Alternative Therapy

When we talk about alternative therapy, we are referring to treatments not usually administered in conventional medicine. This is a constantly changing world and what is considered alternative therapy one day is not necessarily going to be thought of as such in years to come. It changes constantly as more and more study goes into the treatments and as the medical world itself changes and evolves. Alternative therapy can be distinguished from complementary therapy. These are similar concepts, but complementary therapy can be used in addition to conventional methods, for example using tai chi alongside prescription drugs.

Alternative therapy itself, however, is generally thought of as being used instead of conventional methods. Instead of seeing a physician, for example, you might visit a homeopath or naturopath. Doctors are generally considered to be opposed to complementary and alternative therapies, but this is not necessarily the case. Most doctors, however, did not receive training in these areas so are uncomfortable offering advice on them, but as evidence in these areas increases, doctors are increasingly referring patients on to practitioners in the alternative and complementary medical field. In some cases though, it is understandable that some physicians are sceptical of the alternative route. This is because certain practitioners make exaggerated claims about the quality and success rate of the services they provide. Some unproved therapies can be dangerous and can hurt you.

Examples of complementary and alternative therapies: Firstly, many alternative medicine practitioners base their work around some common principles. Some of these are very similar to the principles of a regular doctor, though some differ, but the basic areas include: Prevention being the key to health, that your body has the ability to heal itself, that learning and healing are on and the same and that the focus is on treating you as a whole person. Some examples of therapies that fall into these areas are:

• Ayurveda. This form of medicine emphasizes a unique cure per individual circumstances. It incorporates treatments including yoga, meditation, massage, diet and herbs.
• Homeopathy. This uses tiny doses of a substance that causes symptoms to stimulate the body's self-healing response.
• Naturopathy. This type of treatment helps your body do its own healing. Naturopaths draw from other forms of complementary and alternative medicine, including massage and acupuncture.
• Ancient medicines. These include Chinese, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian and Tibetan practices.