Alternative therapy
Alternative therapy
Alternative therapy (pronunciation: /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv ˈθɛrəpi/), also known as complementary therapy, refers 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 can also be used on their own. The etymology of the term "alternative therapy" is derived from the Latin "alternativus", meaning "one after the other", and the Greek "therapeia", meaning "healing".
Types of Alternative Therapy
There are many different types of alternative therapies, including:
- Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body.
- Chiropractic: A form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine.
- Herbal medicine: The use of plants or plant extracts for medicinal purposes.
- 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.
- Yoga: A physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.
Benefits and Risks
Alternative therapies can offer a variety of benefits, such as reducing stress, pain, and fatigue, improving physical function, and promoting a sense of well-being. However, they also carry risks. Some therapies may interact with conventional treatments or have side effects. Therefore, it is important to discuss any alternative therapies with a healthcare provider before starting them.
Regulation and Research
The regulation of alternative therapies varies by country. In some countries, certain therapies are regulated in the same way as conventional medicine, while in others they are not regulated at all. Research into the effectiveness of alternative therapies is ongoing, with some therapies showing promise in scientific studies.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alternative therapy
- Wikipedia's article - Alternative therapy
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski