alternative therapies
Nonconventional healing methods
Alternative therapies are medical treatments outside conventional Western medicine—acupuncture, herbal remedies, chiropractic, homeopathy, and the like.
The term implies these approaches exist alongside or instead of standard care: She turned to alternative therapies after chemotherapy failed.
When used with conventional treatment, they're often called complementary therapies.
The scientific establishment views most with skepticism.
- naturopathyAlternative healing using nature
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- aromatherapyTherapeutic use of plant essences
- reflexologyFoot-point pressure therapy
pressure points · meditation · Ayurveda · tai chi · hypnosis · chiropractic care · essential oils · guided imagery · crystal healing · yoga · reiki · energy work · herbal medicine · natural remedies · moxibustion · shamanism · qigong · mind body
- herbal medicineherbal medicine, herbal remedies, herbal remedy, herbal tea, herbal teas
- Psychiatry Critiqueanti-psychiatry, overmedicating, overdiagnosis, involuntary treatment, involuntary commitment
alternative therapiesdrug therapy
Treatment using medicinal substances
surgical intervention · chemotherapy · radiation therapy · synthetic drugs · prescription medications