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Integrative Medicine
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Exploring the Five Domains of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

March 25, 2022
Fact checked
Written by Karolyn Gazella
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Natacha Montpellier, ND, B.Sc.
  1. Wellness blog
  2. Exploring the Five Domains of Complementary and...

Welcome to Fullscript’s integrative medicine education series. Discover how integrative medicine improves patient outcomes and why it’s being adopted by forward-thinking practitioners across North America.  

In any discussion about integrative medicine, clarifying terminology is important. Integrative medicine is often confused with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); however, there is an important distinction to make. Complementary and alternative medicine focuses solely on natural healing practices. In contrast, integrative medicine combines complementary and alternative therapies and approaches with conventional medical care practices. (5)

To understand integrative medicine, it’s essential to understand the basics of CAM. Continue reading to learn more about the five domains of complementary and alternative medicine that shape the philosophy and practices of integrative medicine.

complementary and alternative medicine
Integrative medicine combines complementary medicine approaches, such as dietary supplements and body based practices, with conventional medicine practices.

Five domains of complementary and alternative medicine

One of the most widely-used classifications of types of complementary and alternative medicine was developed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2000 which identified these five domains:

  1. Biologically-based interventions
  2. Body-based manipulative methods
  3. Energy therapies
  4. Mind-body practices
  5. Whole medical systems (1)
complementary alternative medicine five domains complementary alternative medicine
The five domains of CAM include biologically-based practices, body-based methods, e​​nergy therapies, mind-body practices, and whole medical systems to promote overall health and healing.

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1. Biologically-based interventions

In this domain, naturally occurring substances and techniques not typically used in conventional medicine are used to influence health and promote healing. These include herbal medicine, chelation, dietary supplements, and specialized diets. (5)

Did you know? Chelation therapy has been shown in many studies to be able to successfully remove toxic metals from the human body. (3)

2. Body-based manipulative methods

By manipulating interdependent body structures and systems (i.e., bones, joints, soft tissues), this domain helps the body regulate and heal itself and includes treatments from acupuncture (i.e., cupping, moxibustion, scraping), chiropractic care, massage therapy, and reflexology. (5) For example, clinical trials demonstrate that chiropractic medicine can improve neck pain, shoulder and neck trigger points, and sports injuries. (6)

3. Energy therapies

Whereas body-based methods work on body structures and systems, energy therapies manipulate the energy fields of the body and include acupuncture, qi gong, reiki, tai chi, and therapeutic touch. (1) A large systematic review and analysis of qi gong looked at 886 clinical studies and found that this specific energy therapy may help a variety of conditions including diabetes, hypertension, insomnia, low back pain, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. (8)

complementary and alternative medicine wellness products
CAM practitioners use the five domains of complementary and alternative medicine to create a personalized, whole-body approach to overall health and healing.

4. Mind-body practices

This domain honors the intimate connection between the mind and the body with an understanding that the mind can influence physical health and healing. (1) The techniques used in this category include biofeedback, guided imagery, meditation, mindfulness, prayer, and relaxation techniques. Biofeedback, for example, is often used to help manage mental health concerns such as stress and anxiety, but it may also help with a wide variety of conditions including chronic pain, constipation, insomnia, headaches, fatigue, and urinary incontinence. (4)

5. Whole medical systems

In the scientific literature, this domain is sometimes also referred to as alternative medical systems, which features whole person medical treatments from a diverse group of systems including Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, and ancient medical techniques from non-Western cultures such as Asia, China, Native America, Pacific Islands, and Tibet. (7) A 2018 review highlighted the benefits of homeopathy, which include fibromyalgia, infectious diseases, mental health issues, and pain management. (2)

The bottom line

The common threads within these five domains of complementary and alternative medicine include honoring the human body’s ability to be in balance, resilience as it relates to the body’s ability to heal itself, and the significant connection between mind, body, and spirit. Utilizing one or more of the types of techniques featured in one or more of the five domains of complementary and alternative medicine helps practitioners create a personalized, whole-body, integrative health approach to medical care, health, and healing.

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References
  1. Bondurant, S., Anastasi, J. K., Berman, B., Buhrmaster, M, & Burrow, G. N. (2005). Committee on the use of complementary and alternative medicine by the American public. National Academies Press.
  2. Dossett, M. L, & Yeh, G. Y. (2018). Homeopathy use in the USA and implications for public health: review. Homeopathy, 107(1), 3-9.
  3. Ferrero, M. E. (2016). Rationale for the successful management of EDTA chelation therapy in human burden by toxic metals. Biomed Res Int, 2016.
  4. Malik, K. (2021, Oct 19). Biofeedback: continuing education activity. StatPearls. https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/18290
  5. Millstine, D. (2021, Oct). Overview of integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine. MSD Manual. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/integrative,-complementary,-and-alternative-medicine/overview-of-integrative,-complementary,-and-alternative-medicine
  6. Salehi, A., Hashemi, N., Imanieh, M., & Saber, M. (2015). Chiropractic: is it efficient in treatment of diseases? Review of systematic reviews. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery, 3(4), 244-254.
  7. Tabish, S. A. (2008). Complementary and alternative healthcare: is it evidence-based? Int J Health Sci, 2(1).
  8. Zhang, Y., Hu, R., Han, M., Lai, B., Liang, S., Chen, B., Robinson, N., Chen , K., & Liu, J. (2020). Evidence base of clinical studies on qi gong: a bibliometric analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2020.

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Disclaimer

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

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At Fullscript, we are committed to curating accurate, and reliable educational content for practitioners and patients alike. Our educational offerings cover a broad range of topics related to integrative medicine, such as supplement ingredients, diet, lifestyle, and health conditions.

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