Long ago there was no conventional medicine like today. All medicine was alternative, based on a holistic approach to all conditions and diseases. It included the practice of massage, acupressure, herbs, nutrition, body cleansing, fasting, and meditation among other means used and aimed at disease prevention and promoting vibrant health through balance of mind, body, spirit, and environment.
Among the oldest and most famous ancient alternative medicines are Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional healers would decide on the treatment of each patient based on the physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental image of the patient. They would base their healing on balance, harmony, and energy. Conventional medicine focuses on the physical problem, treating the symptoms, while traditional medicine emphasizes the cause of the physical problem and its cure. Both Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine became popular in the Western world in the twentieth century.
Nowadays there are numerous traditional and complementary medicine practices used in the west. Some of them include:
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
- Chinese or Oriental medicine
Optimal health can also be achieved by body therapies like:
- Massage
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Chiropractic
- Body movement
Alternative Medicine Examples
An example of alternative therapies in the field of energy are Reiki, Qigong, and Electromagnetic therapy. As a consequence of the connection of body and mind, people heal much faster if they have decent emotional and mental health. Meditation and hypnosis are among the alternative treatments that use the mind.
Alternative therapies are based on a holistic approach to health, taking into account the mind, body, and spirit as a whole. More and more people are becoming aware that diseases are caused by poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and imbalance of the mind, body, and spirit, so they are trying to achieve balance and find a cure by reaching out for alternative therapies.
Looking for more articles like this? Check these out:
➥ DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to replace medical treatment. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.