alternative therapy

complementary therapies

a therapy used in addition to a conventional therapy.

example of alternative therapy

accupuncture vs analgesics

Ayurveda

ancient Hindu system of medicine, originated in india. its main goals are to maintain the health of healthy people and cure the illnesses of sick people.

holistic nursing

caring for the whole person, body, mind, and spirit in a constantly changing enviroment

homeopathy

developed in Germany based on principle "like cures like". tiny doses of a substance that creat the symptoms of disease in a healthy person will relieve those symptoms in a sick person.

chiropractors

illness is a result of nerve dysfunction. manual adjustment and manipulation of the vertebral column and extremities. they dont perform surgery or prescribe drugs

osteopathy

practice of medicine that emphasizes the interrelationship of the body's nerves, muscles, bones, and organs. involves treating the whole person, recognizes the body's ability to heal itself, and stresses the importance of diet, excersize, and fitness with a focus on prevention

naturopathy

primarily uses natural therapies such as nutrition, botanical medicine (herbs), hydrotherapy (water based), counseling, physical medicine, and homeopathy to treat disease, promote healing, and prevent illness.

Chinese medicine

thousands of years old and involves techniques and practices such as accupuncture, accupressure, herbs, massage, and qi gong. diagnosis and treatment of disturbances of qi (vital energy)

alternative therapies

"unconventional" therapy, refers to therapy used instead of conventional or mainstream therapy.

example of conventional therapy

imagery, music, relaxation techniques vs drug therapy

Ayurveda

maintains that illness is the result of falling out of balance with nature. diagnosis made on three metabolic body types called "doshas"

allopathic

method of treating disease with remedies that produce effects different from those caused by the disease. western medicine