alternative medicine

alternative medicine

noun

Definition of ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as chiropractic, homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in the traditional medical curricula of the United States and Britain

First Known Use of ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

1977

alternative medicine

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as homeopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, Ayurveda, or faith healing) that are not included in the traditional curricula taught in medical schools of the United States and Britain

alternative medicine

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of a broad range of healing approaches not used in conventional Western medicine. Many are holistic (see holistic medicine); many also emphasize prevention and education. Alternative therapies include acupuncture, aromatherapy, Ayurveda medicine, Chinese medicine, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massage, meditation, naturopathy, therapeutic touch, and Yoga. Though considered alternative in the West, such medicine is the main source of health care for up to 80% of people in less-developed countries. Some alternative-medicine practices are useless or harmful; others are effective and may offer treatments in areas where conventional approaches have not succeeded (e.g., chronic disorders).

Variants of ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

alternative medicine or complementary medicine