Basically any form of healing which is not by traditional methods can be classed as alternative or complementary medicine. It is a form which is widely used in hospitals, care home and rehabilitation centres in many forms and is used in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments, diseases and illnesses.

Although used alongside many traditional forms of medicine many of the alternative therapies and medicines have no evidence suggesting that they actually work or that they don’t. Still millions of people throughout the world claim that alternative medicine does work and as such there are many specialist shops which sell and teach alternative treatments, remedies and techniques.

Is there any difference between alternative and complementary medicine?

In the majority of cases alternative medicine is used to replace more traditional medicine, for example someone who has cancer would try an alternative form of medicine or therapy instead of opting for surgery or chemotherapy.

Complementary medicine on the other hand is used alongside traditional medicine, for example a patient might take aromatherapy after they have had stressful surgery as a way to help them relax more easily or someone might have acupuncture as a way of relieving pain following surgery.

The major types of alternative and complementary medicines

Alternative and complimentary medicines can be divided into different types; these are whole medical systems and mind-body medicine. Practises which are defined as biological based, manipulative and energy medicine.

Whole medical systems are classed as such as homeopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. They are complete sytems of medicine combined of theory and practise.

Mind-body medicine uses the mind to enhance body functions and symptoms and therefore reduce the symptoms associated with many illnesses.

Biological practises focus on the use of herbs, flowers, and plant material and dietary supplements.

Manipulative and body movements relies on the manipulation of body parts such as the feet, spine and hands to realign the joints and muscles.

Energy medicine relies on the use of manipulating the energy fields usually by way of magnets.

Some of the most popular forms of alternative and complementary medicine

Most of us will have heard of at least one form of alternative medicine and in some cases perhaps not even associated it as being as form of medicine. Acupuncture for instance is a relatively well known form and one of the most popular ones which forms part of the system of traditional Chinese medicine.

Aromatherapy is perhaps the next most known form, and is one which can be used in everyday situations. Following this is chiropractic, which is form of whole medical system and traditional Chinese medicine which has been around for thousands of years.