Alternative therapies

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Alternative therapies

Alternative therapies (pronunciation: /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv ˈθɛrəpiːz/) refer to a range of medical treatments that are not part of conventional medicine. These therapies are often used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments, but are also used alone as a primary method of treatment.

Etymology

The term "alternative therapies" is derived from the Latin word "alternativus", meaning "one after the other", and the Greek word "therapeia", meaning "healing". It refers to the use of non-traditional methods of healing, often one after the other, as an alternative to conventional medicine.

Types of Alternative Therapies

There are many types of alternative therapies, including but not limited to:

  • Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain or treat various diseases.
  • Homeopathy: A system of alternative medicine that treats a disease with minute doses of natural substances that in a healthy person would produce symptoms of the disease.
  • Naturopathy: A system of treatment that relies on natural remedies, such as sunlight and air, and on the body's own healing processes.
  • Chiropractic: A method of treating diseases by manipulation of the spine and other body structures.
  • Herbal medicine: The use of plants or plant extracts for medicinal purposes.

Related Terms

  • Complementary therapies: These are similar to alternative therapies but are used in conjunction with conventional medicine.
  • Integrative medicine: This is a holistic approach to healthcare that combines conventional and alternative therapies.
  • Holistic medicine: This is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness.
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