The terms Complimentary Medicine and Alternative Medicine refer to health systems or practices that are not usually part of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine could be defined as those medical practices that are typically used by MDs, DOs and their organizations including the work of physical therapists, psychologists and nurses. Complementary Medicine is not the same as Alternative Medicine.
Complementary Medicine
Complementary Medicine includes non-conventional practices that might be used by an MD to support conventional medicine. Aromatherapy and acupuncture would be complementary if performed in the context of a medical practice. To be considered as complementary, a practice must have some amount of scientific studies to support its benefits. New techniques are constantly being added to conventional medicine as the science improves and the public demands them.
Alternative Medicine
Practices that are part of Alternative Medicine would generally not be part of a medical practice. The word “alternative” implies that the patient is seeking help outside of conventional medicine. Most of the alternative practices have many years of beneficial use, but lack studies that conventional medicine considers scientific.
Another term in common use is Integrative Medicine which generally refers to a combination of conventional medical practice combined with complementary medicine in a holistic way. Holistic Medicine considers the effects of spiritual and mental influences on health.
Since alternative medicine includes everything that isn’t conventional medicine, it is a very broad and rapidly-changing subject.
Subcategories of Alternative Medicine
Alternative Health Systems include western systems from the 18th and 19th centuries like homeopathy and naturopathy as well as ancient systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. These systems have their own processes for diagnosis and treatment, their own pharmacology, and their own scientific method for altering their systems over time. They are generally more holistic than western conventional medicine.
Biologically-based practices include using herbs, supplements and food to treat or prevent disease. Detoxification processes could also fit in this category.
Energy-based systems use the body’s energy field to improve health. These include Qi Gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch among others.
Mind-body techniques include prayer and meditation, Feldencrais, dance and art therapy, as well as other techniques that use body movement as therapy. There has been quite an explosion of these methods during the 20th century.
Body Manipulation techniques like chiropractic and osteopathy have been around since the 19th century. Massage, craniosacral therapy, and many other body therapies evolved in the 20th century.
