In today's world, many people assume that medical technology and the latest treatments are always the best option. However, different techniques are used around the world to treat diseases and foods. These methods fall into the category of complementary and alternative medicine. According to Sandra Augustyn Lawton in Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Teens, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be defined as “a group of different medical and health care systems, practices, and methods.” products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine” (Lawton, 2007, p.3). Although complementary and alternative medicines are often interpreted as the same thing, complementary methods are used in coordination with conventional methods, and alternative methods are used in place of conventional medical methods (Lawton, 2007, p.3). Another method used is integrative medicine, which uses conventional medicine and CAM together because there is proven scientific evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of the treatment plan (Lawton, 2007, p.3). Complementary and alternative medicines are used around the world in many different countries, some more specifically than others. CAMs can be divided into various categories. These include natural products, mind-body medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, and entire medical systems (National Center, 2011, para. 4). Each of these categories includes a variety of medical practices, medicines, and treatments. Natural products include nutritional supplements and probiotics. Nutritional supplements can be anything from multivitamins to supplemental herbs. Probiotics are live bacteria found in the digestive tract (National Center, 2011, para.6). H...... middle of paper ......m/TaoismMedicine.htmTraditional Chinese Medicine: An Introduction [NCCAM Backgrounder]. (n.d.). National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] - home page of nccam.nih.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/chinesemed.htmWhat is osteopathic medicine?.(nd).American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from www.aacom.org/about/osteomed/Pages/default.aspxWhat is music therapy | What is music therapy? | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). (nd).American Music Therapy Association | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/What is the Alexander Technique?.(nd).The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique. Retrieved December 14, 2011, from http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm