Alternative medical systems are complete systems of theory and practice that have evolved independent of conventional medicine. Many are traditional systems of medicine practiced by cultures around the world, including a number of venerable Asian approaches.

Traditional Chinese and other Asian medicine is organized around balancing qi (pronounced chi), or vital energy. In health, qi is said to be properly balanced; disease is seen as a disturbance of qi. Traditional Asian medicine uses a group of techniques and methods including acupuncture, herbal medicine, oriental massage, and Qigong (for more on Qigong, see the section on energy therapy. Acupuncture involves stimulating specific anatomic points in the body to alter the flow of qi and restore energy balance, usually by puncturing the skin with a needle. Some well-designed studies have shown convincing evidence that acupuncture may be useful for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, but the qi theory of disease remains unproven.

Ayurveda (pronounced eye yer VAY duh) is India's traditional system of medicine. Ayurveda means "science of life." Ayurvedic medicine is a comprehensive system of medicine that places equal emphasis on body, mind, and spirit and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. Some of the primary Ayurvedic treatments include diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, exposure to sunlight, and controlled breathing.

Homeopathy and naturopathy are also examples of complete alternative medical systems. Homeopathy is an unconventional western system developed in Germany around 1800. It is based on the principle that "like cures like," i.e., that the same substance that produces symptoms when taken in large doses can cure it when taken in tiny doses--the more dilute the remedy, the greater its potency. Therefore, homeopaths use small doses of specially prepared plant extracts and minerals to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and healing processes in order to treat illness. Critics of homeopathy object that the materials are diluted so much that the treatments are essentially water.

People who practice naturopathy view disease as a disturbance in the body's natural healing processes. Naturopathy emphasizes restoring health rather than treating disease. Naturopathic physicians employ an array of healing practices, including diet and clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy (the use of water in a range of temperatures and methods of application), spinal and soft-tissue manipulation, physical therapy with electrical currents, ultrasound, and light therapy, therapeutic counseling, and medicines.

Other traditional medical systems have been developed by Native American, Australian Aboriginal, African, Middle-Eastern, Tibetan, and Central and South American cultures.

Many alternative medical systems use heavy metals (also used in conventional medicine) which can be dangerous, especially to children. For this reason, it is critical that only qualified practitioners are consulted and that conventional physicians are informed of their use.