Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine: What's What?

This system is based on the belief that “like cures like.” It treats symptoms by giving small, diluted substances. These would cause the symptoms they are designed to treat when given in higher doses.

This system is a system in which a practitioner works with the natural healing forces within the body. The goal is to help you heal from a health problem and achieve better health. Diet, exercise, massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, or other methods may be used.

This system includes a number of therapies. Those that are more common in the United States are:

• Qi gong is used to improve bloodflow and enhance immune function by balancing the flow of energy, known as qi (pronounced "chee"), through movement, meditation, and breathing.
• Acupuncture is based on the belief that qi flows in patterns near the surface of the body. Illness happens when it becomes blocked or missing. The acupuncturist inserts thin needles at specific points on the energy pathways. This is thought to bring the qi back into balance and promote health.
• Acupressure: Acupressure is like acupuncture. But a practioners fingers are used to press on key points on the skin.

Ayurveda is an ancient health practice from India. It focuses on the body, mind, and spirit. Herbs, massage, and special diets are all used to treat and lower the risk of illness.

Meditation is when a person focuses the mind on one thought, word (mantra), object, or mental image for a period of time. The goal is to quiet your mind.

Prayer and spiritual healing have been used for thousands of years to heal the mind and body. Prayer may be done alone, in a group, in a service, or with the help of a spiritual healer, shaman, pastoral counselor, or clergy member.

Individual or group psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, support groups, and other methods are used to prevent, treat, or promote recovery from illness.

Some mental health practitioners use art, music, and dance as a form of therapy. Creative therapies may help boost mental and physical well-being and recovery from illness.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils. People who use them believe they can help with relaxation, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, stimulate digestion, and release endorphins ("feel good chemicals") in the brain.

This method focuses on the relationship between the structure and function of the body (primarily the spine) and how it affects health. It manipulates the vertebra in the spine and surrounding structures. It is often used to treat back, neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, some jaw problems, and other disorders.

This method is based on the theory that problems in one system of the body affect function in other parts of the body. Osteopathic physicians are like other physicians. Almost all osteopaths have been trained in, and many still use, osteopathic manipulation. This is a system of hands-on methods to ease pain, restore function, and promote health and well-being.

This method manipulates muscle and connective tissue to enhance tissue function and promote relaxation. It is used most for chronic pain syndromes and stress-related health problems.

This method is based on the belief that organs, nerves, and glands in the body are connected with certain reflex areas on the bottoms of your feet, hands, and other areas of the body. Massage is used on these areas. It is thought to provide relief for many health problems.

This method is an ancient Chinese therapy that is used to prevent or treat illness by restoring the balance of qi in the body. It uses slow, gentle swaying movements, deep breathing, and mental focus.

In the West, most Yoga practices focus on the physical postures called "asanas," breathing exercises called "pranayama," and meditation. Yoga has been used to increase physical fitness, promote well-being, enhance mental clarity and self-understanding, and control stress.

Biofield therapies are meant to affect the energy fields that are thought to surround and penetrate the body. These fields have not been proven to exist. In some forms of energy therapy, practitioners use their hands to manipulate these biofields. Some therapies are:

• Qi gong (see Traditional Chinese Medicine)
• Reiki is based on the belief that the inner spirit can be harnessed to heal the physical body. Practitioners use their hands to channel energy to heal the spirit, mind, and body of their patients.
• Therapeutic Touch is based on the belief that healing takes place when the body’s energies are in balance. Practitioners pass their hands over patients to find and redistribute energy imbalances.

Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct current fields.

Magnet therapy is a type of bioelectromagnetic therapy. It is based on the belief that the body's cells have tiny electromagnetic fields that fall out of alignment when disease is present. It is thought that the field is realigned when magnets are applied to the affected body part.