The term alternative medicine refers to any of a series of health systems, modalities, and practices that do not fall within the realm of conventional medicine. Therapies which fall into the category of alternative medicine may be based on spiritual beliefs, traditional medicine, or folk medicine. Examples of alternative medicine therapies are Chinese Traditional Medicine, Meditation, Yoga, Ayurveda, and many others.

In general terms, alternative medicine therapies can be classified into five major groups:

Whole medical systems: These include Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.

Mind-body medicine: Therapies encompassed in this group place special emphasis on the interconnection between the mind, body, and spirit. It works under the premise that the mind can affect the body and cause symptoms to appear.

Biologically-based practices: These use natural substances such as herbs, foods, and vitamins.

Manipulative and body-based practices: These practices include the manipulation or movement of body parts, such as in the case of chiropractic.

Energy medicine: Deals with energy fields and may be subdivided into biofield therapies and biolectromagnetic-based therapies.

Most alternative medicine therapies are based on the following principles:

• Prevention is necessary to maintain good health.
• The body has a natural ability to heal itself. In this respect, alternative medicine practitioners act as facilitators who help the individual and encourage the natural healing processes.
• The patient must be treated as a hole, recognizing the crucial role played by each element - mental wellbeing, physical and spiritual needs, and relationships- in overall health.