Alternative medicine is built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, alternative medicines have evolved earlier than and apart from the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medicine practices that have been developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of alternative medicines that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese alternative medicine. Some forms of alternative medicine are as follows:
Acupuncture is a method of healing developed in China at least 2,000 years ago. Acupuncture describes a group of procedures involving stimulation of points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate alternative medicine from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. Acupuncture has been studied scientifically in in-depth studies. It involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by a person’s hands or by electrical stimulation.
Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine that involves the use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being. There are many different aromas that produce different positive health effects in individuals.
Chiropractic medicine is an alternative medicine that focuses on the relationship between bodily structure (the spine) and function, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.
Massage is an alternative medicine that uses massage therapists to manipulate muscle and connective tissue to enhance function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being.
Naturopathic medicine, or naturopathy, is an alternative medicine that states there is a healing power in the body that establishes, maintains, and restores health. Alternative medicine practitioners work with the patient with a goal of supporting this power, through treatments such as nutrition and lifestyle counseling, dietary supplements, medicinal plants, exercise, homeopathy, and treatments from traditional Chinese medicine.
Osteopathic alternative medicine is a form of conventional medicine that, in part, emphasizes diseases arising in the musculoskeletal system.
Qi Gong is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation, and regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of qi (an ancient term given to what is believed to be vital energy) in the body, improve blood circulation, and enhance immune function.
Reiki is a Japanese word representing Universal Life Energy. Reiki is based on the belief that when spiritual energy is channeled through a Reiki practitioner, the patient's spirit is healed, which in turn heals the physical body.
Therapeutic Touch is derived from an ancient technique called laying-on of hands. It is based on the premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient's recovery; healing is promoted when the body's energies are in balance; and, by passing their hands over the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the current name for an ancient system of health care from China. TCM is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi is proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapies, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and remedial massage.
By R. S. Wagner