Alternative Medicine
The term alternative medicine refers to any method of healing that does not fall within the category of modern conventional medicine. Often, alternative medicine will focus on cures that have significance in history or within a specific culture. Examples of alternative medicine include meditation, yoga, hypnosis, acupuncture, homeopathy, Ayurveda, herbalism and chiropractic practices. Alternative medicine practices are very diverse and vary from place to place. They are often based on the knowledge of folk traditions and spiritual beliefs. Alternative medicine is classified into five major groups of study. These groups are mind-body medicine, energy medicine, biologically based practiced, manipulative practices and whole medical systems. Mind-body medicine focuses on the connection that occurs between the mind and the body. The belief that the mind can effect and alter symptoms that the body displays is fundamental to the practice of mind-body medicine. Energy medicine explores the use and the effect of energy fields on the body. Biologically based practices use substance found in nature such as plants, herbs and food to promote health and to cure diseases. An example of this would be the use of the birch to help with fevers, water retention and arthritis, as well as the use of the herb clove to help with digestive problems. Manipulative practices involve moving parts of the body, such as is done in chiropractic practices. Whole medicine systems involve two or more of the categories listed above. One of the very popular forms of alternative medicine that is practiced today is acupuncture. Acupuncture is the process of inserting needles into various points along the body in order to relieve stress, pain and tension.
Naturopathic medicine is a type of alternative medicine that is based on the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself. It promotes self healing and the belief that nature has the power to heal. Naturopathic medicine uses natural therapies, diet and exercise to maintain health and fight off illness and disease. Naturopathic healing implements the use of healing compounds and medicinal herbs, as well as some low risk procedures. Naturopathic medicine physicians seek to find the root of the illness that is effecting the patient and discourages the use of drugs to cover up the symptoms of an illness. They use a holistic approach and use little or no surgery and drugs. Naturopathic medicine is practiced around the world, especially in America and Canada. Naturopathic medicine physicians must pass board exams created by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners after completing their study and training at a certified college. In a recent survey thirty-eight percent of American adults have claimed that they have used some form of alternative medicine. A 2008 survey conducted by the American Hospital Association reported that about thirty seven percent of hospitals offer at least one form of alternative medicine procedures. Over the lest few years alternative and naturopathic medicine have greatly increased in popularity, and they still continue to do so because it focuses on treating illnesses instead of covering up symptoms
