Alternative Medicine Types

Alternative Medicine - what does it really mean?

Alternative Medicine is a widely used term that encompasses a wide range of health care practices, therapies and products. Before mankind had come to drugs and vaccines, and chemically based substances, the people had skills to cope with many diseases using natural resources. The true meaning of alternative healing involves all-natural treatments by using a non-conventional approach in place of conventional modern medicine (so-called western medicine). True alternative medicine is not common. Most people use non-conventional methods along with conventional drugs and treatments.

Alternative Medicine Types Scientifically Proven to Work

Although there are a dozen types of natural healing methods no one in the scientific community is actually interested in deeper research into natural remedies. Only a few true enthusiasts have really embarked on such research, in order to scientifically confirm which method really works. The reason, as always, lies in the money and organizations that fund this type of research. Anyway, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), alternative medicine therapies can be classified into several broad categories. Generally, it can be divided into two groups: Mind and Body approaches. However, some forms may not neatly fit into either of these groups, while some include both.

Herbal Medicine:

• Homeopathy (a whole system that stimulates the body to heal itself. The approach is called like cures like)
• Naturopathy (like homeopathy, this system stimulates the body to heal itself. Therapies include diet, herbs, massage and lifestyle changes)
• Ayurveda (a whole system that integrates the body, mind and spirit. Therapies also include herbs, yoga and massage)
• Traditional Chinese medicine (a whole system based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years. It includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, and exercise such as thai chi and qi gong )
• Herbs (as tea)

Body Practices

• Acupuncture (it stimulates specific points on the body by inserting needles through the skin)
• Chiropractic (manual therapy used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal system of patients through spinal manipulation, similar to osteopathy)
• Massage
• Movement therapies (pilates, dance and other countless types)

Mind Practices

• Hypnotherapy (it treats subconscious mind using the power of suggestion. The most popular "home" version today is SelfHypnosis)
• Naturopathy (like homeopathy, this system stimulates the body to heal itself. Therapies include diet, herbs, massage and lifestyle changes)
• Meditation (practices of quieting the mind)

Mind & Body Practices

• Yoga (combines physical postures or movement, breathing techniques, and meditation)
• Biofeedback (by using electrodes, a computer and certain software, it trains people how to manipulate involuntary processes with the power of their mind)
• Aromatherapy (it uses volatile aromatic compounds balance a person's body and mind and improve health and well being)

Spiritual Healing (Energy Medicine)

• Theta Healing (a type of meditation that heals through Theta brain waves, making changes on subconscious level)
• Reiki (life force energy treatment)
• Qi Gong (a system that integrates breathing techniques, physical postures and focused intention)