practiced, the scientific community's view, potential benefits and risks, and special considerations. The text takes an unbiased approach, balancing respect for individuals' beliefs with the rigor of modern science.

Augmenting the main text, a collection of 5 case studies illustrate key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The Common Misconceptions section at the beginning of the volume dispels 5 long-standing myths about CAM, directing readers to additional information in the text. The Glossary defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers, while the Directory of Resources curates a list of the most useful books, websites, and other materials. Finally, whether they're looking for more information about this subject or any other health-related topic, readers can turn to the Guide to Health Literacy section for practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the Internet.