The initial reason for writing Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Evidence- Based Approach was the need to examine research evidence and claims purported by advocates, clinicians, and researchers of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) regarding its effectiveness. Both of us had previous experience with certain of these therapies since we had worked with American Indians who used alternative spiritual- indigenous medical approaches to health-related problems. Joseph Jacobs, a Mohawk, grew up using many of these healing practices. Later, we were involved at a national level establishing the first Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).The office was set up as a mandate from.
