Alternative therapies refer to any medical treatment that is not a traditional medicine technique. Alternative therapies could be used either in addition to or instead of conventional medicine. The term is often used interchangeably with “complementary medicine.” In medical spaces, the practice is called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) distinguishes between complementary medicine and alternative medicine. According to them, when it is used in addition to traditional medicine, it is complementary, but if it is used in place of conventional medicine, then it is considered alternative. However, most people are likely to use these therapies alongside traditional medicine.
When a licensed health care provider uses both alternative therapies and conventional medicine, it is called integrative medicine. A doctor or healthcare provider who uses integrative medicine uses all therapeutic methods to ensure the good health of their patients.
In this article, you will learn about the most popular forms of alternative therapies and how they are practiced.
Categorization of alternative therapies
There are many types of alternative therapies. Over the years, many of these therapies have evolved into mainstream medicine. Alternative therapies can be classified into several categories. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health classifies complementary and alternative therapies into:
- Nutritional approach: This includes all diets, dietary supplements, probiotics and herbs used in alternative and complementary therapies.
- Physiological approach: This includes alternative therapy practices like meditation and hypnosis.
- Physical approaches: This includes practices like acupuncture and massage.
- Combination of physiological and physical: These are therapies that affect the mind and body simultaneously. They understand yogaTai chi, dance therapyand many others.
Most forms of alternative therapies fall into one of these categories. Some of the most widely practiced are discussed below.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda focuses on the use of specific herbs, massage and dietary techniques to treat conditions. This is an ancient Indian practice that has been used for thousands of years.
Ayurvedic treatments usually involve a purification process, herbal remedies, special diets, yoga, massage and meditation. Research shows that Ayurvedic medicine can help treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, and colitis (inflammation of the colon).
Meditation
THE meditation practice has been used for many centuries. There are many types of meditation, but the main goal of practicing meditation is to help you focus your attention and achieve a state of calm and relaxation. This, in turn, can help you cope with certain disorders and improve your overall health and well-being.
Meditation effectively treats symptoms of mental health problems such as high blood pressure, depression and anxiety.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy involves using very diluted substances to treat a multitude of illnesses ranging from asthma to high blood pressure. This is based on the principle that a substance that causes symptoms can also treat those symptoms.
Homeopaths, or people who practice homeopathy, believe that the more diluted a substance is, the more power it has to treat the symptoms of an illness. There is a lot of skepticism around the practice of homeopathy in traditional medicine circles.
In 2017, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) recommended that healthcare providers stop offering homeopathy because there is no evidence to support its use.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to treat certain conditions. THE hypnosis process involves being guided into a deeply relaxed state, where a hypnotherapist will access your subconscious thoughts and beliefs.
A hypnotherapist will give you suggestions to encourage you Changing behaviour or relieve your symptoms when you are in this state. For example, hypnotherapy can be used to help treat addiction or manage stress.
Contrary to popular belief, you remain in complete control of your thoughts and behaviors under hypnosis and can reject any suggestions from your hypnotherapist.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting finely pointed needles into areas of your body called acupuncture points. This practice has always been used as a natural pain relief technique. The needles are thought to stimulate specific nerves and muscles, which in turn release natural pain-relieving hormones into your body.
In a 2016 study, researchers found that acupuncture was somewhat effective in treating tension and tension. chronic headaches.
Yoga
Although some may view yoga as simply a form of exercise, yoga has been used as a healing technique for centuries. This ancient Indian practice has been proven to improve the physical and mental well-being of people who practice it.
Yoga has also proven help relieve stress, managing anxiety and pain management. Yoga is relatively safe; However, it is advisable to practice with a certified instructor to avoid any sprains or strains if you are new to this area.
Massage
You are probably already familiar with massages. You can’t just consider it as a treatment option. Massages are aimed more at helping treat physical symptoms like pain in certain parts of the body. They are done by kneading the soft tissues of your body until you feel relief. They are different types of massageand the type you get usually depends on the goal you’re trying to achieve.
Phytotherapy
With herbal medicine, parts of a plant such as its leaves, seeds or roots are made into a treatment for conditions such as chronic pain and allergies. Herbal medicine can come in many different forms, from tea and lotions to pills and powders.
There is some controversy surrounding the use of herbal medicines because some of them might be harmful or react dangerously with conventional medications. Before trying any herbal medicine, it is important to tell your doctor.
Some common herbal treatments include:
- St. John’s wortto treat mild symptoms of depression
- Green tea to help lose weight and lower cholesterol
- ginkgo biloba for poor circulation
- Saw palmetto to treat enlarged prostate
Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic medicine is practiced by a person called a chiropractor. This form of alternative therapy aims to relieve any pain you feel and improve the functioning of your body. It uses specific techniques to manipulate your spine, joints and skeletal system and helps align your body.
Chiropractic medicine is similar to traditional medicine because chiropractors review your medical history, perform tests and interviews, and provide a formal diagnosis before developing a treatment plan.
Reiki
Reiki is an ancient Japanese form of alternative therapy. It’s based on the belief that “vital energy” flows through your body. When this energy is low, you get sick.
Reiki aims to restore this energy by placing the hands on different parts of the body. This helps resolve any physical or psychological problems you are experiencing. It is a form of energy therapy.
Uses of alternative therapies
In the United States, approximately 30% of adults and 12% of children have used complementary and alternative therapies.
Alternative therapies complement or replace traditional medicine to treat a multitude of pathologies that affect you.
Alternative therapies like yoga, acupuncture, meditation, massage, and herbal remedies have been used to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, hypertension, and chronic pain.
Before starting an alternative therapy, talk to your doctor to make sure it does not interfere with your current traditional medicine plans.
Are alternative therapies safe and effective?
More research needs to be done on the safety and effectiveness of alternative therapies. While some, like meditation, yoga, and massage, have been used for years and are widely accepted in traditional medicine circles, others, like homeopathy and Reiki, still attract skepticism.
When it comes to safety, many alternative therapies have been used for centuries with little to no safety concerns.
A word from Verywell
It is also essential to thoroughly research the safety and effectiveness of specific alternative therapies before opting for them.
It is also essential to thoroughly research the safety and effectiveness of specific alternative therapies before opting for them. Some alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have been used for years and are considered safe and beneficial.
Although your doctor is more likely to suggest conventional medicine, it doesn’t hurt to get his or her opinion on an alternative therapy you want to try before you do.
