: Use of substances found in nature, such as herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
: Practices based on the concept of energy fields, such as Reiki and therapeutic touch. Benefits and Safety Considerations ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE INFORMATION
Alternative medicine encompasses a vast array of health care practices and products that fall outside the scope of conventional Western medical treatment. While often used interchangeably with "complementary medicine," the distinction lies in their application: alternative medicine is used standard treatments, whereas complementary medicine is used alongside them . Key Categories of Alternative Medicine : Use of substances found in nature, such
Many people turn to alternative therapies to manage chronic pain, reduce stress, or improve overall quality of life when conventional methods are insufficient. However, choosing these treatments requires careful evaluation: Alternative Medicine - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH : Techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) typically classifies these approaches into five major domains:
: Complete systems of theory and practice that evolved independently of Western medicine, such as Ayurveda , Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and homeopathy.
: Techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily functions, including meditation, yoga, and biofeedback .