What Types of Alternative Therapies Are Out There?

Many different therapies and practices make up the practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In most cases, some fields will overlap with other alternative treatments and can be used simultaneously with traditional medicine to increase their effectiveness. 

Although many of the following therapies are effective, most people will avoid using them because they’re expensive. You can compare health insurance coverage or rates in Australia to ensure your package includes one or more of the CAM practices featured on this list. 

What are the Different Types of CAM?

There are 6 categories and multiple fields that make up the practice of CAM.

1. Traditional Alternative Medicine

Although the term “traditional medicine” often refers to medicine prescribed by a doctor, “traditional alternative medicine” includes accepted and more mainstream ancient therapies. 

Many types of traditional medicine that were once solely prescribed in the past are still helpful to this day, although they all range in their effectiveness. Traditional alternative medicine includes:

• Ayurveda: Prevention of illness through lifestyle (diet, mediation, message).
• Acupuncture: The practice of using thin needles to treat pain.
• Oriental Medicine: Includes acupuncture, herbal therapies, diet, and exercise.
• Homeopathy: The belief that the body or natural plants can cure you.
• Naturopathy: Include botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, and clinical nutrition.

2. Herbs and Diet (as a Medicine)

Humans have believed that a simple diet can lead to a healthier lifestyle for centuries, and they weren’t far off. 73.7% of Americans are at least overweight, and an unhealthy BMI contributes to multiple health problems. Poor eating habits are the leading cause of excess fat. 

The World Health Organization believes that 80% of stroke, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes and up to 40% of cancers could be prevented if people ate better, exercised, and quit smoking. 

Dietary supplements, herbal medicine, and nutrition/diet are all examples of herb/diet medicine.

3. Mental or Mind Medicine 

All modern medicine recognizes the impact your mind has on the body. Those who are in a good emotional state heal faster from disease and are less likely to have chronic pain.

Biofeedback, meditation, and hypnosis are all mental health therapies used in modern medicine.

4. Touch or Body Medicine

Touch therapy has been used in traditional medical care, although it used to be in the form of the “healing touch,” which has a religious influence. Modern body medicine believes that manual manipulation can lead to optimal health. Body medicine is often combined with mind medicine.

Touch or body medicine often include:

• Massage
• Chiropractic 
• Tai Chi
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Yoga

5. External Energy (as a Medicine)

Many people believe that we have an external energy source (or chakra) that influences how we feel and act. However, external energy therapy is difficult to test, so scientists are unaware if these alternative remedies actually work. Still, many patients receive a placebo effect, at least.

The following external energy therapies may work for you, but take their use in medicine with a grain of salt. Never use external energy therapy as an alternative to traditional medicine.

• Electromagnetic: Uses magnets to maintain health and treat illnesses.
• Reiki: A form of energy healing that uses palms to transfer emotional energy.
• Qigong: Types of movement that are said to heal specific body parts.

6. Sense (as a Medicine) 

Our senses can change what we perceive, so it stands to reason that they impact our mental health. Sense therapies often include music, dance, art, guided imagery, and visualization. 

It’s unclear whether it’s the act itself or the enjoyment of the act that leads to a positive outcome. If you enjoy any activity that enhances your senses, you’re more likely to receive a more enhanced mental health boost, so it helps to like the activity you’re partaking in.