Fact Sheet 700 Alternative and Complementary Therapies WHAT ARE
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES? HOW MANY PEOPLE USE ALTERNATIVE
THERAPIES? ARE THEY SAFE? DO THEY REALLY WORK? WHY AREN'T THERE
MORE STUDIES OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES? WORKING WITH YOUR HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER THE BOTTOM LINE A health treatment that does not
fit into standard western medical practice is called
“alternative” or “complementary.” This includes many different
therapies: - Traditional healing practices such as ayurveda
(Fact Sheet 702), Chinese acupuncture (Fact Sheet 703), and
Native American healing (Fact Sheet 708) - Physical therapies
such as chiropractic, massage, and yoga - Homeopathy or herbs
(See Fact Sheet 704 on Chinese Herbalism) - Energy work such as
polarity therapy or reiki - Relaxation techniques, including
meditation and visualization Dietary supplements, such as
vitamins and minerals (Fact Sheet 801) Some health care
providers like to use alternative therapies along with western
medicine. They think alternative therapies can reduc