The Status of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies (CAM) in Canada

CAM and the Canadian Medical Profession

Each year, a significant number of Canadians turn to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and its popularity continues to grow. Increasingly, people are seeking approaches that support not only physical health, but emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being as well. As a result, Canadians are exploring therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, mindfulness practices, naturopathy, massage therapy, and energy healing alongside conventional medical care.

The growing use of CAM raises important questions within the Canadian healthcare system. How are these therapies being utilized? To what extent are they being integrated into patient care? What standards of evidence should be applied when evaluating complementary approaches? And perhaps most importantly, are healthcare professionals adequately prepared to guide patients who are already using these therapies?

 Integrative Medicine has evolved considerably in the United States

At present, many Canadian physicians receive little formal education in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (IM), leaving gaps in knowledge and patient guidance. Yet public interest continues to rise. Over the past two decades, Integrative Medicine has evolved considerably in the United States, where it is now recognized as a developing medical sub-specialty and supported by major academic institutions and hospital systems. The U.S. has become a world leader in integrative medical education and research.

Canada, however, remains considerably behind.

The current state of Integrative Medicine education for Canadian physicians is outlined in Integrative Medicine in the Canadian Medical Profession: Certificate of Added Competence Proposal for Physicians (National Library of Medicine, 2023). The proposal examines the landscape and challenges of advancing Integrative Medicine within Canadian medical colleges and healthcare systems. Dr. Ester Konigsberg notes that the proposal seeks to support the development of formal competencies and educational pathways for physicians practicing Integrative Medicine in Canada.

The article also references findings from the Fraser Institute survey, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Use and Public Attitudes 1997, 2006, and 2016, which revealed that seventy-nine percent of Canadians had used some form of CAM therapy, while more than half (56%) had utilized a CAM therapy within the year preceding the survey. Although many individuals sought CAM therapies for general wellness and prevention, more than half of CAM visits were also related to specific medical concerns.

Importantly, Canadians surveyed expressed growing interest in Integrative Medicine — an approach that combines conventional medical care with evidence-informed complementary therapies in a collaborative and patient-centred model.

Growing interest in combining traditional & modern healthcare practices

Canadian Studies in Complementary and Integrative Health

Canada has conducted a number of studies exploring complementary and integrative health approaches, reflecting a growing interest in bridging traditional, holistic, and modern healthcare practices.

Some notable Canadian initiatives include:

The Alberta Complementary and Alternative Medicine Study: This research explored the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by patients with chronic diseases. It aimed to understand patients' motivations and experiences with CAM therapies.

The Toronto Complementary Medicine Research Group: This group has been involved in multiple studies assessing the efficacy and safety of various complementary therapies, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy, and energy healing. Their work often collaborates with hospitals and academic institutions to evaluate integrative health models.

The Canadian Research Institute of Spirituality and Healing (CRISH): CRISH has conducted research into the impact of spiritual and energy healing practices on mental health and overall well-being. Their studies often involve psychometric assessments and qualitative interviews with participants, exploring how energy-healing practices influence emotional and psychological health.

The University of British Columbia's Integrative Oncology Research: Focused on the role of complementary therapies in cancer care, this research examines how integrative approaches, including energy healing, can improve quality of life, manage symptoms, and support conventional cancer treatments.

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine's Pilot Studies: These studies investigate the use of naturopathic treatments, including dietary supplements, lifestyle counselling, homeopathy, and energy healing practices, in managing chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes.

Langara College's Holistic Health Studies: Research emerging from Langara College’s Holistic Health Studies Department explored Integrative Energy Healing within the framework of Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga philosophy. This clinically grounded theory research examined healing as a multidimensional process involving emotional, psychological, spiritual, and subtle energetic transformation.

The outcome of this work was published in Healing as Yoga Sadhana: A Subtle Energy Approach to Addiction Treatment (Lamb, 2010), which explored healing as “the work of the soul” and examined the role of subtle energy approaches within addiction recovery and holistic care.

The Integrative Energy Healing Certificate Program also collaborated with the Fraser Health on research examining the effectiveness of Integrative Energy Healing therapy in supporting nurses who had experienced trauma and occupational stress. This work reflected a growing interest in trauma-informed, integrative approaches within healthcare settings and professional caregiver support. Research emerging from Langara College’s Holistic Health Studies Department explored Integrative Energy Healing within the framework of Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga philosophy. This clinically grounded theory research examined healing as a multidimensional process involving emotional, psychological, spiritual, and subtle energetic transformation.

The outcome of this work was published in Healing as Yoga Sadhana: A Subtle Energy Approach to Addiction Treatment (Lamb, 2010), which explored healing as “the work of the soul” and examined the role of subtle energy approaches within addiction recovery and holistic care.

The Integrative Energy Healing Certificate Program also collaborated with the Fraser Health on research examining the effectiveness of Integrative Energy Healing therapy in supporting nurses who had experienced trauma and occupational stress. This work reflected a growing interest in trauma-informed, integrative approaches within healthcare settings and professional caregiver support.

Studies on energy healing have yielded some positive outcomes; however, there is insufficient high-level evidence to prove its effectiveness.

• Pain relief

  
  

  Some studies have shown that energy healing can help with pain: 

  • A 2018 meta-analysis found that reiki therapy reduced pain scores compared to control groups. 

  • A 2014 review suggested that reiki therapy may help reduce pain and anxiety. 

  • A review of studies on qigong for musculoskeletal pain found that qigong can soothe pain in adults with chronic pain. 

    
    

• Other benefits

  
  

  Some studies have shown that energy healing can improve other health outcomes, including: 

  • Quality of life in cocaine-dependent adults 

  • Function in people with arthritis 

  • Complications from bone marrow transplant 

  • Anxiety levels in patients who had coronary artery bypass graft 

    
    

• Challenges

  
  

  However, there are also challenges with energy healing research, including: 

  • Randomized placebo-controlled trials have shown no effect on disease progression or symptoms. 

  • Studies have had issues with study design, such as inadequate reporting, lack of blinding, and lack of reliability. 

  • More robust trials are needed to better understand which elements of energy healing interventions are associated with positive outcomes.

These studies show Canada's commitment to exploring, validating, and integrating complementary and integrative health approaches within its healthcare framework. This not only aims to enhance the quality of patient care but also seeks to broaden the spectrum of treatment options available to patients navigating the complexities of their health and wellness journeys.

By systematically investigating various complementary therapies—ranging from acupuncture and herbal medicine to mindfulness practices, energy healing, and nutritional interventions—Canada is positioning itself to be a progressive healthcare paradigm. This approach recognizes the importance of holistic health and the value of treating the individual as a whole, rather than merely addressing isolated symptoms.

Furthermore, the integration of these modalities into the mainstream healthcare system reflects an evolving understanding of patient needs and preferences, promoting a more personalized and patient-centred model of care.

Through rigorous research and validation processes, these studies not only contribute to the scientific understanding of these health approaches but also empower healthcare practitioners to offer a more comprehensive array of therapeutic options.

Ultimately, this commitment is a testament to Canada's proactive stance on enhancing health outcomes and improving the overall patient experience within its healthcare landscape.

References

• The Fraser Institute

• Integrative Medicine in the Canadian Medical Profession: Certificate of Added Competence Proposal for Physicians (National Library of Medicine, 2023)

• The Alberta Complementary and Alternative Medicine Study

• The Toronto Complementary Medicine Research Group

• The Canadian Research Institute of Spirituality and Healing (CRISH)

• The University of British Columbia's Integrative Oncology Research

• The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine's Pilot Studies

• Lanaga College Holistic Health Studies

  
  

Keywords: integrative medicine, education, functional medicine, health policy, energy healing

Author

Mara Hagglund, CAIEHP, holistic health practitioner began her career as a photographic model. Following this she became a fashion designer, and project manager then moved into holistic health at Langara College, to study healing modalities. Her studies included mind-body healing, the effects of stress and emotion on health, and the body’s subtle energetic and bioelectrical systems. She later became a senior research intern in Holistic Health Studies.

She went on to serve as a lead instructor, clinical supervisor, and faculty member within the Health and Human Services Department at Langara College, contributing to curriculum development, experiential education, and the mentorship of emerging holistic health practitioners, and supporting local internship and community-based learning initiatives. Her work has focused on trauma-informed and integrative approaches to healing, exploring the relationship between the nervous system, emotional well-being, embodied awareness, and subtle energy-based therapeutic practices.