alternative medicine

alternative medicine, any of the systems of medical diagnosis and treatment differing in technique from that of the allopathic practitioner’s use of medical therapies (alternatives to conventional medicine such as drugs and surgery) to treat disease and injury. Kinds include acupuncture, aromatherapy, ayurveda, therapeutic touch (TT). See also complementary and alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine: accupuncture for acute pain (Walker et al, 2007)