Major Groups of Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is any anything that is not within conventional medicine. It is grouped into five major groups by National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine.
They include:
1. Energy Therapies – Variety of alternative and complimentary treatment. It is based on use, manipulation and modification.
2. Biologically Based Therapies - This type uses methods and products like animal and botanicals derived extracts from nature, which aids in healing. It contains diet supplements, herbal products and megavitamins.
3. Alternative Medical Systems – It consists of traditional Chinese medicine, Native American healing practices and homoeopathy among others. It is also a combination of both practice and theory.
4. Mind Body Interventions - This is usually used together with the traditional medicine system. It approaches healing from a psychological, social, religious, behavioral point of view. The good thing is that it gives emphasis on the mind ability to influence the healing of a body. It is a combination of yoga, music therapy and prayer therapy among others.
5. Manipulative And Body Based Methods – Body movement is manipulated to aid treatment. It consists of body massage, reflexology, chiropractic and Rolfing among others.
The alternative medicine and treatment however continue to receive sharp criticism from those who practice conventional medicine. It still serves a larger percentage of people who use it. Many people are opting for these alternative methods because they are cheaper, more natural and very convenient.
At the same time, it is important to take precaution when using this medical alternative and always visit a medical practitioner to guide you through when you want to administer the medicine.