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Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What you should know

The popularity of complementary and alternative treatments is on the rise. According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2010), about 75% of Canadians have purchased alternative medicine products, and nearly half of those people take them daily. In Canada, approved alternative medicine products are called Licensed Natural Health Products and they include a variety of health products, from vitamins and herbal supplements to traditional Chinese medicines and natural remedies. Learning more about alternative medicine products and therapies can help you make informed decisions about your treatment. Talk with your health care team to weigh the risks and benefits to your health.

Complementary vs. alternative medicine
Are there any risks associated with alternative therapies?
Are alternative therapies covered in Canada?

Complementary vs. alternative medicine

The term “complementary medicine” refers to multiple forms of health care that are integrated with conventional medicine delivered by a medical doctor (surgery, pharmaceutical medications, etc.). This may include alternative treatments and additional therapies. For example, a patient with cancer may be receiving radiation (conventional medicine), but may also explore meditation or massage therapy (complementary treatments) to help cope with the side effects.

The term “alternative medicine” implies that these methods are being used in place of conventional medicine. An example of alternative medicine would be a person with allergies who chooses to treat these only with acupuncture.

Together, complementary and alternative treatments are known as CAM therapies. You can learn more about CAM therapies from CAMline and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (U.S. resource).

Are there any risks associated with alternative therapies?

All medical therapies, alternative or conventional, contain a degree of risk. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering CAM therapies:

1. Consider the severity of your condition. You may be taking a serious risk when you substitute CAM therapies for traditional medicine. Some diseases are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention and treatment using proven medical therapies delivered by a medical doctor.
2. In evaluating CAM treatments, gather as much information as you can about the type of treatment and the practitioner you have chosen. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Find out if the practitioner is regulated to provide the type of therapy that you are receiving.
3. Do some research on the specific type of CAM therapy you are considering. You will need to determine whether this therapy might be effective for your condition, and whether there is a risk that the treatment could harm you. You may even want to speak to other users of the therapy to find out about their experiences. Your doctor may be able to recommend people for you to talk to.
4. Be wary of anyone suggesting that you pay up front for a lengthy treatment that doesn’t guarantee results until much later.
5. Make sure you ask both your CAM health care provider and your medical doctor about possible interactions between therapies or supplements, and any prescription drugs you are taking. Some herbal supplements or therapies can interfere with your medications or may not be appropriate for you to take. To find out which approved natural health products are available in Canada, see Health Canada’s Licensed Natural Health Products Database. You can also discuss any supplements you are taking with your local pharmacist.

Are alternative therapies covered in Canada?

CAM therapies are not typically funded by the Canadian health care system. This is because there have been limited clinical trials performed to prove the effectiveness of these treatments. Many CAM therapies have complex effects that have been difficult to measure in a scientifically controlled laboratory environment.

There are a few CAM therapies, such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, that have been shown to have significant benefits for the treatment of various forms of pain. Many employer-sponsored private health insurance plans include some coverage for these kinds of treatments. Talk to your insurer or your Human Resources representative to learn more.

Before considering any type of therapy, you should consult with your family doctor and CAM health care provider to determine if the treatment is right for you.

Key Websites:

• CAMline: CAM therapies/practitioners 
• Health Canada: Natural health products
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Types of CAM (U.S. resource)

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References