The whole person, rather than just the symptoms should be treated . This holistic approach looks for the root cause of the problem within the body. . Your mind is a part of the total treatment . Most alternative medicine practices treat the mind and body as one. . Good dietary habits and good nutrition are essential not only for treatments, but also for the promotion of good general health. .
Alternative medicine emphasizes prevention as well as treatment. .
Complementary Medicine Complementary medicine is the use of alternative medicine practices in addition to standard or traditional medicine. Often times conventional medicine alone is not able to accomplish the desired effects. By combining the two concepts of medical practice, the best from both can be used to complement each other. By 1997, responding to numerous studies, the American Medical Association decided to encourage medical schools to offer courses in alternative medicine. Perhaps the best illustration is the effectiveness of a well trained emergency room team.