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What is Alternative Medicine?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Alternative medicine is defined as any health practice that takes the place of, or is incompatible with, conventional Western medicine. A distinction must be made between alternative medicine and complementary medicine. Complementary medicine may involve nontraditional medical practices, but is undertaken along with traditional healing approaches. Alternative medicine implies using only nontraditional methods.

Alternative medicine includes a broad range of practices. Some healing therapies are based on ancient Chinese beliefs, like acupuncture and the use of certain herbal compounds. Others focus on Hindu, or Ayurvedic, therapies including diet changes, the practice of yoga, and emphasizing the connection of mind, body, and spirit.

Massage is a popular alternative healing technique.
Massage is a popular alternative healing technique.

Mind, body, and spirit healing is also championed as holistic health, and can be alternative or complementary. Dr. Deepak Chopra, for example, practices medicine in this way, leaning more toward alternative than conventional thinking, although he holds a Western medical degree. His teachings have been hotly contested in the medical community.

Some other examples of this type of medicine include massage, meditation, chiropractic techniques and practice, spiritual healing, exercise practices like Tai Chi, and aromatherapy. This is just a short list of an almost inexhaustible supply of alternative therapies. Many people use some form of alternative medicine when they take vitamins or herbal supplements without consulting a doctor. For example, many people who contract a cold use Airborne, a nutritional supplement, instead of seeing a doctor. With no traditional medical advice, the user of Airborne practices alternative medicine.

Infertility acupuncture is an alternative health care option that is increasing in popularity among Western physicians.
Infertility acupuncture is an alternative health care option that is increasing in popularity among Western physicians.

One problem with vitamins and herbal supplements used in non-traditional medicine is that most are classified as nutritional supplements. Since they are not classed as medication, they are not subject to the kind of scrutiny and testing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally uses. So while these supplements may claim results, the results do not have to be proved in clinical trials.

Aromatherapy is one example of alternative medicine.
Aromatherapy is one example of alternative medicine.

Ephedra, for example, was not given the same scrutiny as prescribed medications for weight loss. As such, there were no controls to determine whether taking ephedra could be dangerous. It did help some lose weight, but the cost was high. Once deaths began to occur from the use of ephedra, the FDA pulled it from the market. Beforehand, since ephedra was a nutritional supplement, the FDA did not test it and thus lost the chance to save some lives. Other herbal remedies have specific interactions with medications and may pose more danger.

Yoga is one type of alternative treatment.
Yoga is one type of alternative treatment.

Proponents of herbal therapy argue that the FDA has frequently missed things when testing “approved” drugs. The drugs Vioxx and Seroquel have recently been found to cause serious side effects, resulting in wrongful death and injury claims. There are numerous examples of the FDA approving drugs without lengthy testing, or approving drugs when the clinical results were manufactured or dubious.

Some swear by the ancient practice of cupping for a number of health and beauty effects.
Some swear by the ancient practice of cupping for a number of health and beauty effects.

Alternative practitioners can often point to thousands of years of anecdotal evidence that suggests certain alternative practices are successful. The Western medical community largely stands opposed to such practices, but as complementary medicine has advanced, there are now medical schools that teach “alternative” methods. Many physicians now embrace complementary medicine because it creates more options for addressing a medical condition.

Meditation is one form of alternative medicine, as it promotes relaxation and can help relieve stress.
Meditation is one form of alternative medicine, as it promotes relaxation and can help relieve stress.

Some people turn to non-traditional medicine when the traditional medical community can offer them no help or cure for a condition. Again, anecdotal evidence suggests certain therapies may help to improve quality of life for these people. Western physicians acknowledge the more established methods of non-traditional medicine and recommend alternative therapies for patients they cannot help through traditional medicine. While some physicians remain skeptical, alternative medicine is often looked upon as a last resort strategy.

Chiropractic wellness and medicine is considered a holistic and alternative theory of medicine.
Chiropractic wellness and medicine is considered a holistic and alternative theory of medicine.

Unfortunately, most health insurance companies do not provide coverage of non-traditional medicine of any kind. If one is lucky, chiropractic care may be included in a health plan. Generally, though, one has to pay for acupuncture, yoga classes, nutritional supplements or any other alternative therapy. Caution should be observed when embarking on an alternative medicine health plan, because most governments do not regulate alternative practices, and as with traditional medicine, there are unscrupulous or unqualified practitioners.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

aplenty

@ cougars- I have actually found that acupuncture is good for pain management. I have a bad knee, and I get regular acupuncture treatments to help deal with the pain. My knee often feels better after acupuncture, and the treatments can even reduce swelling. Over the six months or so that I have been going to treatments, I have been able to go back out to the golf course and play basketball again. It has definitely been a better alternative than taking daily medications or surgery. I am a firm believer that alternative medicine therapy has real benefits.

cougars

I have regular alternative medicine treatments by an acupuncturist, and they are offered at my local urgent care facility, along with minor plastic surgery.

I have had treatments for smoking cessation, and they have worked better than any expensive drug on the market. The treatments are also a lot cheaper than the drugs, and I had quit in about two weeks. The treatments helped get rid of the urges, so I didn't even have to try to quit. I just started to dislike the taste of cigarettes, notice the smell more, and did not have the urge to light up. I went from smoking a half pack a day and occasional cigars to two or three cigars a year.

highlighter

Most herbalists would appreciate it if the government would allow the FDA to classify many herbs as medicines so that they can actually carry out studies that show they can cure, prevent, or diagnose diseases. The only reason that this does not happen is that the major drug companies lobby against it. It would make alternative medicine mainstream and eat into their profits. Traditional medicines take billions of dollars of research and investment to develop, so anything that cuts into the profit of these drugs would not be taken seated by these drug companies. The irony of the situation is that most of our drugs are synthesized from natural remedies, and most of our diseases are the result of diet and lifestyle habits.

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    • Massage is a popular alternative healing technique.
      By: dgmata
      Massage is a popular alternative healing technique.
    • Infertility acupuncture is an alternative health care option that is increasing in popularity among Western physicians.
      By: photok21
      Infertility acupuncture is an alternative health care option that is increasing in popularity among Western physicians.
    • Aromatherapy is one example of alternative medicine.
      By: dolphfyn
      Aromatherapy is one example of alternative medicine.
    • Yoga is one type of alternative treatment.
      By: Deklofenak
      Yoga is one type of alternative treatment.
    • Some swear by the ancient practice of cupping for a number of health and beauty effects.
      By: Sorin Georgescu
      Some swear by the ancient practice of cupping for a number of health and beauty effects.
    • Meditation is one form of alternative medicine, as it promotes relaxation and can help relieve stress.
      By: kovaricekpavel
      Meditation is one form of alternative medicine, as it promotes relaxation and can help relieve stress.
    • Chiropractic wellness and medicine is considered a holistic and alternative theory of medicine.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Chiropractic wellness and medicine is considered a holistic and alternative theory of medicine.