Introduction to CAM; Using CAM to Treat the Mind

Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

Complimentary refers to natural methods that can be used along side traditional
medical treatments
Alternative refers to natural methods that are used in place of traditional medical
treatments
CAM is becoming more accepted in our society. Physicians are beginning to
recommend CAM methods along with medical treatments
Examples of CAM working alongside medical practices could include:
Giving birth in the hospital with the aid of a midwife and doula
A medical doctor suggesting the use of white vinegar as an appropriate treatment
for swimmers ear
A physician suggesting an increase in vitamin C to boost a childs immune
system




For more information on CAM, and to reference this chart, visit http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam
Why use Meditation?
Stress management
Pain management
Anger management
Fear/anxiety management
The power of meditation
Can be used as an alternative to pain medications and drugs
Is an effective antidepressant
Has been proven to heal chronic conditions and diseases
Concentration
Reflective meditation
Mindfulness meditation
Heart-Centered meditation
Creative meditation

Concentration is the basis of all
meditations
Concentration meditation will focus on
breathing rhythms and stilling the mind
This type of meditation will center
around one specific mental image or
thought, thus honing the concentration
process
Reflective, or disciplined thinking meditation
Learn to focus on a specific topic without the mind wandering
Take control of your own mind
Common reflective topics include:
Who am I?
What is the true purpose of my life?
What is my role in this universe?
How can I help remove the sufferings of others?
Learning to pay attention
One of the most powerful types of meditation, often used for
pain and anxiety management
We have the capacity to control much more with our minds
than most of us ever realize. Mindfulness meditation helps us
develop the focus we need to take control of our own minds
Breathing and visualization are common components of this
type of meditation

Also known as Loving Kindness
Meditation
Can be a tool for letting go
Valuable for forgiveness
Learning to love yourself and others
Develop deeper peace and compassion
Also known as visualization
Uses descriptive mental pictures, or imagery, to guide the meditation
Strengthens positive qualities, such as:
appreciation
Joy
Compassion
Patience
Empathy
Love
Gratitude
Compassion
Humility
Fearlessness
Tenderness
Yoga goes hand-in-hand
with meditation in its ability
to heal the mind
Like meditation, yoga
places much emphasis on
breathing
Develops mind/body
harmony



Benefits of yoga include:
Increased flexibility

Increased muscle strength and tone

Improved respiration, energy and vitality

The maintenance of a balanced metabolism

Weight reduction

Cardio and circulatory health

Improved athletic performance

Protection from injury
Popular types of yoga include:
Bikram
Hatha
Vinyasa
Kundalini
Ashtanga
Iyengar
Anusara
Restorative
Jivamukti
Prenatal
Before attempting yoga for the first time, check with your doctor to
make sure that you are healthy enough to safely attempt a new
physical regimen
Research local yoga instructors, and choose one that carries a
respected certification and has positive local reviews
There are many types of yoga, although all will center around specific
movement and breathing patterns. Each will have a specific area of
focus. Research the types available locally, and dig deeper to make
sure that you are choosing a style that is right for you
Chiropractic Treatment & Acupuncture
Chiropractic treatment works to bring
harmony between the structure and
function of the body
Chiropractic treatment typically
involves manipulation of the spine to
create proper alignment of the body;
however, many areas of the body can
be adjusted, including the neck, hips,
feet, hands, etc
A body that is in alignment will be less
susceptive to illness; more capable of
self-healing; experience less pain;
and experience better overall function


Natural pain management
Back pain
Neck pain
Headache relief
Supports the bodies natural ability to heal itself
Preventative care can help avoid issues that, left untreated, could
cause pain, medical bills, and even surgery
Chiropractic taps into a mind/body connection: a body that is in proper
alignment will result in a mind that is clearer, and emotionally stronger
and more stable

Chiropractic care is carefully regulated, with different laws
applying to each state. It is important to do your research
before choosing a chiropractor. In addition to checking
licensing and education, do some local research. Talk to
individuals who have used the practitioner, and ask for their
honest feedback, results, and opinions.
When I was 11 years old, I was burned horribly when a pot full of boiling water was dumped onto my feet.
My right foot took the brunt of the water, resulting in horrific blistering that took months to heal. A year later,
the scar tissue buildup left me limping; forcing me to endure plastic surgery and skin grafting in order to
walk normally again.
As a young child, I was resilient and bounced back quickly from the injury. I walked with a barely noticeable
limp, and the only memory of that nightmare lay in the scarring on the foot.
When I turned 29, I began training for my first 10k mud run. At that point, I began to notice pain when I ran
more than 4 miles at a time. I pushed through it, and ignored the nagging pain that I began to feel more and
more; until a year ago, at the age of 33, I could no longer ignore it. The pain had become so bad that I
couldnt walk without a noticeable limp. Driving was the worst; at the end of my hour long commute to work,
it took everything I could do to limp across the parking lot.
At this time, I finally began chiropractic treatment to correct my hip. Within our bodies, we have different
kinetic chains; one of these involves the hip, knee, and ankle. From the time I was 11, I have walked with
my foot turned slightly out, resulting in a slight limp. Through the years, this has disrupted the natural flow of
my kinetic chain, causing my body to adapt unnaturally, thus stressing the hip. I am an avid gym rat, and
all the years of heavy squats and lunges have built up a lot of muscle around this imbalance, causing my
bones to settle tightly in place----unfortunately, the wrong place.
Through consistent chiropractic treatment, I am now happily pain free. I can squat heavy once again; and
get out of my car without feeling the shock of pain. Because of my injury, I will always need treatment on my
hip; but I am happy to say that preventative treatment has given me back a quality of life that at age 34, I
am far too young to lose!
Acupuncture is the most popular
form of ancient Chinese
medicine. It involves sticking
needles into specific pressure
points on the body
Many people are convinced of
the value of acupuncture; while
others believe that any results
are a placebo effect. Studies
arent are definitive in this field
of CAM as they are in many
others; only YOU can decide if
this age-old method is right for
you.

Acupuncture is commonly used to
manage some of the following
conditions:
Ear, nose, & throat disorders
Circulatory disorders
Gastronomical disorders
Gynecological / Genitourinary disorders
Immune disorders
Addiction
Emotional and Psychological disorders
Musculoskeletal and neurological
disorders
Respiratory disorders
Weight management

As with any field of CAM, make sure to do YOUR OWN research before
making a decision to use the method. Discuss any potential concerns
or side effects with your physician
Acupuncture involves needles, which presents deeper safety concerns
than some areas of CAM. If you find an acupuncture practitioner,
research thoroughly to make sure that they are licensed and reputable.
Check out the facility beforehand and check for cleanliness. Ensure that
new needles are used for each procedure.
Aromatherapy & Herbs
Aromatherapy involves the use of
essential oils that have either been
diffused; inhaled; used as massage
oils; or occasionally, ingested.
There are over 400 essential oils
available
Boasted benefits of essential oils
include:
Boosted immune system
Relaxation
Stress management
Digestive health
Pain management
Sleep management



Essential oils are said to help with many conditions. Some of these include:
Allergies- Wintergreen, lavender, chamomile
Bloating- Peppermint, clary sage
Constipation- Peppermint, fennel
Dizziness- Peppermint, frankincense, cedarwood
Earache- Wintergreen, Melrose
Fatigue- Peppermint
Infection- Oregano, thyme, mountain savory, lemongrass
Joint pain- wintergreen, Idaho balsam fir
Motion sickness- Ginger, peppermint
Pink eye- Tea tree, lavender
UTI/bladder infection- Oregano
Stress- Lavender, frankincense



Patients with diabetes should avoid angelica.
Patients with epilepsy should avoid fennel, rosemary and sage (because of the risk of over-stimulating the nervous
system).
Patients with hypertension should avoid hyssop, rosemary, sage and thyme.
Pregnant ladies should avoid basil, laurel, angelica, thyme, cumin, aniseed, citronella and juniper. An aromatherapist
should always be alerted if the patient is pregnant because of potential teratogenic and uterine effects of the oils.
Those with sensitive skins should avoid basil, laurel, coriander, tea tree, neroli, geranium, mint, yarrow, Roman and
German chamomile, lemon balm, citronella, ginger, hops, jasmine, lemon, lemon grass (unless greatly diluted with a carrier
oil), turmeric and valerian. Skin patch testing can be carried out beforehand if there are concerns. Care should be taken in
those with a history of allergy or atopic conditions such as asthma, eczema or hayfever.
Oestrogen-dependent tumours such as breast cancer or ovarian cancer, are a contra-indication to the use of oils with
oestrogen-like compounds, such as fennel, aniseed, sage, and clary sage.
There may be possible interactions of essential oils, with antibiotics, antihistamines and sedatives.
Cinnamon, turmeric, valerian, laurel, juniper, aniseed, coriander and eucalyptus should not be used for longer than two
weeks at a time because of concerns about toxicity.
Bitter almond, red thyme, common sage, rue, wormwood, tansy, savory, wintergreen and sassafras oils should be
avoided at all times by everyone as they can be poisonous.
ALWAYS CONSULT A PHYSICIAN BEFORE USING ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES OF ANY TYPE
The use of herbs as medicine is indeed the earliest form of medicine
available. Long before there were pharmacies and drug stores, there
were herbs.
Many herbs can be uses as alternatives to common over the counter
drugs
Many CAM methods involve using herbs in place of commonly
prescribed drugs
Many of our common prescription drugs actually use herbs as the
active ingredient
Herbs can be an effective and safe alternative to some of the less
healthy ingredients often included in pharmaceutical drugs

Here are a few common herbs and their
uses:
Chamomile
Relaxation and sleep aid
Anxiety, cramping, muscle pain
Echinacea
Immune system booster
Goldenseal
Immune system booster
St. Johns Wort
Antidepressant
Ginkgo biloba
Improved circulation and brain activity
Ginseng
Natural energy booster
Herbs are NOT regulated by the FDA, so
it is up to YOU to do the research before
using herbal remedies. Purchase your
herbs from reputable stores, and make
sure that the company producing the
herbs is reputable as well.
Herbs can sometimes have negative
effects when mixed with certain
medications. ALWAYS seek advice from
your doctor before mixing herbs with
pharmaceutical drugs
Certain herbs can react negatively with
some health conditions. Again, ALWAYS
seek the advice of your doctor before
using alternative remedies for health
conditions