You keep hearing about it, and you’re curious to know more.
What exactly is alternative medicine that everyone seems to be talking about?
People have been using various forms of alternative medicine for thousands of years.
An estimated 30% of people in the U.S. use CAM – Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Chances are, you’ve already used some form of alternative medicine or know someone who has.
Alternative medicine generally refers to any treatment done outside of conventional medicine, as an alternative to pharmaceuticals or surgery.
These treatments have not been proven effective through rigorous clinical trials; rather, people using them trust the wisdom and experience of collective medical practices across all cultures throughout human history.
You might have seen it referred to in others terms like:
- Alternative wellness
- Natural medicine
- Holistic medicine
Alternative therapies have been growing in popularity, especially now that many of these practices are accepted as part of ongoing conventional treatment. At this point they become complementary rather than alternative.
Many people choose alternative medicine as part of a holistic approach to maintaining overall wellness.
Why Choose Alternative Medicine?
For a lot of people around the world, the cost of conventional medicine is simply too high.
Various alternative medicines then are able to make some form of treatment accessible.
Besides the cost, a growing number of people who want to stay well are looking for ways to do so that aligns with their values.
Trust in the body’s ability to heal itself and in the ancient wisdom that guides many holistic health practices is part of the decision to rely on alternatives to western medicine.
There’s also a spiritual component to most alternative treatments that isn’t typically found in modern medicine. This is an important part of maintaining wellness in the holistic view where mind, body, and spirit are connected.
Whether it’s to manage stress, boost immunity, or simply feel more balanced, there are a number of alternative treatments that may be a good fit.
There are five categories of holistic practices, set by the NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health), that can help you to make sense of all the different choices available.
Alternative Medical Systems, or Whole Medical Systems, encompass the total systems of medical care that evolved outside of allopathic, or conventional, medical practices.
Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Ayurveda fall into this category, as would medical systems within Native American and African cultures.
Homeopathy was founded in Germany 200 years ago. With homeopathy, natural substances like plant extracts are selected, diluted, shaken, and administered to the afflicted person.
Different remedies may be selected for different people with the same condition.
They’re matched to the individual as a whole, depending on different factors like how the ailment presents in a person.
Treatments are intended to restore balance in life force energy to heal.
Another trusted system, Traditional Chinese Medicine – TCM – has been followed for thousands of years.
It’s the basis for several other types of traditional medicine practiced in eastern cultures.
TCM incorporates several other healing modalities that are considered alternative medicine, like acupuncture and herbal medicine.
These treatments are done to restore balance to the yin and yang energies in the body. Imbalances are thought to lead to illness by blocking the flow of life force energy – qi or chi – through the body.
Traditionally practiced in India, Ayurveda is a centuries-old system that incorporates different treatment methods, including herbs, nutrition, yoga, and massage.
Ayurveda means “the science of life” in Sanskrit, and promotes harmony in all aspects of life, by caring for three types of energy in the body: vata, pitta, and kapha.
The goal is to achieve balance throughout the body, mind, and spirit, which are all connected in creating and maintaining wellness.
From yoga to art therapy to prayer, Mind-Body Interventions build on the connection between mind and body to affect the intended positive changes.
Hypnotherapy promotes relaxation so that suggestions can be made that are designed to produce the desired outcome or changes. Hypnotherapy may help reduce anxiety, relieve digestive issues, even improve outcomes in labor.
Growing in popularity in recent years, mindfulness is another way to foster a strong mind-body connection in pursuit of health and wellness.
Accessible to anyone, mindfulness is basically a focus on being present, by directing awareness to the breath. Based in Buddhism, the practice of mindfulness may include meditation, but it isn’t the same thing.
Where mindfulness is about an overall moment-to-moment awareness, meditation itself is more of a tool or training exercise that can be used to encourage mindfulness.
Meditating regularly has been shown to have numerous health benefits, and reducing stress as we know is a sure way to alleviate other health conditions.
Biologically-Based Therapies are those that use natural materials for healing.
In aromatherapy, plant extracts are used by being applied topically to the skin or inhaled.
Different essential oils or combinations of extracts might be used to help with sleep, nausea, and relaxation.
Herbalism and herbal supplements would also be considered biologically-based.
Traditional medicine throughout human history has relied on herbal remedies, teas, and tinctures made from plant materials.
Manipulative and body-based methods work directly with the body to improve health..
Acupuncture, as well as reflexology and acupressure, utilizes specific points along meridian lines within the body to stimulate the flow of qi.
This restores balance and is believed to relieve pain as well as treat various mental and physical illnesses.
An acupuncture treatment may use needles, while acupressure and reflexology practitioners would apply pressure to certain points on the body.
Acupuncture originated in china over 4000 years ago and is today one of the most mainstream alternative therapies.
As one of the more mainstream alternative practices, chiropractic care was founded in the late 1800s by a magnetic healer, and is today quite popular.
It’s based on strategic manipulation of the spine to alleviate pressure on the nerves, particularly for treating chronic pain.
Some energy therapies might also fall under other categories, but they are all based on the use of energy to facilitate healing.
Qi Gong, Reiki, and craniosacral therapy are all types of treatment where the flow of life-giving energy is restored to bring balance to the body, spirit,and mind.
One of the most popular forms of energy healing today is Reiki. Originating in Japan in the early 20th century, this technique involves hands placed on or near the body to channel energy.
Reiki stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal itself, bringing relief from stress, chronic pain, and a number of other conditions.
All these and many more alternative therapies are becoming increasingly mainstream thanks to popularization of practices like yoga and meditation.
It’s important to work with a qualified medical professional before trying any alternative treatments on your own, to avoid any complications with an existing condition or interactions with herbs and medication.
No matter whether you’re looking for physical, mental, or emotional wellness – or a balance of overall optimal health – there is sure to be an alternative therapy that works to meet your needs.