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Saudi Diploma in Family Medicine

Center of Post Graduate Studies in Family Medicine
Complementary and
Alternative Medicine
Dr. Zekeriya Aktrk
zekeriya.akturk@gmail.com
www.aile.net
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Objectives
At the end of this session, the participants should be
able to;
explain the concepts, assumptions and beliefs of
complementary medicine
understand and appreciate cultural factors and health
related beliefs of the community
appreciate health resources of the community and relate it
with health cost
review the evidence behind complementary therapies
describe common complementary therapies including
Acupuncture
Ayurveda
Herbal therapy
Bioenergy
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Definitions
Alternative medicine includes practices that
differ from conventional medicine. A typical
definition is "every available approach to healing
that does not fall within the realm of conventional
medicine"
The term Complementary medicine refers to
nonconventional treatments used in addition
(complementary) to conventional medicine
prescribed by a physician.
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31077
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Acupuncture
Chiropractic
Ayurveda
Herbal therapy
Bioenergy
Cupping

What kind of
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Acupuncture
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Acupuncture
is a technique of inserting and manipulating
filiform needles into points on the body
with the aim of relieving pain and for
therapeutic purposes.
The idea is to establish a smooth flow of the
vital energy Chi in the Yin and Yang
channels of the body.
Acupuncture: the Chinese practice of piercing specific areas of the body along peripheral nerves with fine needles
to relieve pain, induce surgical anesthesia, and for therapeutic purposes.
Dorland's Pocket Medical Dictionary, 25th ed. W. B. Saunders Co., 1995. ISBN 0-7216-5738-9
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Ear acupuncture
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Chiropractic
is a complementary and alternative medicine
health care profession that focuses on diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders
of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of
these disorders on the functions of the nervous
system and general health.
It emphasizes manual therapy including spinal
adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue
manipulation.
Council on Chiropractic Education (2007).
Standards for Doctor of Chiropractic programs and requirements for institutional status
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Chiropractic
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Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of
health care that is native to the Indian
subcontinent.
the word yus meaning "life," "life
principle," or "long life" and the word veda,
which refers to a system of "knowledge."
Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the
"knowledge of life,"
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Three-Dosha system
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
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Pancha Karma: Five actions
Vamana is a special medicated vomiting procedure to
remove Kapha toxins (mucus, phlegm) from the sinuses,
lungs and mainly the stomach.
Virechana is a process of purgation used to flush Pitta
toxins from the small intestine
Basti is a medicated enema to remove toxins from the
colon and to tone and rejuvenate the colon.
Nasya is a group of herbal therapies applied through the
nose.
Blood letting removes the excess toxins in the bloodA
modern listing includes Shiro Dhara or hot-oil head
massage.
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Bioenergy
"bio-energy" - the energy of life.
Every cell is surrounded and supported by
this energy which also acts like a miniature
wire, providing both a blueprint for the
physical body and also as an information
network between the body, mind and spirit.
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The Chakras in Bioenergy
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How does it work?
Practitioners use the enhanced sensitivity of their
hands to scan the energy field surrounding the
body with the purpose of determining where
energy is flowing and where it may be blocked.
They then work to clear these interruptions and
restore a healing flow of energy to the bio-energy
field. This allows the body's self healing
mechanisms to kick in.
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Cupping
Fire cupping is a method of applying acupressure by
creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin
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Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased
with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) said,
Indeed the best of remedies you have is
cupping [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)].
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Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with
him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) said, If
there was something excellent to be used
as a remedy then it is cupping. [Saheeh
Sunan Abi Dawud (3857), Saheeh Sunan
ibn Maajah (3476)].

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In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn
Masud (may Allaah be pleased with him)
the angels said, Oh Muhammad, order
your Ummah (nation) with cupping.
[Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)].
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Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased
with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) said, I did
not pass by an angel from the angels on
the night journey except that they all said
to me: upon you is cupping, O
Muhammad. [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah
(3477)].
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Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) said,
Indeed in cupping there is a cure.
[Saheeh Muslim (5706)].
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Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with
him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu
layhi Wasallam ) said, Healing is in three
things: in the incision of the cupper, in
drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire,
but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from
cauterization (branding with fire). [Saheeh al-
Bukhaaree (5681), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah
(3491)].
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Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with
him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) said,
Whoever performs cupping on the 17th,
19th or 21st day (of the Islamic month)
then it is a cure for every disease.
[Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3861)].
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Cupping is used for
Headaches
Salma (may Allaah be pleased with him), the
servant of the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu
layhi Wasallam ) said, Whenever someone
would complain of a headache to the Messenger
of Allaah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam), he
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) would advise
them to perform cupping. [Saheeh Sunan Abi
Dawud (3858)].
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Magic
Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allaah have mercy on
him) mentions that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) cupped his
head when he was afflicted with magic and
that it is from the best of cures for this if
done correctly. [Zaad al Maaad (4/125-
126)].
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Poison
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with
him) reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned
meat to the Messenger of Allaah ( Sallallaahu layhi
Wasallam) so he (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) sent
her a message saying, what caused you to do
that? She replied, If you really are a Prophet
then Allah will inform you of it and if you are not
then I would save the people from you! When the
Messenger (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) felt pain
from it, he (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) performed
cupping. Once he travelled while in Ihram and felt
that pain and hence performed cupping. [Ahmed
(1/305)].
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Strengthening Ones Intelligence And Memory
Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported
that the Messenger (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam )
said, Cupping on an empty stomach is best. In it is
a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and
the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of
Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping on
Wednesday, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday to
be safe. Perform cupping on Monday and Tuesday
for it is the day that Allaah saved Ayoub from the
trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday.
You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped)
on Wednesday or Wednesday night. [Saheeh Sunan
Ibn Majah (3487)].
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The Best Days For Cupping
The 17th, 19th and 21st of the Islamic
month which coincides with Monday,
Tuesday or Thursday. Anas ibn Maalik
(may Allaah be pleased with him) reported
that the Messenger (Sallallaahu layhi
Wasallam) said, Whoever wants to
perform cupping then let him look for
17th, 19th and 21st [Saheeh Sunan Ibn
Majah (3486)].
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Areas of Cupping
Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) was treated with cupping three times on the two veins
at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3860),
Ibn Maajah (3483)].
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) was cupped on his head. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree
(5699)].
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam ) used to cup his head and would call it (the place at the
top of the head) Umm Mugheeth. [Saheehah (753), Saheeh al-Jaami (4804)].
Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) was treated with cupping on his hip for a pain in that
area. [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3863)].
Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
(Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) was treated with cupping when he was in Ihram, on the
top of his foot, for a pain in that area. [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (1836)].
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, Cupping under the chin is
beneficial for pain in the teeth, face and throat, if it is done in its proper time. It purifies
the head and the jaws.
Cupping on the top of the foot is a substitution for the puncturing of the Saphena,
which is a large vein in the heel. It is beneficial for treating ulcers that occur on the
thighs and calves, the interruption of menses and skin irritation on the testicles.
Cupping at the bottom of the chest is beneficial for the treatment of sores, scabies and
mange on the thighs. It helps against gout, hemorrhoids, elephantiasis and itchiness on
the back. [Zaad al-Maaad, 4/58].