Strange are the ways of nature, especially when it comes to humans, the more we know the sooner it is less. Medicine here is the best bet .what works for one human does almost never seem to work for the other, and still Evidence based medicine is more often practiced and preached for fear of the unknown. “When everything else fails ... Look within you for an answer”, this is the practice of alternative medicine.

It so believes in healing from within, where in the patient is considered as a whole and not treating only the affected part as other conventional medical practices. When practiced in tandem with the conventional methods health can be optimal.

Alternative medicine includes diverse streams of medicine, which have their own traditions. Principles practiced have always been based on beliefs handed down through generations, local knowledge, psychic ability, spiritual honoring and latest envisage of remedies. Various widely practiced methods are ayurvedic, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic medicine, Unani medicine, Reiki, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Yoga, Hypnosis, Siddha medicine, Herb therapy. Most of the methods preach the basic principle of nutritious food, calming of mind and preventive measures.

The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) have ushered a newer hope of stabilizing and giving more credit to the various methods of medicine they have been classified as…

• Whole medical systems: Where in the patient is treated as a whole and not treated for the disease alone. This involves the ancient methods of Ayurveda, Chinese medicine
• Homeopathy, where in the body is allowed to heal by itself.
• Mind Body Medicine: In this case, Reiki, Meditation, and Yoga bring the mind and body into harmony with each other.
• Biology based medicine: where in natural food and fibers are advised to the patients according to the body needs, Naturopathy, Herb medicine follows this practice.
• Manipulative touch methods: are involving a specific part of the body and involves healing by touch and movement, Acupuncture and chiropractic medicine is practiced this way.
• Energy medicine: The belief of free flowing energy when obstructed leads to disease in the body has helped Magnet therapy and Qi gong a very trusted method of alternative medicine.

The practice of alternative medicine does not come with a lot of uncertainty according to the laws as nor by clinical research nor by scientific methods is the plausible rationale in effectiveness is proven. Hence, it has been taken up by various funding bodies and National institutes to the rescue as newer methods of research and proven methods to test the medical practice of Alternate medicine, to bring in consistency and credence.

Even the conventional practitioners are appreciating the holistic approach of alternative medicine and a complementing treatment option sees a bright future. Any alternative methods of treatment would have to be brought into the notice of the primary health care official for better care of the individual and preventing mishaps.

Tags:  Alernative Medicine, Medicine, Naturopath