It is grounded in maximizing one's potential, harmony, and balance of energy. In alternative medicine, health is considered a result of an interaction with one's internal and external environments. Tools and techniques such as herbs, massage and visualization are used to maintain energy balance and environmental harmony.
Therapeutic results evolve over time and wellness is the body's attempt at maintaining harmony.
CAM encompasses various cultural interpretations, although there are basic tenets found cross-culturally. First, in alternative medicine there is the basic belief that mind and body are integrated. Second, nature is thought to have a healing power. Third, alternative medicine strives to identify and treat the cause of disharmony rather than dealing only with symptoms. Complementary and alternative medicine uses Research indicates that the use of complementary and alternative therapies is on the rise.