Overview of Alternative Health Care
Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Chiropractic
Herbal Medicine
Homeopathy
Magnetic Therapy
Naturopathic Medicine
Qigong
Reiki
Overview of Alternative Health Care
Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered a part of conventional medicine.
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Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of complementary therapy is the use of aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.
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Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy as recommended by a conventional doctor.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine includes internal and external therapies. Acupuncture is one of the traditional external therapies. The term acupuncture, used in Western Medicine (with which most of us are familiar), is different from that used in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is just one component of traditional Chinese medicine.
Those who practice acupuncture in the United States may use additional treatments such as massage and herbal medicine along with acupuncture. Acupuncture may also involve dietary and lifestyle changes and meditation exercises such as Qigong and Tai Chi. Acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin. Every person experiences acupuncture differently. Some people feel a sensation of excitement, while others feel relaxed.
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
For more information on acupuncture, go to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture website.
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is a professional organization, providing national acupuncture certification examinations.
Acupuncture.com
Acupuncture.com is a comprehensive acupuncture resource site. It has information on the conditions that acupuncture treats.
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Aromatherapy
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy defines Aromatherapy as the art and science of using naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants (called "essential oils") to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind, and spirit. Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach and an active treatment during acute and chronic stages of illness or disease.
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a natural, non-invasive treatment system, designed to affect the whole person and to assist the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, heal, and maintain itself. For additional information, see the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy website.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has an aromatherapy fact sheet.
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Chiropractic
Chiropractic medicine has been in practice for over 100 years and focuses on the relationship between the body's structure (mostly the spine) and function. Chiropractic medicine stems from the belief that a misaligned spine will inflame the nerves and disturb the messages that are sent from the brain to the organs and other body parts. This can result in pain to the muscles and bones and can cause organ disorders. Doctors of chiropractic medicine, who are also called chiropractors or chiropractic physicians, use a type of hands-on therapy called manipulation (or adjustment) as their core clinical procedure.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
For more information about chiropractic care, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website.
American Chiropractic Association (ACA)
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is a professional organization of doctors of chiropractic medicine. It promotes standards of patient care.
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Herbal Medicine
The use of medicinal herbs to treat disease is one of the oldest practices in medicine. Today many people use herbs to treat illnesses and disease because of the side effects associated with some synthetic medications or drugs. An herb (also called a botanical) is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor, and/or therapeutic properties.
The use of medicinal herbs will provide you with more options when dealing with illnesses. However, you should not ignore the advice of your doctor. Often, the most effective treatment may involve a combination of modern and traditional treatments.
MedlinePlus
For more information on herbal medicines, visit the MedlinePlus website.
American Botanical Council
Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too
Herb Research Foundation
Herb Med
Homeopathy
Homeopathy ("home-ee-AH-pah-thy"), also known as homeopathic medicine, is a form of health care developed in Germany and practiced in the United States since the early 19th century. Homeopathic practitioners are commonly called homeopaths. The word homeopathy is from the Greek words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos, meaning suffering or disease. The homeopathic principle is to prevent or treat disease by activating the body's own defense mechanisms.
Questions and Answers About Homeopathy
For more information, see the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
National Center for Homeopathy
The National Center for Homeopathy provides comprehensive information on homeopathy.
North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH)
The North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH) is a professional organization, also providing valuable information for consumers.
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Magnetic Therapy
Magnetic therapy dates back four to five thousand years ago. The traditional Chinese medicine book, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, records the use of magnetic stones to treat a patient's illness and disease. The word magnet comes from ancient Greek. It is believed to come from the term "magnes lithos", meaning, "Stone from Magnesia," an area of Greece known for its volcanic rocks with magnetic properties. The Greek philosopher Aristotle spoke about using magnets as a healing therapy.
A Brief History of Magnet Therapy
To learn more of the history of magnetic therapy, see the article called A Brief History of Magnet Therapy by William Philpott, M.D. and Dwight Kalita, Ph.D.
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Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine combines safe and effective traditional therapies with modern medicine. Naturopathic medicine is used to manage a broad range of health conditions affecting people of all ages. The medicine originates from ancient health care systems and modern western medicine and involves any of the following: therapeutic nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, traditional Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology, and minor surgery.
Naturopathic Medical Association
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Qigong
Qigong is a component of traditional Chinese medicine. It is an exercise technique used in health care management. It includes various body movements with breathing and mind coordination.
National Qigong Association
The National Qigong Association provides general information on Qigong activities and programs. It also offers support to students, masters, and schools of the technique.
Qigong Institute
The Qigong Institute is an organization promoting Qigong through research and education.
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Reiki
Reiki is one type of Qigong; also called Qi, or energy healing. It stems from traditional Chinese medicine philosophy and theory.
International Center for Reiki Training
To learn more about Reiki, visit the International Center for Reiki Training website.
International Association of Reiki Professionals
The International Association of Reiki Professionals provides information for consumers and professionals wanting to learn more about Reiki.
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