Complementary and Alternative Medicine Resources
Introduction
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely used today. According to a 2007 National Health Interview Survey, 38 percent of adults use CAM, which may be loosely defined as group of diverse 
medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine.”Complementary medicine” defined is the use of CAM together with conventional medicine, such as using acupuncture in addition to usual care to help ease or prevent pain. Most use of CAM by Americans is complementary. “Alternative medicine” refers to the use of CAM in place of conventional medicine. “Integrative medicine” combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM. CAM practices are typically grouped into broad categories, such as natural products, mind and body medicine, and manipulative and body-based practices.
Acupuncture
American Academy for Medical Acupuncture
The purpose of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is to promote the combination and integration of concepts from traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training.
Acupuncture: An Introduction
This comprehensive guide contains general and specific information on acupuncture, including its use in the United States, side effects, research, and treatments costs.
Clinical Trials
This website provides over 20 different case studies which analyze the effects of acupuncture.
Medline Plus- This resource offers a variety of information on acupuncture, including its history, specific conditions, treatments, research, and results.
Acupressure
4Holistic Health
This brief but informative overview provides general information on acupressure as well licensing requirements.
Vanderbilt University “Acupressure”
This comprehensive and detailed guide provides a wealth of information on acupressure, including its purpose, types, support, tests, and case studies.
Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Medicine
This guide offers an introduction to ayurveda as well as information on research, practice, and literature.
Ayurvedic Institute
The Ayurvedic Institute was established in 1984 to teach the traditional Ayurvedic medicine of India.
University of Maryland Medical Center: Ayurveda
This comprehensive guide from the University of Maryland offers information on ayurvedic medicine, its treatments, and benefits and results.
Diet and Nutrition
Dietary Supplements
This website provides information on dietary supplements as well as resources on trends, research, and current developments.
Studying the Effects of Natural Products
This online course focuses upon the role of natural products in health care research.
Food and Chemical Toxicology
This journal publishes research reports and occasional interpretative reviews on the toxic effects, in animals or humans, of natural or synthetic chemicals occurring in the human environment.
Feldenkrais Method
The Feldenkrais Method
This resource provides information on the history, methodology, and use of the Feldenkrais Method.
International Feldenkrais Federation
The mission of the International Feldenkrais Federation is the development of the international Feldenkrais community by advancing the Feldenkrais model throughout the world and providing resources for professionals utilizing the method in their practices.
Herbs and Homeopathy
ABC Homeopathy
This website offers an informative overview, online remedy finder, and homeopathy directory.
An Introduction
This comprehensive guide provides a wealth of information on Herbs and Homeopathy, including history, research, use in the United States, controversies, and licensing for professionals.
North American Society for Homeopaths
The North American Society for Homeopaths (NASH’s) mission is to promote and represent professional homeopaths and to advance the role of the homeopathic profession as an essential part of health care delivery in North America.
Naturopathic Medicine
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
This guide offers general information on the field as well as specific ways professionals apply Naturopathy to patients.
Natural College of Natural Medicine
National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) is the oldest accredited naturopathic graduate medical college in North America.
Discoveries in Alternative Medicine
“Discoveries in Alternative Medicine: Naturopathic Physicians,” presented by the American Health Journal, is a six-part documentary series on the naturopathic medical profession.
Osteopathy
American Academy of Osteopathy
The mission of the American Academy of Osteopathy is to teach, advocate, and research the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles, practices and manipulative treatment in patient care.
Introduction to Osteopathy
This resource from the University of Maryland offers an introduction and history to the field of osteopathy as well as its treatment and results.
Reflexology
What is Reflexology?
This comprehensive guide from the University of Minnesota provides an introduction to reflexology as well as its specific body focuses and related therapies.
Reflexology Association of America
This organization works to promote the field of reflexology as well as offer a variety of educational and professional development materials to professionals in this concentration.
Associations and Organizations
American Holistic Health Association
The American Holistic Health Association provides free and impartial information resources for wellness and healing.
American Holistic Medical Association
The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing holistic medicine and natural healthcare.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
This organization conducts, supports research and provides information about complementary health products and practices.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
World Organization of Natural Medicine
The World Organization of Natural Medicine (WONM) is a nonprofit international organization dedicated to the restoration and delivery of traditional and natural medicine health care especially for impoverished nations.
Additional Resources
Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine at Berkeley
This program offers a Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine including Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture and herbology, combined with Japanese acupuncture, Japanese kampo herbology, Korean hand acupuncture, and Western integrative medicine.
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
This college offers accredited Master degree programs in Traditional Oriental Medicine and certificates in Oriental Body Therapy.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.