In 1994, the federal government limited the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA\’s) power to regulate natural drugs, such as herbs and vitamins. Because these substances are deemed natural, people may think that they are safe, but that is not always the case. Other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies—mind–body–spirit therapies, energy and biofield therapies, and manipulation therapies—are generally safe, but each patient needs to be assessed for contraindications. For this reason, it is important that any form of CAM is discussed with the health care professional.
Within this Discussion Board, reflect on any alternative treatments that you have ever opted to use—in particular, treatment other than what was recommended by your allopathic medical provider—and answer the following questions:
What was the response when you discussed it with your medical provider?
Did your health care insurance cooperate fully and pay the bill?
If you have not opted for CAM to treat anything serious before, what treatments would you expect your insurance to cover?
Unit 1 Discussion Board 2
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Unit 1 Discussion Board 2
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to therapeutic modalities that do not utilize conventional medicine. They include yoga, acupuncture, tai chi, herbal supplements, and chiropractic care among others (Agarwal, 2018). The CAM modalities draw from historical and traditional practices as well as indigenous belief systems.
I had lower back pain and opted for acupuncture as a CAM modality to ease the pain. Acupuncture is a process that involves inserting thin needles into strategic points of the body. The process is commonly used to treat pain. Western practitioners believe that acupuncture places tend to stimulate the nerves, connective tissue, and muscles resulting in pain relief. Before I carried through with the practice, the practitioner explained to me the basics of the procedure, the risks while at the same time explaining to me the alternative conventional practices used for pain management. The healthcare practitioner recommended the practice if conventional medicines had failed to ease the pain.
Unfortunately, the practitioner also informed me that the procedure was not covered by insurance and therefore I had to make out-of-pocket payments.
Previously, I had not considered complementary and alternative therapy as a modality that I would opt for to treat serious conditions like back pain, However, after therapy and pain medications failed to ease, my back pain, I considered CAM and I have been experiencing positive health outcomes. It is important to note some people consider CAM as effective and important as conventional medicine. It would be therefore important for insurance plans to cover various CAM treatment modalities like herbal supplements and medications, acupuncture, chiropractic care as well as diet-based therapies. Covering the above treatment modalities would ensure that people have choices without incurring additional medical costs.
References
Agarwal, V. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine provider knowledge discourse on holistic health. Frontiers in communication, 3, 15.