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Alternative Healthcare Options For Alternative Medicine

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Introduction

Alternative healthcare options also known as alternative medicine is “any of various method of healing or treating disease that is not included under traditional medical practice in the United States and Britain” (Webster dictionary). These alternatives include methods such as hypnosis, acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic therapy, spiritual or faith healing amongst others. Alternative medicine is the term used for medical products and practices that are not part of the standard of care. Standard of care is what medical doctors, doctors of traditional medicine, and allied health professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, practice. Alternative medicine is used in place of standard medical care. Examples of alternative practices that do not include traditional medicine are aroma therapy, diet therapy, herbalism, homeopathy, massage therapy, reflexology, chiropractic therapy, cannabis, faith or spiritual healing and acupuncture amongst others (Medicine.net). Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice sometimes these systems develop into something substantial; some if these systems have even developed in western cultures. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures are homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (Medicine.net). There are more than a hundred
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