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'''Complementary and alternative medicine''' (CAM) consists of medical treatments and therapies outside of what is traditionally taught in medical school or recognized for reimbursement by government health programs. Unlike conventional medical interventions and remedies, CAM treatments are not always proven through clinical trials.

'''Complementary and alternative medicine''' (CAM) consists of medical treatments and therapies outside of what is traditionally taught in medical school or recognized for reimbursement by government health programs. Unlike conventional medical interventions and remedies, CAM treatments are not always proven through clinical trials.

In the [[United States]], 36% of adults are using some form of CAM and spent $36 billion to $47 billion on CAM therapies in 1997.<ref>[http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camsurvey_fs1.htm "The Use of CAM in the United States", National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine]</ref>  The numbers of uninsured Americans increases by about 1 million persons per year, and the amount spent on CAM is likely much higher today.  If CAM is defined to include megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons, 62% of Americans use CAM.{{fact}}

In the [[United States]], 36% of adults are using some form of CAM and spent $36 billion to $47 billion on CAM therapies in 1997.<ref>[http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camsurvey_fs1.htm "The Use of CAM in the United States", National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine]</ref>  The numbers of uninsured Americans increases by about 1 million persons per year, and the amount spent on CAM is likely much higher today.  If CAM is defined to include megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons, 62% of Americans use CAM.{{fact}}

== Traditional Chinese medicine ==

== Traditional Chinese medicine ==

''See also:'' [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] and [[Atheism and unscientific medical practices]]

''See also:'' [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] and [[Atheism and medicine]]

[[File:Ncvjgfu.jpg|thumbnail|right|190px|The [[atheism|atheist]], [[communism|communist]] dictator [[Mao Zedong]] revived and heavily promoted Traditional Chinese medicine in China. He didn't believe in it himself, but pushed it as a cheap alternative to real medicine.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2018/10/01/who-endorses-tcm-expect-deaths-to-rise/#1f0c61f16418 WHO Endorses Traditional Chinese Medicine. Expect Deaths To Rise] by Steven Salzberg, Forbes magazine</ref> See also: [[Atheism and unscientific medical practices]] ]]

[[File:Ncvjgfu.jpg|thumbnail|right|190px|The [[atheism|atheist]], [[communism|communist]] dictator [[Mao Zedong]] revived and heavily promoted Traditional Chinese medicine in China. He didn't believe in it himself, but pushed it as a cheap alternative to real medicine.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2018/10/01/who-endorses-tcm-expect-deaths-to-rise/#1f0c61f16418 WHO Endorses Traditional Chinese Medicine. Expect Deaths To Rise] by Steven Salzberg, Forbes magazine</ref> See also: [[Atheism and medicine]] ]]

[[Traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM) is a type of traditional medicine based on 2,500+ years of [[China|Chinese]] medical practices which includes various types of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and dietary therapy, but recently has also incorporated modern Western medicine. The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine is poorly researched and supported.<ref>Shang, A.; Huwiler, K.; Nartey, L.; Jüni, P.; Egger, M. (2007). "Placebo-controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine and conventional medicine comparative study". International Journal of Epidemiology. 36 (5): 1086–92. doi:10.1093/ije/dym119. PMID 17602184.</ref>

[[Traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM) is a type of traditional medicine based on 2,500+ years of [[China|Chinese]] medical practices which includes various types of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and dietary therapy, but recently has also incorporated modern Western medicine. The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine is poorly researched and supported.<ref>Shang, A.; Huwiler, K.; Nartey, L.; Jüni, P.; Egger, M. (2007). "Placebo-controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine and conventional medicine comparative study". International Journal of Epidemiology. 36 (5): 1086–92. doi:10.1093/ije/dym119. PMID 17602184.</ref>

The Chinese government's National People’s Congress Standing Committee regulates TCM.<ref name="WebMD China TCM">{{cite web|title=China passes first law on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)|url=http://webmd.cn/en/china-passes-first-law-traditional-chinese-medicine-tcm/|publisher=WebMD China|date=December 28, 2016}}</ref>

The Chinese government's National People's Congress Standing Committee regulates TCM.<ref name="WebMD China TCM">{{cite web|title=China passes first law on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)|url=http://webmd.cn/en/china-passes-first-law-traditional-chinese-medicine-tcm/|publisher=WebMD China|date=December 28, 2016}}</ref>

Steven Salzberg wrote in ''Forbes'' magazine concerning TCM:

Steven Salzberg wrote in ''Forbes'' magazine concerning TCM: