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What is Alternative Medicine All About?
Alternative medicine is a type of healing the mind, body and soul outside of conventional medicine. Certain practices in alternative medicine have become accepted by medical professionals, such as acupuncture, but remain classed as alternative medicine. Generally, alternative medicine is based on historical and cultural practices rather than scientific research. Alternative medicine is also known as complementary or integrative medicine.
Categories
There are seven categories of alternative medicine. These are:
- Mind Body Medicine
- Bio electromagnetics
- Biologically based therapies
- Biofield
- Alternative medical systems
- Lifestyle and disease prevention
- Manipulative and body based systems
These categories are then further sub divided into three sub categories, which are:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), which are practices that are not used within conventional medicine and that conventional medical practitioners will not believe in.
- Behavioral medicine, where there is generally an overlap with conventional behavioral medical practices.
- Overlapping, which are practices that can be used in a variety of way, some being CAM and others being behavioral.
Mind Body Medicine
Some of the better known mind body medicine practices are yoga and tai chi. Other practices that are somewhat accepted by conventional medical practitioners are therapies such as meditation and hypnosis, as well as art therapy, humor and dance therapy.
Bio Electro Magnetics
Bio electro magnetics use electromagnetic fields for healing purposed. Many trials are currently underway to study the scientific facts behind this type of practices and many medical professionals do feel there is a noticeable effect by bio electromagnetic therapy.
Biologically Based Therapies
This type of alternative medicine uses natural ingredients to heal specific ailments. There are many perceived benefits of using certain herbs or plants within a diet, as well as certain diets specifically looking at cleansing the body. Biologically based therapies generally overlap with conventional medicine, as most medical professionals will agree in the strength of at least some biological treatments, such as St John's Wort for depression.
Biofield
Biofield is a form of treatment that uses touch and other manipulation of energy fields in the body. The most well known form of biofield is Reiki, which is practiced the world over for healing purposes.
Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative medical systems are very well known and used by many across the world. Acupuncture is possibly the most well known example of an alternative medical system that is slowly being accepted by conventional medical practitioners. Other examples include Tai Chi and massage, Ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy.
Lifestytle and Disease Prevention
This type of alternative medicine is further subdivided into clinical preventative practices (for example medical intuition), lifestyle practices (changes to the entire lifestyle, including diet and exercise) and health promotion (this is research on the effects of alternative medicine).
Manipulative and Body Based Systems
This type of alternative medicine is also divided into three subcategories:
- Chiropractic medicine -- a practice becoming increasingly popular in the western world
- Massage and body work -- such as Swedish massage, polarity and acupressure
- Unconventional therapies -- such as hydrotherapy, colonics, light therapy and alternate nostril breathing.
The Benefits of Alternative Medicine
The benefits of alternative medicine, for those who believe in its benefits, are that it is said to balance the mind, body and spirit. By finding this balance, you allow yourself to become a happier and healthier individual. It is important to remember that although many alternative medicines do not have scientifically proven results, it has been scientifically proven that a positive attitude and relaxed mind improves physical health.
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