| Alternative medicine has been described as | | | | of alternative medicine as well. One is |
| "any of various systems of healing or | | | | called biofield therapy. This is a form of |
| treating disease (as chiropractic, | | | | alternative medicine that works with your so |
| homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in | | | | called "energy fields" to heal you. Another |
| the traditional medical curricula taught in | | | | is bioelectrical magnetic therapy. This |
| the United States and Britain". | | | | alternative medicine uses pulse and magnetic |
| | | | fields to heal you. |
| Alternative medicine practices are often | | | | |
| based in belief systems not derived from | | | | Eastern countries have a longstanding |
| modern science. Alternative medicines may | | | | tradition of teaching alternative medicine. |
| therefore incorporate spiritual, | | | | But until recently, most Western hospitals |
| metaphysical, or religious underpinnings, | | | | didn't provide any alternative treatments and |
| untested practices, non-Western medical | | | | Western medical schools didn't teach them. |
| traditions, or newly developed approaches to | | | | |
| healing. | | | | Patients in Western countries are becoming |
| | | | more receptive to trying alternative |
| Alternative medicine is a type of therapeutic | | | | techniques, and have been asking for them. As |
| practice that is not considered to be a part | | | | a result, many Western medical schools are |
| of traditional or conventional medical | | | | starting to teach these medicine techniques |
| treatment. People use alternative medicine | | | | and theories. Some hospitals and doctors are |
| instead of using traditional medical | | | | supplementing their regular medical care with |
| treatment. This is often because they feel it | | | | alternative techniques. |
| is a natural way to get better. | | | | |
| | | | Finding a good CAM practitioner is still not |
| There are many types of alternative medicine. | | | | as easy as looking someone up in a phone |
| Some are covered by medical insurance, but | | | | book. NCCAM recommends asking another health |
| most are not. Some forms of alternative | | | | care provider for a referral, talking to |
| medicine that may be covered are chiropractic | | | | people who have been treated by the expert |
| and osteopathic therapy. These forms of | | | | you are considering, and meeting with the |
| alternative medicine are widely used. | | | | practitioner to ask about his or her |
| | | | experience and training - the same kinds of |
| There are other forms of alternative medicine | | | | things you'd do if you were interviewing a |
| that are not as widely used, but are becoming | | | | new doctor. |
| more popular by the minute. These are: | | | | |
| massage therapy, therapeutic touch, folk | | | | You may have already used a complementary or |
| medicine, herbal medicine, special diets, | | | | alternative practice, like yoga or massage, |
| homeopathy, music therapy, aromatherapy, | | | | and not even thought about it! Trying |
| naturopathy, faith healing, and new age | | | | practices like meditation and breathing can't |
| healing. There are also some non-western | | | | do any harm, but other CAM techniques may |
| forms of alternative medicine such as: | | | | have consequences for people with certain |
| Chinese medicine, gi gong, reiki, and | | | | health conditions. |
| ayarveda. | | | | |
| | | | Read out Natural cures. |
| There are some less commonly practiced forms | | | | |