Alternative medicine is growing in popularity as people search for more natural ways to keep good health. Here are 5 examples of alternative medicine which are frequently used to cure a wide assortment of chronic and acute medical conditions. Acupuncture. Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese therapeutic technique which involves laying special cups on the patient’s skin to produce a gentle, even suctioned flow of blood. The practitioner also manipulates the body by applying pressure into specific points on the body to ease the pain and promote healing.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). CAM includes various types of therapies considered to be “alternative” or “complementary” medical treatments that have not been proven effective in conventional scientific research. For example, homeopathy is a form of CAM, which does not require a prescription; however, it cannot be considered a cure because it does not have the same healing powers of conventional medical treatments. Other examples of complementary and alternative medicines include acupuncture, herbal treatments, Reiki, and chiropractic medicine.
Naturalism. Some health professionals believe that traditional western medicine lacks the ability to cure certain conditions because they lack specific and identifiable elements. They feel that the human body is complex and that disease occurs when something causes a disruption in the delicate balance of individual cells. Examples of alternative therapies which many faith healers promote include acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and meditation.
Interdisciplinary. Some practitioners who practice complementary therapy and other forms of interdisciplinary modalities work in conjunction with conventional medical treatment. Some examples of these practitioners include naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and dietitians.
Non-traditional. There are also alternative practitioners who do not use pharmaceuticals or surgery in their practices. These examples include chiropractors, acupuncturists, and herbalists. These practitioners often work in collaboration with conventional medical treatments to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Conventional Western Medicine. One of the most common examples of alternative medicine is that which comes from the Western medical tradition. Many patients turn to traditional medical treatments for various conditions because they are not sure what else can be done for them. Examples of these include chiropractors, acupuncturists, and homeopathic practitioners. These holistic medical professionals often emphasize the need to improve the mind, body, and spirit in order to achieve a higher level of wellness.
Biomedical. Another example of Alternative medicine practices used in the United States is biomedicine. This includes methods such as nutrition, preventive care, and infectious disease prevention. It is often used in conjunction with traditional medicine practices. For example, there are public health programs that provide guidelines and information about biomedical therapies and diets. The federal government along with state and local governments offer financial incentives to help individuals who want to become involved in biomedical research.
Alternative medicine has many examples of how it is used instead of traditional Western medicine. While this type of medicine has been around for some time, the growth in interest in this field is now growing at a rapid pace. These examples of alternative biomedical practices allow patients to explore new options for the treatment of their illnesses and injuries. They provide hope to individuals who would otherwise have no other options available to them.
Natural. Some examples of alternative medical treatments include naturopathy and herbal medicine. Naturopathy involves the study of illness and the treatment of the root cause of the ailment. Herbal medicine, on the other hand, involves the use of plants to heal wounds and other types of illnesses. Both of these practices are commonly referred to as alternative treatments because they do not fall under the category of mainstream conventional medical treatments. Many doctors believe that naturopathy and herbal medicine are effective, but critics argue that there is not enough scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness.
Homeopathic and In Vitro. Homeopathy and in Vitro science are examples of alternative medicine that have been around for over one hundred years. These medical treatments are used instead of conventional medical treatments for various conditions. A homeopathic remedy is usually given to help restore the body’s natural balance and function.
Chinese Medicine. Chinese medicine also falls into the category of alternative therapies. Unlike western medicine, most of the medical treatments used in Chinese medicine are part of a system or discipline known as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). TCM uses the theories of traditional Chinese medicine and natural healing. Examples of alternative therapies that are part of the larger field of TCM include acupuncture and qigong.
