One in four hospitals now offer complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services to patients, according to a recent survey by Health Forum, a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association. Patient demand is the primary reason for offering CAM programs; however, hospitals also cited clinical effectiveness and the fact that CAM services reflect the hospital’s intent to treat patients holistically.

CAM programs provide a means for hospitals to distinguish themselves from other hospitals while providing patients with additional health care options. CAM emphasizes a holistic approach to understanding disease processes and focuses on prevention as well as illness treatment. Nearly 27 percent of hospitals offer CAM therapies. CAM health care may include: Acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and naturopathy.

As acupuncture, massage and other CAM modalities become increasingly integrated into health care, opportunities for natural medicine hospital programs have developed, expanding patient access to holistic treatment options. CAM therapies are often practiced in allopathic hospitals in conjunction with conventional medicine. CAM is often more effective than conventional health care in the treatment of chronic conditions including: Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, arthritis, sciatica, sinusitis, and digestive disorders, among others. CAM therapies also speed recovery from surgery or illness.

CAM practitioners treat and manage cases ranging from upper respiratory tract infections and allergies to headaches, orthopedic and other medical conditions. As hospitals increase CAM programs, integrative CAM patients consistently rate their experiences more positively than patients receiving traditional allopathic health care. Adult CAM users often utilize CAM because they believe that CAM combined with conventional medical treatment is more effective in resolving their health care condition.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists. For more information call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500.