Despite it's growing popularity, some people may not know what alternative medicine is. It ought to be defined, in order to eliminate all ambiguity. Alternative medicine is any medical practice that is not used by conventional doctors or taught in mainstream medical institutions (Dillard 10). The category of alternative medicine covers a wide variety of methods. Acupuncture, Yoga, Homeopath

y, and Macrobiotics are just a few of the practices that fall under the category of alternative medicine. Basically the only thing that these methods have in common is the fact that mainstream medicine rejects them.

Complementary medicine is the combination of alternative medicine and conventional medicine. Complementary medicine may be the solution to problems with both types of medicine. If alternative therapies began to be tested by doctors and combined with conventional medicine, new treatments could be utilized, while eliminating inefficient alternative practices. Dr. Burns feels that alternative medicine and conventional medicine should not be spoken of as separate sides of a coin. He feels that the future of medicine will involve the integration of the two (Burns). The use of complementary medicine is beneficial for several reasons. It would allow one to rule out the possibility of a serous illness. It would ensure that the alternative method does not interfere with anything else that is being done. It would make sure that, based on one's medical history, the alternative therapy is safe for each individual.

Chinese medicine is considered, in America, to be a form of "alternative medicine." Interestingly enough, Chinese medicine dates back five-thousand years, as opposed to the two-hundred years that conventional medicine had been practiced (Burns). Chinese medicine uses a number of healing practices including acupuncture, herbal formulas, and massage (Wu 3). Chinese Medicine is based on prevention (Dillard 100). It involves basing a diagnosis on medical history, symptoms, and observations (Nian-Peng Shi). The individual is taken in to account, rather than forming the diagnosis, based on a set group of symptoms that do not change from patient to patient (Burns). A cheaper alternative to conventional healthcare, Chinese medicine may be the way to go. Many practices are opening that have combined western medicine with Chinese medicine. A practice of this sort may be the solution to one's healthcare problems.

There are hundreds of techniques that fall under the category of alternative medicine. It would take a one-thousand page book to name all of them. Therefore, only a few of the more popular techniques of alternative medicine will be discussed. One of the more popular methods is homeopathy. Homeopathy, a practice founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, was brought to the United States in 1825. Several doctors, who were educated in Europe, brought the practice to America. It became widely used until medicine began to change. Eventually homeopathy became a relic of the past, and entered under the category of alternative medicine ("National Center . . . " 1)

A source of much controversy, alternative medicine is the wave of the future. It allows more freedom to each individual, while treating people with dignity and respect. Some of the methods of alternative medicine date back five-thousand years. Having a history dating that far back, ads credibility. Seeing as how alternative medicine has become so popular, one must consider why it has been a success. Alternative medicine has been a success because it has worked for a number of people. They were pleased with the service received, and as a result continued using alternative medicine. As a result, alternative medicine is the key to a healthy body, mind, and pocketbook.

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Approximate Word count = 2699
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)