Alternative medicine refers to the practice of healing, which, in accordance with how it is defined by the modern Western world, does not use medical products and methods of treatment that can be regarded as standard care or conventional medicine. This includes acupuncture, yoga, meditation, traditional Chinese medicine, ayurveda, chiropractic, hypnosis, homeopathy and dietary therapies, among many others. Although those called alternative medicine have existed since ancient times, and the discovery of what is called standard treatment and traditional medicine appeared thousands of years later, alternative medicine should still be perceived as safe and useful.
Alternative medicine is now combined with free medicine, which is a treatment that is used in addition to traditional treatment methods prescribed by doctors, such as massage. Ordinary drug therapy drug therapy or alternative medicine is slowly recognized by ordinary doctors as a means of assisting patients with treatment. Some medical schools have already included the study of non-traditional methods in their curriculum. After alternative treatments have proven effective, they are then combined with conventional care. This is called integrative medicine. This practice involves the use of conventional treatment with CAM, for example, eating omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain a healthy heart that is different from the medication.
Alternative medicine can be traced thousands of years ago in Asian countries such as China and India. Alternative medicine that originated in India is called Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine. It has been practiced for thousands of years and constantly helps patients balance the harmony of mind, soul and body, which are believed to heal various diseases. As in China, traditional Chinese medicine has been used for more than 5,000 years, based on the concept of the balance of Taoist philosophy and Chinese culture. Meanwhile, Europe and other Western countries also used their own version of alternative medicine, called naturopathy, herbalism and hydrotherapy. In the United States, for example, gerbanism is a widely used alternative medicine, especially by Indians and those who grow plants.
Additional and alternative therapies are divided into five main groups:
- Whole medical systems - include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda
- Body medicine - uses therapy to balance body, mind, and spirit
- Biological practices - use natural substances such as herbs, food, vitamins and other natural supplements.
- Body-based manipulation and practice - uses manipulations with body parts, such as chiropractic surgery and massage therapies
- Energetic medicine - uses intended and verifiable energy fields, called biofield and bioelectromagnetic therapies
