Integrative Health Information for Teens, 4th Ed.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) defines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a group of diverse medical and health-care systems, practices, and products not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. Integrative medicine combines conventional and CAM treatments for which there is evidence of safety and effectiveness. While scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies—questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they work for the purposes for which they are used.

Integrative Health Information for Teens, Fourth Edition provides updated information about CAM systems, therapies, and practices, including various whole medical systems, manipulative practices, and movement therapies. Mind–body medicine, biologically based practices, energy medicine, and creative arts therapies are also discussed. A special section describes CAM therapies intended to help patients with specific diseases and conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The book concludes with information about CAM clinical trials, suggestions for further reading, and a directory of CAM resources.

Part 1: Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine defines CAM or integrative health, provides statistics on CAM use in the United States, and describes how to evaluate web-based CAM information. It also includes suggestions for selecting a CAM practitioner.

Part 2: Whole Medical Systems explains systems of medicine that were built upon theories and practices that developed separately, and often independently, from the standard approach to medicine used among physicians in Western nations. These include traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, and others.

Part 3: Manipulative Practices and Movement Therapies describes procedures based on the theory that different types of body repositioning can have an effect on health and well-being. Chiropractic medicine, kinesiotherapy, massage therapy, Rolfing structural integration, and Feldenkrais method are other techniques that are explained.

Part 4: Mind–Body Medicine discusses therapies that rely on focus and relaxation. These include biofeedback, meditation, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, guided imagery, Qi gong, tai chi, and yoga. This part also addresses spirituality as a form of CAM therapy.

Part 5: Biologically Based Practices provides facts about nutrition and health, dietary and antioxidant supplements, herbal medicine, and botanical products—including the medical/recreational use of marijuana. It also explains biologically based practices, such as oral probiotics, enzyme therapy, and others. In addition, specialized diets (such as Fad diets and detoxification diets) are discussed.

Part 6: Energy Medicine describes practices purported to induce healing by manipulating the body’s life force. These include acupuncture, which has been studied extensively related to its role in pain management and nausea relief, and others about which less is known, such as magnet therapy, therapeutic touch, and Reiki.

Part 7: Creative Arts Therapies discusses how art, color, music, and dance therapies can affect health in a positive way.

Part 8: CAM Treatments for Cancer and Other Diseases and Conditions offers information about the types of complementary health therapies that are used most frequently for cancer, pain management, asthma, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and other health concerns.

Part 9: If You Need More Information includes facts about finding CAM clinical trials. It also provides suggestions for additional reading and a directory of organizations that provide information about CAM therapies and practices.