Alternative medicine is “any healing practice “that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine, or that which has not been shown consistently to be effective”. They are classified into 5 broad categories by the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
The article lists here the alternative medicine types and their constituents.
1. Alternative Medical Systems – It is a system built upon the “combination of theory and practice” and mostly the alternative medicine types are non-Western origin. This constitutes traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine, homoeopathy, ayurveda, acupuncture, Native American healing practices, and naturopathic medicine.
2. Mind Body Interventions – Used in combination with traditional medical system, this medicine type approaches healing of health though psychological, and behavioral, social, and religious methods. They stress on the ability of the mind to influence body healing. This constitutes Yoga, hypnotherapy, meditation, music therapy, prayer therapy, humor therapy, dance therapy, guided imagery, and biofeedback.
3. Manipulative And Body Based Methods – Treatment is based on the manipulation is body movements. A sound knowledge of anatomy is a must. This constitutes Trager Approach, massage therapy, chiropractic, reflexology, Rolfing, acupressure, Alexander technique and therapeutic touch.
4. Biologically Based Therapies – This alternative medicine type uses methods and products (such as botanicals and animal derived extracts) derived from nature to help in healing. This constitutes dietary supplements, orthomolecular medicines, herbal products, diet and megavitamins.
5. Energy Therapies – It refers to “a variety of alternative and complementary treatments based on the use, modification, or manipulation of energy fields”. This constitutes therapeutic touch, reiki, pulsed fields, magnetic fields, Oi gong and alternating current.
Though the alternative medicine types and treatment abound in criticism from conventional medical practices owing to the diversification of treatment methods and some being non-Western, still they are widely used for healing.
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