The terms alternative medicine and complementary medicine

are often wrongly used as synonyms. Actually, the term

alternative medicine refers to medicine systems like

Ayurveda or Acupuncture that are used in place of

conventional medicine, while complementary medicine refers

to those therapies like massage that are used in

conjunction with conventional medicine. However, both end up performing the same role in several

western countries. That is why in popular parlance

alternative medicine has come to be known as complementary

medicine, giving birth to the term alternative and

complementary medicine. Most practitioners recognize acupuncture, osteopathy,

chiropractic, Ayurveda, Homeopathy and herbal medicine as

the most important forms of alternative and complementary

medicine. These may be the major alternative therapies but the list

of alternative and complementary medicine does not end

here. The other medicinal systems that can be included in

this grouping are naturopathy, nutritional medicine,

aromatherapy, massage, crystal healing and different types

of energy medicine. Barring Homeopathy, most of the

alternative and complementary medicine systems evolved in

ancient times in countries like India, China, Egypt, Tibet

and Persia. An important aspect of alternative and complementary

medicine is that it focuses on the person as a whole. The

medicine is therefore based not only on the patient's

physical symptoms but also on the individual's lifestyle,

environment, diet, mental and emotional health; sometimes

even the spiritual health. That is why alternative

medicine is called holistic medicine. Interestingly, alternative and complementary medicine is

no longer limited to the mystic Orient. But the western

world to is recognizing these medicinal therapies as an

important component of healing. Countries like India and China are using their knowledge

of alternative and complementary medicine to promote what

has come to be known as medical tourism. A large number of

westerners are flying to these Asian countries to look for

holistic cures. In the West too, a large number of women are using

aromatherapy and massage while men are turning to

alternative and complementary medicine to recover from

sports injuries or back pain. The other medical problems for which practitioners are

turning to alternative and complementary medicine are

chronic ailments like arthritis, cystitis, asthma or

chronic fatigue. Even the World Health Organization (WHO)

has recognized the value of holistic treatments. Among the

diseases that WHO believes can be cured with these

approaches are asthma, eczema, digestive disorders and

headaches. This growing acceptance of alternative and complementary

medicine is a healthy sign for the world, because the

synergies that have been so created are helping to tackle

many incurable diseases. In the ultimate analysis, we

should not forget that alternative and complementary

medicine systems originated thousands of years ago, and

have been successful in treating millions of people across

the ages. Howard Tiano, has studied optimum health techniques for three decades, and came to alternative

medicine through a family health crises. Sign up for the free 7 part series,

"Dietary Supplements; Truth or Consequences" at:

http://www. alternative-medicine-resource. com.

Author:
Howard Tiano