There are a lot of folk remedies and alternative cures and types of medicine which rely more or less on some scientific and medical principles. We call all of these ‘alternative medicine.’

However, this umbrella term is way too broad to make any assumptions and generalized judgment about it.

That is why we asked experts at Fix Body Chiropractor Group of San Diego to help us distinguish between the functional ones and the ones which have no connection to the scientific method.

Acupuncture

This ancient traditional Chinese form of medicine which involves inserting thin needles at specific points of your body which are meant to stimulate the body’s natural healing capabilities without the use of medications.

While many people are skeptical about this technique and the lack of understanding of how the body actually works, the longevity of this type of medicine has given it time to refine its approach and numerous studies have shown that it is actually effective in treating a number of conditions.

Some of the most common ailments which people try to relieve with acupuncture are back pain, insomnia, and even depression.

Chiropractic

Even though it has been in the mainstream for a while now, chiropractic medicine was not always recognized as effective and legitimate.

Similarly to acupuncture, chiropractic treatment doesn’t require any medication or invasive procedures. It revolves mainly around manual adjustments of bones, joints, and ligaments in order to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling.

Nowadays, acupuncture is a legitimate addition to modern medicine and is often recommended by physicians as a supplementary form of therapy, or as a substitute for a more invasive procedure such as surgery.

Herbal Treatments

One of the most prevailing and the most famous alternative forms of medicine is the use of herbs, roots, and other plants to treat a variety of illnesses.

This is the oldest form of medicine and has actually been the basis for a lot of things in modern medicine, such as a number of medications like aspirin, morphine, and digitalis. All of these drugs have been used in their rawer forms for millennia before they were extracted and started being manufactured by big pharmaceutical companies.

Even though you may assume that we have moved past the use of herbs in medicine, as many as 80% of people use it as a supplementary or primary form of medicine. If you feel like this number seems too high, think more closely. Have you had herbal tea to help you get over a cold? Or put some aloe on your burn? That is herbal medicine in its most basic form.

Ayurvedic Medicine

The healing system which originated in India is probably as old as the one in China, and it has a similar, holistic approach to health. It involves massages, special diets and a variety of herbal remedies which are supposed to bring the health back to any user.

Naturally, over time, some of these practices have shown to work very effectively, whereas others have been debunked by modern medicine.

This form of treatment is effective in that it recommends a healthy lifestyle and it helps promote your body’s natural healing capabilities. Some doctors today recommend ayurvedic medicine as a supplementary form of medicine, but not as a replacement for a science-based modern medicine, especially for more severe injuries and illnesses.

The term ‘alternative medicine’ has gotten some negative connotations in recent years, particularly due to some staunch supporters of these forms of medicine who strongly reject modern medicine and who insist on these alone.

However, these healing practices can be very beneficial to the health, some in their own right, some as a supplementary treatment.

Written By- Tim Eriksen

 Share