Parents seeking to do as much for a child with childhood leukemia as possible often turn to complementary medicine, this is perhaps the safest form of non standard treatment because it is in addition to not as a substitute for conventional treatment.

As with anything not proven parents who wish to use complementary medicine on thier children are advised to exercise caution and keep their medical doctor informed as to what they are doing.

Complementary and alternative medicine, (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products not presently considered part of conventional medicine.

Scientific evidence about some complementary medicine and alternative therapies exist, for most a number of questions regarding safety and effectiveness remain unproven

There is no defined list of complementary and alternative medicine, the list changes continually as treatments in question prove to be safe and effective. As they are proven to be safe and effective they are adopted into conventional health care. CAM is a wide area and parents should judge carefully the treatment and practioners they are considering using.

What is the difference between alternative and complementary medicine?

This question quite often confuses as the terms are often, mistakenly, used to mean the same thing.

1. Alternative Medical Systems.

Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved long before the birth of what we now regard as conventional medicine. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.

2. Mind-Body Interventions

Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.

3. Biologically Based Therapies

Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements,3 herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer).

4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods

Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.

5. Energy Therapies

Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:

a. Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.

b. Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.

Many people find great relieve when using complementary medicine and if only to say you have tried everything it is well worth the effort.

Edited by: Kevin Hart MA

 

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