Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are treatments that fall outside of mainstream healthcare. These include, but are not limited to, Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Acupressure, Chiropractic care, Aromatherapy, Hypnosis, Massage Therapy and the use of Herbs and Spices. CAM have been in use for centuries and have been growing in popularity in recent years. Over 80% of the world population depends on herbal medicines and this is more prevalent in third world countries where access to more mainstream medication is not available or affordable.
This study aims to evaluate and understand what Muslim women’s thoughts on CAM are. Women are the leading users of CAM, both as consumers and as service providers. 2,3 This could be for several reasons such as:
- Not being satisfied with conventional medicine and the results they give.
- CAM align better with their values and beliefs towards health and life.
- Alternative therapies have been passed down through generations and are seen as genuine alternatives to conventional medicine.
- Being a cheaper alternative to conventional medication.
- Negating the side effects some conventional medication can bring about.
As such, their views on the subject matter are of utmost importance when trying to evaluate this practice. This report will try to analyse these reasons, determine whether CAM treatment is effective and safe, and to provide recommendations on CAM and whether they should be used as an alternative or in conjunction with conventional medicine.
We will also try to understand why they have these ideas about CAM, whether these ideas are relevant or if they are misconceptions due to lack of knowledge or tradition. We will then try to make recommendations on how to improve on this.
Part of the reason for the increase in acceptance of alternative medicine is the recognition of the powers of the mind over the body. There is increasing evidence that а patient’s attitude can sometimes shape the physical response, and this in part helps to illustrate why alternative medicine is more well received than it used to be. A patient who believes they are doing better, often will.
Alternative medicine has bееn gaining in both popularity and acceptance in recent years. Many cities now have а plethora of shops where а person interested in buying alternative medicines can go to find whatever they are seeking, in addition to being able to take advantage of many alternative medicine services at local practitioners’ offices.
The practice of conventional medicine is regulated by laws that ensure that practitioners are properly qualified and adhere to certain standards or codes of practice. This is called statutory professional regulation.
Professionals of two complementary and alternative treatments – osteopathy and chiropractic are regulated in the same way.
There is no statutory professional regulation of any other CAM practitioners which can leave CAM patients under-served, vulnerable to exploitation, and unable to realise meaningful recovery.
To read the report click 𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑬
