What does complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) primarily involve?

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) primarily involves methods not typically recognized in conventional medicine. This encompasses a wide range of health care approaches, practices, and products that are outside of mainstream medical treatments. CAM can include practices such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, chiropractic care, yoga, and meditation, among others.

The essence of CAM is that these methods often focus on holistic approaches to health, meaning they consider the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being. Many individuals seek out CAM treatments to complement traditional medical care or when they are looking for alternative options to address their health issues.

This is why the correct option emphasizes that CAM consists of methods that are not generally accepted by conventional medicine – it highlights the difference between standard medical practice and these alternative avenues. In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that do not accurately capture the full meaning and scope of CAM. For example, conventional treatments only represent a part of medicine rather than the alternative or complementary aspects. Evidence-based practices are not always a characteristic of CAM, which can include approaches that lack extensive scientific backing. Lastly, restricting discussion to prescription medications excludes the diverse modalities that are derived from CAM practices.