| What is alternative medicine? This is a term used | | | | is thought to restore health and create well-being. |
| to describe the different forms of medicine other | | | | There are several forms of acupuncture which |
| than conventional methods. Alternative medicine | | | | are taught worldwide. This is one of the most |
| includes a wide variety of medical practices | | | | famous forms of alternative medicine. |
| including non-European (non-Western) medical | | | | Homeopathy: is a form of medicine that tries to |
| practices and will include some new approaches to | | | | stimulate the body's immune system in order to |
| medicine. There is also a term called | | | | promote healing. The practice of Homeopathy |
| complementary medicine. This is a combination of | | | | endeavors to bring the entire body back into |
| conventional medicine coupled with alternative | | | | homeostasis, or balance. |
| medicine. | | | | Naturopathic medicine: Is a practice that is |
| With increasing research and new findings in | | | | designed to stimulate the body's own healing |
| medicine there is a universal rise in the Western | | | | system. This system utilizes multiple forms of |
| nations of alternative medicine. In the Eastern part | | | | alternative medicine. It can also be referred to as |
| of the world, namely the Orient, some forms of | | | | Natural therapy, and can include dietary |
| alternative medicine has been practiced for many | | | | supplements, exercise and different foods. |
| centuries. Part of this trend in the West may be | | | | Osteopathy: Was originally a form of alternative |
| due to the growth of medical education among | | | | medicine based on manipulation of the joints. It is |
| people and the increased amount of travel to | | | | still used for chronic back pain. It is often used |
| different regions. More literature is now available | | | | with other forms of medicine. |
| on this subject and medical societies specializing in | | | | When treating illness and serious diseases it is |
| different forms of alternative medicine are | | | | important to consult your physician before taking |
| available. | | | | any decisions. Many doctors will endorse some |
| Some of the most common forms of alternate | | | | sort of alternative medicine coupled with |
| medicine are: | | | | conventional medicine, especially if conventional |
| Acupuncture | | | | medicine is not proving very effective for a |
| Homeopathy | | | | chronic condition. Despite the lack of credibilty |
| Naturopathic medicine | | | | given it by MD.s, some alternative medicine can |
| Osteopathy | | | | work surprisingly well. It will all depend on your |
| Acupuncture: this is an ancient art which had its | | | | particular illness and your own body's functionality |
| origins in the Orient. It involves manipulating and | | | | whether alternative medicine will work well for |
| inserting needles into special points in the body. It | | | | you. |