Homeopathy uses very small, diluted doses of substances that normally cause the types of symptoms that are being treated. Chiropractic treatment is based on the manipulation of the spinal vertebrae. Misalignment of the vertebrae is believed to be responsible for a wide range of pains and illness. Diet and nutritional therapy involve the use of food, vitamins, minerals and other substances to maintain health and treat illness. Examples include macrobiotic diets and megadoses of vitamins.
Manual healing refers to the use of touch and manipulation with the hands.
Techniques include massage therapy, acupressure, reflexology, the Trager Method and Reiki therapy. Naturopathy is an alternative Western system that relies in large part on the body's natural curative powers. Doctors of Naturopathy use physical therapy, nutrition, herbs, homeopathy and psychotherapy. The Placebo Effect Alternative therapies may be effective in part due to the placebo effect. This refers to benefits a person experiences while using a treatment that are attributable to the treatment process itself rather than to the actual agent used.