Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Bassett Healthcare is currently in the process of developing a coordinated CAM program that works towards integrating CAM therapies of proven efficacy with the best of conventional medicine. Initial plans involve expanding acupuncture services, implementing massage care, developing mindfulness-based stress reduction courses and expanding support and prayer group offerings.

While still in the development stages, Bassett does offer some CAM services to patients. These services include:

• Herbal therapies, vitamins and nutritional supplements recommended by some primary care practitioners.  Some herbal therapies and vitamins are available at the Outpatient Pharmacy.
• Art/music therapy and relaxation tapes provided to Inpatient Psychiatry patients
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction instruction for patients offered through the Bassett Healthcare-Richfield Springs health center
• Massage therapy, relaxation, therapeutic touch, guided imagery and spiritual prayer occasionally provided by seasoned, skilled inpatient nurses at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown
• Spiritual support and prayer provided by Pastoral Care and other clergy
• Support groups for cancer and HIV patients

CAM and Conventional Medicine

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), complementary and alternative health care and medical practices (CAM) are those that are not currently an integral part of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine asserts that diseases are primarily the result of external agents which disrupt biochemical processes or are of autoimmune origin, and treatment focuses on standardized treatment protocols. While conventional medicine does not ignore religion, spirituality or the mind-body connection, it does not routinely consider these aspects as part of a person's diagnosis and treatment.

Conventional American medicine differs from complementary and alternative medicine in that most CAM modalities emphasize the interactions between mind, body and spirit. CAM therapies are often called holistic because they explicitly consider the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. In addition, CAM therapies often focus on restoring internal balance, rather than attacking disease. Some CAM therapies have been practiced for thousands of years, while conventional medicine, a relatively newer approach to healing, has been the leading method of health care delivery in the United States for about a century.

It is important to note that some alternative therapies can be harmful, especially if they are used in place of mainstream medical care for serious illnesses for which there are effective conventional treatments. In fact, most CAM therapies of proven efficacy appear to serve more as a complement than an alternative to conventional medicine. More recently, the phrase "integrative medicine" has been coined to reflect the increasing acceptance and integration of these two systems to improve overall healthcare delivery.