Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard care.

Standard care is what medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy and allied health professionals, such as registered nurses and physical therapists, practice.

Alternative medicine means treatments that you use instead of standard ones.

Complementary medicine means nonstandard treatments that you use along with standard ones.

Examples of CAM therapies are acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal medicines. (from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)