‘5′ Classifications Of Alternative Medicine
30 06 2011Alternative medicine is defined by the scientific community as any system dedicated to improving health that doesn’t follow or subscribe to the tenets of traditional western medicine. In more recent times, practitioners of this branch of medicine prefer to be categorized under the label complementary rather than alternative. The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has codified a formal classification system for their field that has grown to be the most wifely used and adopted methodology in the world.
Biologically Based Practices: Adherents to this philosophy have most of their beliefs on the supposed curative powers of various herbs, nuts, vitamins and other naturally occurring products. They take a plethora of dietary supplements which aims to improve, heal or otherwise modify specific injuries, conditions or ailments. What sets them apart from the traditional prescription based medication of conventional doctors is the supplements lack of laboratory tested results and published research. oftentimes, the use of the substance is solely mitigated by anecdotal evidence.
Energy Medicine: Energy medicine practitioners believe that the body produces various individual field of energy, the existence of which is divided between those supported by science and the others which are entirely based on uncertain claims. Through analysis of these fields, aberrations are used to diagnose the specific condition. Certain strategies would then be implemented in an effort to return your field’s status to normalcy, which should in turn correct the physical ailment it’s causing.
Whole Medical Systems: there are numerous alternative healing methodologies that developed separately but concurrently with western medicine. They have differing philosophies from the mainstream institutions and instead include two or more facets of the NCCAM classification system. Two examples of complementary whole medical systems are traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurveda.
Mind-Body Medicine: Mind-body systems take a more holistic approach to alternative healing. In this field, it is believed that the mind has direct and traceable connection to the body’s functions. For these practitioners, where the mind goes, the body follows. Through positive reinforcement, meditation, trances and other mental techniques, they seek to get an individual to think themselves healthy.
Manipulative Body-Based Practices: Methods that manipulate body parts for medical purposes that are not actively supported by western medicine are all classified as manipulative body based alternative healing. Common examples are chiropractic treatments, Chinese acupuncture and various esoteric massages.
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