Integrating complementary/alternative medicine into primary care: evaluating the evidence and appropriate implementation

Abstract

The frequency with which patients utilize treatments encompassed by the term complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) is well documented. A number of these therapies are beginning to be integrated into contemporary medical practice. This article examines three of them: osteopathic manipulation, yoga, and acupuncture, with a focus on their physiological effects, efficacy in treating medical conditions commonly encountered by practitioners, precautions or contraindications, and ways in which they can be incorporated into clinical practice. Physicians should routinely obtain information about use of CAM as part of their patient history and should consider their role based on physiological effects and clinical research results.

Keywords:

• integrative medicine
• osteopathic manipulation
• yoga
• acupuncture therapy

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Integrating complementary/alternative medicine into primary care: evaluating the evidence and appropriate implementation [Corrigendum]

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Kyle Silva, DO and Brian Lee, DO for consenting to and allowing us to use their photographic images in Figures 1 and 2.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.