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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Aug 15.
Published in final edited form as: Clin Exp Optom. 2008 Mar;91(2):166–176. doi: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2007.00224.x

Table 1.

Definitions of the nine CAM areas used in the questionnaire

Nine CAM areas
Meditation
Definition: In meditation, a person learns to focus his attention and suspend the stream of thoughts that normally occupy the mind. This practice is believed to result in a state of greater physical relaxation, mental calmness and psychological balance.
Mind-body therapies
Examples: imagery, visualisation, special breathing techniques, relaxation techniques
Definition: Mind-body medicine focuses on the interactions among the brain, mind, body and behaviour, and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual and behavioural factors can directly affect health.
Yoga
Examples: Vinyasa, Hatha, Power, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hot yoga, Dahn
Definition: A system of exercises practised to promote control of the body and mind through various postures, breathing and meditation.
Movement therapies
Examples: tai chi, qi gong, Feldenkrais method (‘Awareness through movement’), Alexander movement techniques, Trager approach (‘Mentastics’).
Definitions:

  • Alexander technique: Patient education/guidance in ways to improve posture and movement, and to use muscles efficiently.

  • Feldenkrais method: Group classes and hands-on lessons designed to improve the coordination of the whole person in comfortable, effective and intelligent movement.

  • Trager bodywork: Slight rocking and shaking of the patient’s trunk and limbs in a rhythmic fashion.

Energy therapies
Examples: acupressure, biofeedback, cranio-sacral therapy, hypnosis, polarity, reflexology, reiki, zero balancing, therapeutic touch
Definition: Therapies involving energy fields are based on the concept that human beings are infused with a subtle form of energy. Vital energy is believed to flow throughout the material human body but it has not been unequivocally measured by means of conventional instrumentation. Nonetheless, therapists claim that they can work with this subtle energy, see it with their own eyes and use it to effect changes in the physical body and influence health.
Acupuncture
Definition: The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
Massage therapy
Definition: Assortment of techniques involving manipulation of the soft tissues of the body through pressure and movement.
Spirituality/Religion
Definition: To utter or address a prayer or prayers to God, a deity or another object of worship. Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or the supernatural.
Herbal therapies/Aromatherapy
Definition: A type of dietary supplement that contains herbs either singly or in mixtures (as in tea) ingested or inhaled for relaxation. An herb (also called a botanical) is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavour and/or therapeutic properties.