Glossary of alternative medicine

This glossary provides an overview of terms used in alternative medicine, which includes a diverse range of practices and therapies that fall outside conventional Western medicine.

• Activated charcoal cleanse – The use of activated charcoal to absorb toxins and promote detoxification.
• Acupressure – A technique based on applying pressure to specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow.
• Acupuncture – A practice involving the insertion of fine needles into the skin at specific points to balance Qi.
• Affirmative prayer – A form of prayer that focuses on positive thinking and spiritual healing.
• Alexander technique – A method designed to improve posture and movement through body awareness.
• Alternative cancer treatments – Unproven or non-conventional therapies claimed to treat cancer.
• Animal-assisted therapy – The use of animals in therapeutic settings to improve mental health and physical well-being.
• Anthroposophical medicine – A holistic approach combining spirituality with medical practice.
• Apitherapy – The use of bee products, such as honey, pollen, and venom, for healing purposes.
• Applied kinesiology – A practice that assesses muscle strength to diagnose imbalances in the body.
• Aquatherapy – The use of water therapy for rehabilitation and physical healing.
• Aromatherapy – The use of essential oils for therapeutic benefits.
• Art therapy – The use of creative expression to support emotional and psychological healing.
• Asahi Health – A Japanese exercise system combining movement and breathing techniques.
• Ashtanga vinyasa yoga – A dynamic form of yoga that follows a specific sequence of postures.
• Ashtanga yoga – A rigorous style of yoga emphasizing discipline and breath control.
• Astrology – The belief that celestial bodies influence human health and personality.
• Attachment therapy – A controversial therapy aimed at treating attachment disorders.
• Auriculotherapy – A form of acupuncture focused on the ear to influence health conditions.
• Autogenic training – A relaxation technique using repeated phrases to induce a calm state.
• Autosuggestion – The process of influencing one's own thoughts and behaviors through self-suggestion.
• Ayurveda – An ancient Indian system of medicine based on balancing the body's energies.
• Bach flower therapy – The use of flower-based remedies to address emotional imbalances.
• Balneotherapy – The therapeutic use of mineral-rich waters and hot springs.
• Bates method – An alternative therapy for improving vision without glasses.
• Bibliotherapy – The use of literature to promote mental and emotional well-being.
• Bikram yoga – A type of yoga practiced in a heated room.
• Biodanza – A dance-based therapy promoting self-expression and connection.
• Bioresonance therapy – A practice using electromagnetic frequencies to diagnose and treat illnesses.
• Blood irradiation therapies – The use of ultraviolet light or lasers to purify the blood.
• Body work (alternative medicine) – Various forms of massage therapy and physical manipulation.
• Body-based manipulative therapies – Techniques such as chiropractic and osteopathy for structural alignment.
• Chakra – Energy centers within the body, central to many spiritual and healing traditions.
• Chelation therapy – A treatment using chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body.
• Chinese food therapy – A practice of using diet to balance bodily functions.
• Chinese herbology – The use of herbal medicine based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• Chinese martial arts – Physical practices like Tai chi and Qigong with therapeutic benefits.
• Chinese medicine – A broad system of medicine including acupuncture, herbal therapy, and Qi regulation.
• Chinese pulse diagnosis – A diagnostic technique assessing the pulse to determine health imbalances.
• Chiropractic – A system focused on spinal alignment to improve overall health.
• Chromotherapy – The use of colors to influence physical and emotional well-being.
• Cinema therapy – The use of films and storytelling as a therapeutic tool.
• Coding (therapy) – A form of energy healing using symbolic codes.
• Coin rubbing – A practice similar to gua sha, where a coin is rubbed against the skin to release toxins.
• Colloidal silver therapy – The use of colloidal silver as a supposed antimicrobial agent.
• Colon cleansing – The practice of flushing out toxins from the colon.
• Colon hydrotherapy – The use of enema solutions to cleanse the bowel.
• Conversion therapy – A controversial and widely discredited practice aimed at changing sexual orientation.
• Craniosacral therapy – A technique focusing on the gentle manipulation of the skull and spine.
• Creative visualization – The use of guided imagery to influence physical and emotional health.
• Crystal healing – The belief that crystals can balance energy fields in the body.
• Cupping – A therapy using suction cups to improve circulation and relieve muscle tension.
• Dance therapy – A form of movement therapy used to enhance psychological well-being.
• Daoyin – An ancient Chinese practice combining movement and breath control.
• Detoxification – The process of removing toxins from the body through diet and therapies.
• Dietary supplements – The use of vitamins, minerals, and herbs to support health.
• Dowsing – A method used to locate water or energy fields through divining rods.
• Ear candling – A practice claimed to remove earwax using a hollow candle.
• Earthing – The practice of grounding oneself to the earth’s energy for health benefits.
• Electrohomeopathy – A practice claiming to use electromagnetic properties of plants for healing.
• Electromagnetic therapy – The use of electromagnetic fields to influence health.
• Energy medicine – A broad category of therapies manipulating energy fields.
• Equine-assisted therapy – The use of horses for emotional and physical rehabilitation.
• Faith healing – The practice of healing through spiritual beliefs and prayer.
• Fasting – The voluntary abstention from food for health and spiritual reasons.
• Feldenkrais Method – A technique that promotes body awareness and movement efficiency.
• Feng shui – The practice of arranging environments to promote energy balance.
• Flower essence therapy – The use of plant-based essences to balance emotions.
• Functional medicine – A holistic approach to identifying and treating the root cause of illness.
• German New Medicine – A controversial theory linking psychological trauma to physical diseases.
• Graphology – The analysis of handwriting to determine personality traits.
• Gua sha – A traditional Chinese therapy involving scraping the skin to improve circulation.
• Hatha yoga – A form of yoga focused on postures and breathing exercises.
• Herbalism – The practice of using herbal medicine to support health.
• Homeopathy – A treatment based on highly diluted substances to stimulate healing.
• Hijama – A form of cupping therapy in Islamic medicine believed to remove toxins and promote healing.
• History of traditional Chinese medicine – The development of Chinese medicine from ancient practices to modern applications.
• Holistic living – A lifestyle focusing on balancing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
• Holistic medicine – An approach to healthcare that considers the whole person, integrating mind-body medicine with natural therapies.
• Home remedies – Traditional treatments using natural ingredients such as herbs, honey, and essential oils.
• Homeopathy – A treatment system based on the principle of "like cures like," using highly diluted substances to trigger healing responses.
• Hydrotherapy – The use of water-based treatments such as hot baths, ice therapy, and contrast showers for healing.
• Hypnosis – A technique using guided relaxation and focused attention to access the subconscious mind for therapeutic purposes.
• Hypnotherapy – The use of hypnosis in a clinical setting to treat conditions such as anxiety, phobias, and addiction.
• Introspection rundown – A controversial practice involving self-examination and guided therapy sessions.
• Iridology – The study of the iris of the eye to diagnose systemic health conditions.
• Isolation tank – A sensory deprivation chamber used for meditation, relaxation, and self-exploration.
• Isopathy – A variation of homeopathy where substances that cause a disease are used in treatment.
• Iyengar yoga – A form of Hatha yoga that focuses on alignment, precision, and posture.
• Jilly Juice – A controversial fermented juice claimed to have healing properties, widely criticized for health risks.
• Kundalini yoga – A spiritual form of yoga that integrates breathing techniques, meditation, and energy awakening.
• Laughter therapy – The practice of using laughter exercises to reduce stress and improve well-being.
• Light therapy – The use of artificial or natural light exposure to treat conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
• Macrobiotic lifestyle – A dietary philosophy focusing on whole grains, vegetables, and balanced meals for optimal health.
• Magnet therapy – The use of magnets to influence the body's energy fields and promote healing.
• Magnetic healing – A practice claiming to improve health by manipulating the body's electromagnetic fields.
• Manipulative therapy – A broad category that includes chiropractic, osteopathy, and other hands-on techniques.
• Manual lymphatic drainage – A gentle massage technique designed to stimulate the lymphatic system.
• Martial arts – Traditional physical practices such as Tai chi, Qigong, and Kung fu that promote health and longevity.
• Massage – The use of manual pressure and manipulation to relieve tension and improve circulation.
• Massage therapy – A professional practice that includes various massage techniques for relaxation and pain relief.
• Medical intuition – The belief that certain individuals can intuitively diagnose medical conditions.
• Meditation – A practice involving mindfulness, concentration, and deep breathing for relaxation and self-awareness.
• Mega-vitamin therapy – A controversial approach using high doses of vitamins to treat chronic diseases.
• Meridian (Chinese medicine) – Channels in the body through which Qi (life energy) is believed to flow.
• Mindfulness meditation – A form of meditation focusing on awareness of the present moment.
• Mind–body intervention – Therapies that integrate mental and physical health, such as meditation, yoga, and hypnotherapy.
• Moxibustion – A Traditional Chinese Medicine practice that involves burning mugwort near acupuncture points.
• Myofascial release – A physical therapy technique aimed at relieving muscle tightness and pain.
• Naprapathy – A form of manual therapy that emphasizes soft tissue manipulation and spinal alignment.
• Natural health – A broad concept promoting natural remedies, holistic practices, and self-care.
• Natural therapies – A term encompassing herbalism, naturopathy, and dietary supplements.
• Nature therapy – Healing techniques that involve spending time in natural environments.
• Naturopathic medicine – A system of medicine that emphasizes natural healing, prevention, and holistic care.
• Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) – A psychological approach that explores how language and thought influence behavior.
• New Thought – A spiritual movement that promotes positive thinking and self-healing.
• Numerology – The belief that numbers have mystical significance in health and life.
• Nutritional healing – The concept that diet and nutrition can prevent and treat illness.
• Nutritional supplements – The use of vitamins, minerals, and herbs to support health and wellness.
• Orthopathy – A natural health system that advocates self-healing through diet and lifestyle changes.
• Osteopathy – A practice that focuses on manual manipulation, musculoskeletal alignment, and holistic treatment.
• Pilates – A movement system designed to improve strength, flexibility, and body awareness.
• Postural Integration – A therapy combining bodywork and psychotherapy to address emotional and physical tension.
• Pranic healing – An energy medicine practice that uses life-force energy to heal the body.
• Prayer – A spiritual practice believed to promote mental, emotional, and physical healing.
• Prokarin – An alternative treatment for multiple sclerosis, based on histamine therapy.
• Psychic surgery – A controversial practice where "healers" claim to remove disease using hands without surgical instruments.
• Qi – A fundamental concept in Chinese medicine, referring to vital energy that flows through the body.
• Qigong – A Chinese movement and meditation practice that balances Qi (energy flow).
• Quantum healing – A metaphysical concept linking quantum physics to spiritual healing.
• Radionics – A form of energy medicine that claims to diagnose and heal through vibrational frequencies.
• Rebirthing – A therapy focused on controlled breathing to release trauma and emotional blockages.
• Reflexology – The application of pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears to promote health.
• Reiki – A Japanese form of energy healing that involves laying on hands to balance life force energy.
• Rolfing Structural Integration – A deep tissue manipulation technique aimed at improving posture and movement.
• Salt therapy – The use of salt-infused air to treat respiratory conditions.
• Self-hypnosis – A self-directed practice using hypnosis techniques for relaxation and mental clarity.
• Shiatsu – A Japanese massage technique based on acupressure principles.
• Siddha medicine – A traditional system of medicine from South India.
• Yoga – A physical, mental, and spiritual practice that integrates movement, breath control, and meditation.
• Zang fu – A concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine describing the organ systems and their functions.

See Also

• Traditional medicine
• Integrative medicine
• Holistic health
• Mind–body medicine

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