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Holistic Medicine —a whole–body approach to healthcare that considers the whole individual – body,
mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to
prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. According to the holistic
medicine philosophy, one can achieve optimal health by gaining proper balance in life.

Traditional Medicine —also known as indigenous or folk medicine, comprises medical aspects of
traditional knowledge within the folk beliefs of various societies, including indigenous peoples, before the
era of modern medicine. The sum of the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and
experiences indigenous to different cultures used in the maintenance of health and the prevention,
diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

Integrative Medicine –a holistic approach to health that considers the whole person and all aspects of
lifestyle.

Alternative Medicine—practice that aims to achieve the healing effects of medicine. Unlike modern
medicine, which employs the scientific method to test plausible therapies with responsible and
ethical clinical trials, yielding repeatable evidence of either effect or of no effect, alternative therapies
reside outside of medical science and do not originate from using the scientific method.

Complementary Medicine – a term used to describe types of treatments that exist largely outside the
conventional health care system. May include non–prescription medicines, therapies, and disciplines that
have an established identity and tradition of use. May be used along with conventional Western medicine
or for specific health conditions or benefits. Examples of complementary medicine include massage,
meditation, biofeedback, tai chi, reiki, music therapy, guided imagery and dietary supplements.

Adjunctive Medicine — refers to therapies used alongside the primary treatment method to make it work
better. Also known as adjunct therapy, adjuvant care, or augmentation therapy. Used mainly to describe
adjuvant cancer treatments. Adjunctive therapy for epilepsy is the use of more than one anti–epileptic
drug (AED) to prevent seizures. Also used to reduce morbidity and mortality long term.DEFINITIONS of Alternative Medicine

Holistic Medicine —a whole–body approach to healthcare that considers the whole individual – body,

mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to

prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. According to the holistic

medicine philosophy, one can achieve optimal health by gaining proper balance in life.

Traditional Medicine —also known as indigenous or folk medicine, comprises medical aspects of

traditional knowledge within the folk beliefs of various societies, including indigenous peoples, before the

era of modern medicine. The sum of the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and

experiences indigenous to different cultures used in the maintenance of health and the prevention,

diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

Integrative Medicine –a holistic approach to health that considers the whole person and all aspects of

lifestyle.

Alternative Medicine—practice that aims to achieve the healing effects of medicine. Unlike modern

medicine, which employs the scientific method to test plausible therapies with responsible and

ethical clinical trials, yielding repeatable evidence of either effect or of no effect, alternative therapies

reside outside of medical science and do not originate from using the scientific method.

Complementary Medicine – a term used to describe types of treatments that exist largely outside the

conventional health care system. May include non–prescription medicines, therapies, and disciplines that

have an established identity and tradition of use. May be used along with conventional Western medicine

or for specific health conditions or benefits. Examples of complementary medicine include massage,

meditation, biofeedback, tai chi, reiki, music therapy, guided imagery and dietary supplements.

Adjunctive Medicine — refers to therapies used alongside the primary treatment method to make it work

better. Also known as adjunct therapy, adjuvant care, or augmentation therapy. Used mainly to describe

adjuvant cancer treatments. Adjunctive therapy for epilepsy is the use of more than one anti–epileptic

drug (AED) to prevent seizures. Also used to reduce morbidity and mortality long term.