Alternative Medicine

The concept of alternative medicine refers to specific medical practices that are different from the conventional ones.  It refers to all the approaches or techniques of healing that do not fall under the standard medical realm.  The more common examples of alternative medicine are:

• chiropractic treatment
• herbal medicines
• homeopathic remedies
• naturopathy

Characteristically, this type of medicine uses practices and techniques that are based in philosophical and unscientific dogma.  They may utilize the following approaches to healing as well:

• metaphysical
• newly developed approaches
• pre-modern medical techniques
• religious/spiritual
• untested practices

If an alternative medical technique is proven to be consistently successful, it may then be adopted as a true medical practice by conventional practitioners, and will no longer be considered “alternative.”

There are numerous jurisdictions concerning alternative medicines and techniques that can be deemed as legal.  This also pertains to any treatments provided by a government operated and regulated health service, or the reimbursement of the patient by any private health and medical insurance coverage.

Numerous advocates of alternative medicine practices and techniques continue to disagree with government regulations and restrictions placed on them.  The dissidents claim that it impedes the progress of individuals who are attempting to bring effective and useful approaches and treatments to the public.