nonpharmacological
Not using drugs
Nonpharmacological describes treatments or interventions that don't involve drugs or medication.
The term appears in medical contexts when distinguishing between drug therapies and alternatives like physical therapy, counseling, acupuncture, or lifestyle changes: The doctor recommended nonpharmacological approaches to managing her chronic pain.
Treatment restoring bodily function
- exerciseActivity for fitness
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- chiropracticSpine-focused alternative medicine
hydrotherapy · heat therapy · stretching · mobilization · manipulation · traction · electrotherapy · TENS
Relating thought to action
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- meditationFocused attention practice
- biofeedbackTraining via physiological monitoring
- relaxationState of being unwound
breathing exercises · sleep hygiene · stress management · exposure therapy · desensitization · coping strategies · self-monitoring · guided imagery
Alternative healing using nature
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- aromatherapyTherapeutic use of plant essences
- reflexologyFoot-point pressure therapy
- reikiJapanese energy healing
ayurveda · traditional Chinese medicine · herbal · dietary · supplements · probiotics · nutritional therapy · detoxification
Professional guidance for problems
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- talk therapyPsychological treatment via conversation
- support groupsGatherings for shared struggles
- group therapyCommunal psychological treatment
family therapy · peer support · social support · art therapy · music therapy · dance therapy · play therapy · animal-assisted therapy
physiotherapy
Treatment restoring bodily function
- exerciseActivity for fitness
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
chiropractic · hydrotherapy · heat therapy · stretching · mobilization · manipulation · traction · electrotherapy · TENS · dry needling
cognitive-behavioral
Relating thought to action
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- meditationFocused attention practice
- biofeedbackTraining via physiological monitoring
relaxation · breathing exercises · sleep hygiene · stress management · exposure therapy · desensitization · coping strategies · self-monitoring · guided imagery · progressive relaxation
naturopathy
Alternative healing using nature
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- aromatherapyTherapeutic use of plant essences
- reflexologyFoot-point pressure therapy
reiki · ayurveda · traditional Chinese medicine · herbal · dietary · supplements · probiotics · nutritional therapy · detoxification · fasting
counseling
Professional guidance for problems
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- talk therapyPsychological treatment via conversation
- support groupsGatherings for shared struggles
group therapy · family therapy · peer support · social support · art therapy · music therapy · dance therapy · play therapy · animal-assisted therapy · dialectical
nonpharmacologicalpharmacological
Of drug science
pharmaceutical · medicinal · chemotherapeutic · drug therapy · pharmacologic