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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses non-
conventional approaches to healing beyond traditional medicine.
Complementary medicine and alternative medicine are two
different approaches. Complementary medicine is any form of
therapy used in combination with other alternative treatments or
standard/conventional medicine. Complementary therapy usually
serves to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Alternative medicine is used alone without recommended standard
treatment. Integrative therapy combines conventional medicine
and complementary and alternative medicine. Some scientific
evidence shows integrative therapy to be safe and beneficial.
Some people use complementary treatments to relieve symptoms or
side effects while undergoing standard/conventional treatment
(such as pain relief during cancer treatment).
Standard/conventional medicine refers to medical treatments that
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