CAM is short for complementary alternative medicine. It can be best described in two parts complementary medicine is where you add to your present health care from a doctor by enlisting other remedies to help in your care. Some examples would be for pain someone might be told by a doctor to take warm baths, soak with Epsom salts, use irrigations or heating pads. This kind of complementary addition can elevate pain so you don’t rely on medication so heavily. Using relaxation techniques, stretching and massage are other examples of complementary medicine.
Alternative medicine however is where someone tries to replace conventional therapy with an alternative one such as changing ones diet to elevate diabetes before going on conventional medications. Some cancer patients have been known to fore-go chemotherapy and radiation recommended by conventional doctors, for extreme alternative methods and special dietary changes.
Integrated medicine is the combination of complementary and alternative medicines with conventional medicine to provide a complete and safer form of health care. More conventional doctors are taking an active role in giving patients choices of treatment plans for diseases and illness these days. I have seen a more tolerable role in conventional medicine for special dietary plans and restrictions, the use of relaxation techniques and biofeedback, massage and water therapies, not to mention vitamin and herbal additives to medication lists.