Complimentary alternative medicines or CAM are considered to be medicines, therapies, and practices that are not considered to be part of the typical and traditional field of medicine. However, there is a difference between the two elements that make up complimentary alternative medicines.
The complimentary medicines and therapies are treatments that are used with traditional medicine; while alternative medicines are treatments that are used instead of traditional medicine. There are many different sections or groups that make up CAM. For instance, there are whole systems such as homeopathic medicine. Then there is mind body medicine which focuses on the relationship between the mind and the body. Prayer, meditation, and psychotherapy, are all found under the mind body system.
Then there is biological and body based treatments. Biological treatments are the herbs and supplements that people take while body based treatments are exercise programs, acupuncture, chiropractic or any other physical treatment. However, just like research goes into diseases, ailments, prescription drugs, and treatments, there is research that goes into CAM. CAM market research is a necessary element in developing new therapies and treatments.
For example, CAM research needs to be done in order to prove which treatments are helpful and which are unsafe. Then this information is accessible by people and can direct them when using CAM.
The most important thing to consider with CAM is that it is a market just like prescription drugs. There are different side effects and negative consequences to some alternative therapies and therefore it is essential that personal research is done before taking them or obtaining them. Knowledge is the key to safe practice. Complimentary alternative medicines market research also looks at what elements of the market are still available to develop new treatments as well as which parts of the market are bombarded with different treatments and do not need anymore. CAM is a business.
CAM market research is typically available to the consumer. This way, the consumer can do their own research on any treatment before obtaining it. It is also a great way for physicians and health care professionals to gain knowledge about the common complimentary alternative medicines therapies that are being used by the public. The more physicians know about the complimentary and alternative medicines, the more they can direct their patients who wish to seek this kind of treatment.
CAM market research is a great tool for the consumer and traditional physicians and health professionals. The more that is known about the treatments the more people will be able to understand how it can help them while remaining a safe alternative.
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