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What are Alternative Medicine Practices

Alternative Medicine is a practice which has been adopted for centuries. It is a part of complementary and Alternative Medicine. It is a group of unconventional, integrative and unorthodox therapies for treating the ill. By unorthodox we mean that these therapies do not have any conventional biomedical explanations, these therapies don't have any theoretical background. These have no scientific proof unlike allopathic medicines.

These are generally adopted by people who have diseases which can not be treated effectively by allopathic medicines yet like back pain, skin diseases, immunodeficiency syndrome, infertility, cancer and arthritis.

Alternative Medicines include ayurveda, folk medicine, naturopathy, herbal medicine, new age healing, diet fads, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, faith healing, massage, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and music therapy.

Alternative Medicines are believed to be based on unscientific philosophies which are basically religious, spiritual and metaphysical beliefs and practices.

Now a day in many medical colleges a course in Alternative Medicine is offered. More often than not these branches of Alternative Medicine have separate schools to impart their knowledge and beliefs to younger generation.

Ayurveda was established in India about 5000 yrs making it the oldest medicine system. Literally it means "the science of life". It is based on the principle of prevention is better than cure. Ayurveda is believed to cure a human being both mentally and physically.

Several treatment methods are used in ayurveda namely massage, meditation, nutritional intervention, herbs, exercise, sunlight and breathing therapies. Ayurvedic massages have been proven to be very effective and provide relaxation, revitalize your energy, eliminate toxins and improve blood circulation. The eight branches of ayurveda are Pediatrics, General surgery and anatomy, Toxicology, Psychiatry, Rejuvenation and nutrition, Fertility and virility, Internal medicine and Eye, ear, nose, and throat diseases

Acupuncture therapy is a traditional Chinese medical practice based on spirituality. The different types of acupuncture include Classical Chinese, Tibetan, Japanese and Korean acupuncture. The ancient Chinese believed that energy or Qi in a human body flows through channels known as medians. Qi is the life force found in everything. Stainless steel needles are inserted in the body for therapeutic purposes. Recently acupuncture has started using low frequency current, ultrasound and lasers. The ancient practices used are acupuncture therapy, Qi gong exercise and herbal therapy to restore the energy flow in the body. It is most useful for stiff parts. The effects of this therapy are still unknown.

Traditional Chinese medicine includes a wide variety of practices, treatments, products and therapies originating in China. It is an ever changing and ever growing field. TCM theories include theory of five phases, Yin-Yang, Zang Fu organ theory, Three jiaos and meridian.It is based on Taoist philosophy. It includes treatments like cupping (previously known as the horn method), Qigong, herbal medicines, Tai Chi, feng shui, Tui na(message therapy), Die-da and T'ai Chi Ch'uan (martial arts).

There are many critics of Alternative Medicine who question the safety and testing of the methods used. They claim that it may have several side-effects and apprehend that the danger can be increased when used as a complement to conventional medicine. Moreover there are no regulations for these Alternative Medicines.

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