alternative medicine

SEE SYNONYMS FOR alternative medicine ON THESAURUS.COM

healthcare and treatment practices, including traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic, folk medicine, and naturopathy, that minimize or eschew the use of surgery and drugs.

Origin of alternative medicine

1980–85

Words nearby alternative medicine

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British Dictionary definitions for alternative medicine

alternative medicine

noun

another name for complementary medicine See also holism (def. 2)

Scientific definitions for alternative medicine

alternative medicine
[ ôl-tûr′nə-tĭv ]

A variety of therapeutic or preventive health-care practices that are not typically taught or practiced in traditional medical communities and offer treatments that differ from standard medical practice. Homeopathy, herbal medicine, and acupuncture are types of alternative medicine.

Cultural definitions for alternative medicine

alternative medicine

Medical practice or therapy that uses methods that have not been associated with the traditional, standard care most generally taught and executed by AMA-certified medical schools.

notes for alternative medicine

Alternative medicine includes practices such as acupuncture, naturopathy, and chiropractic, as well as such therapies as chelation therapy, homeopathic remedies, and biofeedback. There has been an explosion of interest in alternative medicine in recent years.