Complementary, Integrative and Alternative Medicine: What the Terms Mean

Many Americans use medical treatments that are not part of mainstream medicine. Depending on how they are used, these go by different names:

• Complementary medicine is used alongside mainstream care — for example, acupuncture to ease the side effects of cancer treatment.
• Integrative medicine is when a provider or facility offers both mainstream and complementary care together.
• Alternative medicine is used instead of mainstream care.

What is known

The claims made for non-mainstream treatments can sound promising, but for many of them researchers do not yet know how safe they are or how well they work. Studies are under way to find out.

Lowering the risks

If you are considering a non-mainstream treatment:

• Talk with your doctor. It may have side effects or interact with medicines you take.
• Look up the research on it.
• Choose practitioners carefully.
• Tell all your doctors and practitioners about every kind of treatment you use.

Sources

• MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine): "Complementary and Integrative Medicine," with information from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.