Subscribe to healthy aging email updates. Living with chronic
health problems can be hard. You might be willing to try just
about anything to feel better. But be smart and talk to your
doctor before buying a product that sounds too good to be true.
Quacks — people who sell unproven remedies — target older
people. Those who fall victim to their scams waste money and put
their health at risk. Complementary and alternative medicine The
treatments used by most doctors are considered conventional
medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consists
of a group of health care practices and products that are
considered out of the mainstream. An "out-of-the-mainstream"
treatment is called complementary if you use it together with
conventional medicine. For example, using aromatherapy to lessen
discomfort after surgery. A treatment is called alternative if
you use it instead of conventional medicine. For example, using
acupuncture as your only treatment for low-back pain. Many
studies have looked at how well