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Acupressure: Acupressure is a practice that originated from Chinese medicine. Pressure is applied to specific points of the body to stimulate meridians, the energy pathways, to enhance the flow of energy...

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. Originating in China, it is based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of energy, or...

Aikido: Aikido (Ai - Harmony, Ki - Spirit, Do - Way) is an effective form of self-defense derived from Japanese Bujutsu (Warrior Ways).Recently, Aikido is enjoying as much popularity in the...

Applied Kinesiology: Applied kinesiology (AK) is a procedure used to assess health through the understanding of the connection of muscle activity and the body. It is a form of diagnosis using muscle...

Aromatherapy: Originating in France, where it is a part of mainstream medicine, aromatherapy is a modality that uses plant oils with specific aromas to support and balance the mind, body, and...

Auriculotherapy: Auriculotherapy is also known as 'ear acupuncture.' Based upon acupuncture principles, and similar to reflexology and iridology, this practice stimulates areas of the external ear to alleviate health concerns elsewhere...

Aversion Therapy: Aversion therapy is a form of psychiatric, mental health or psychological treatment in which the patient is exposed to a stimulus while simultaneously being subjected to some form of discomfort....

Ayurvedic Medicine: Ayurvedic medicine is a traditional healing practice that originated in India, sometimes referred to as the 'Science of Life' process. It would first involve identifying the individual as one or...

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Belly Dance: Belly Dance is an art form originating in the Middle East, and has gained popularity in the West not only for its sensual beauty, but as a form of regular...

Bio-Identical Hormone: Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is the use of lab-manufactured hormones that are the same structure molecule to molecule as human hormones. These are in contrast to synthetically-based replacement hormone...

Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a process in which an individual's bodily functions are monitored and modified through conscious regulation. This techniqe can be used to improve overall wellness by regulating breathing, slowing...

Brain Gym: Brain Gym is a program of 'educational kinesiology' that seeks to overcome learning challenges through a repetition of physcial movements to activate the brain for optimal storage and retrieval of...

Breathwork: Breathwork refers to a variety of practices that utilize 'conscious breathing' as a therapeutic means of attaining physical, spiritual, and/or psychological benefits. Conscious breathing occurs when a person, in a...

Breathwork, Transformational: Breathwork refers to many forms of conscious alteration of breathing, such as hyperventilation or connecting the inhale and exhale, when used within psychotherapy or meditation. Proponents believe the technique may...

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Chakra Balancing: The word Chakra in Sanscrit translates to wheel or disc. Chakras are energy centers along the spine located at major branchings of the human nervous system, beginning at the base...

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a conventional medical treatment utilizing drugs (chemicals) to kill micro-organism or cancer cells. A patient can be given one drug or a combination of drugs either by using...

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Chinese herbal medicine is a major aspect of traditional Chinese medicine, which focuses on restoring a balance of energy, body, and spirit to maintain health rather than treating a particular...

Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): This ancient (and modern) theory of medicine with unique diagnostic methods and systematic approach includes medication, pharmacology, herbology, acupuncture, massage and QiGong. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which encompasses many different...

Chiropractic: Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that evaluates a person's health based on examining the alignment of the spine, the condition of the muscular system as well as the functionality of...

Colon Hydrotherapy: Colon cleansing (colon therapy) encompasses a number of alternative medical therapies intended to remove fecal waste and unidentified toxins from the colon and intestinal tract. Colon cleansing may take the...

Counseling: Counselors assist people with personal, family, educational, mental health, and career problems. Their duties vary greatly depending on their occupational specialty, which is determined by the setting in which they...

Craniosacral Therapy: Craniosacral therapy (also called CST, cranial osteopathy, also spelled CranioSacral bodywork or therapy) is a method of complementary and alternative medicine that focuses on the eight bones of the cranial...

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Dance Therapy: Dance or movement therapy is the therapeutic use of movement and dance for emotional, cognitive, social, behavioral and physical conditions. Dance movement therapy strengthens the body/mind connection through body movements...

Dentistry: Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help prevent future problems. They provide instruction on diet, brushing,...

Dermatology: Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with medical, surgical, and integrative health aspects. A dermatologist is trained to analyze the...

Doula: A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and informational support to the woman who is expecting, in labor or has recently given birth. The doula's...

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Ear Candling: Ear Candling is a natural, non-intrusive procedure that may help alleviate the painful effects of chronic headaches or sinus conditions, ear infections, allergies or vertigo, as well as minor hearing...

Eden Energy Medicine: Eden Energy Medicine (EEM) was developed by Donna Eden, a pioneer in the Energy Medicine field. EEM uses muscle response testing or "energy testing" (adapted from Applied Kinesiology) involving light...

Emotional Freedom Technique: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also called Thought Field Therapy, is based on a theory that negative emotions are caused by disturbances in the body's energy field and that tapping on...

Energy Medicine: Energy Field Medicine, Energy Medicine, Energy Work Energy therapies work from a common understanding that a smooth and balanced flow of vital energy is fundamental to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual...

Essential Oils: Essential oils are utilized in many complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM)practices including aromatherapy and massage. Essential oils are plant oils with specific aromas to support and balance the mind,...

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Feldenkrais Method: The Feldenkrais Method approaches healing through a blend of science and aesthetics. Developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, D.SC., a Russian physicist, judo expert, and mechanical engineer, this Method directs clients...

Fitness Instructor: A fitness instructor is someone who has taken classes on certain types of exercise so they can guide people through physical activities.  Some fitness instructors are certified and some are...

Functional Medicine: Functional medicine is personalized medicine that deals with primary prevention and underlying causes, instead of symptoms, for serious chronic disease. It is a science-based field of healthcare that is grounded...

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Geriatric Care: Geriatric care addresses the complex needs of older people, focusing on health promotion and the prevention and treatment of disease and disability in the elderly. Comprehensive healthcare of the aging...

Guided Imagery or Visualization: Guided Imagery is the use of relaxation and mental visualization to improve mood and or physical wellbeing. It is also used as a means of problem solving or improving a...

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Healing and Therapeutic Touch: An energy-based therapeutic approach to healing. Using hands-on and energy-based techniques to balance and align the human energy field. Hands do not touch body, but perform smoothing and soothing movements...

Herbal Medicine: Herbalism is the use of any plant seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology. The...

Holistic Health Practitioner: Holistic health practitioners offer an increasingly respected and centuries-old alternative type of healthcare that emphasizes total wellness of mind, body, emotions and spirit. They treat people not as collections of...

Homeopathy: Homeopathy is a healing art whose "highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health, or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in...

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the use of water in the treatment of disease. Hydrothermal therapy additionally uses its temperature effects, as in hot baths, saunas, wraps, etc. Hydro- and hydrothermal therapy are...

Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a technique to promote a desired change in behavior and encourage mental and physical well-being, including stress relief, weight loss and smoking cessation. The use of hypnosis for...

Hypnotherapy: Hypnosis is a technique to promote a desired change in behavior and encourage mental and physical well-being, including stress relief, weight loss and smoking cessation. The use of hypnosis for...

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Integrative Medicine: Integrative medicine combines the best of conventional Western medicine (the medicine most people grew up with), with the best in complementary and alternative therapies (methods of care that are becoming...

Intuitive Consultant: An intuitive consultant uses a combination of peer counseling techniques and intuition to help an individual draw one's own conclusions in problem-solving or overcoming stress. Some intuitive consultants are psychics,...

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Jaffe-Mellor Technique (JMT): The Jaffe-Mellor Technique (JMT) is a bioenergetic technique utilizing kinesiology and acupressure to relieve pain and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, RA and other complex health disorders. It provides help to...

Jin Shin Jyutsu: Jin Shin Jyutsu physio-philosophy is an ancient art of harmonizing the life energy in the body. Jin Shin Jyutsu brings balance to the body's energies, which promotes optimal health and...

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Kegel Exercise: A Kegel exercise, named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor (sometimes called the 'Kegel muscles'). The aim of...

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Lactation Consultant: A lactation consultant is someone who is qualified to instruct and help new mothers with breast feeding. Most people who are qualified for this are nurses, certified nurse midwives, and...

Life Coaching: Life coaching is a modality dedicated to helping individuals identify and achieve personal goals. It draws on techniques used in executive coaching, mentoring, and other forms of counseling. Life coaching...

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Macrobiotics: Macrobiotics is a program involving changing or managing one's diet for spiritual and healthful ends. A macrobiotic diet (or macrobiotics)involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other foods...

Massage: Massage is a scientific method of manipulating the soft tissues of the body to have specific effect. Its objective is the restoration of function, release of tension and the re-establishment...

Medical Intuitive: A Medical Intuitive is an alternative medicine practitioner who uses intuition and sometimes psychic ability to attempt to find the cause of a physical or emotional condition. Some intuitives practice...

Meditation: Meditation is a mind-body practice. There are many types of meditation, most of which originated in ancient religious and spiritual traditions. Generally, a person who is meditating uses certain techniques,...

Meridian Flexibility: Meridian Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training is a system of stretching and strength training developed by Olympic Coach Bob Cooley, of the Meridian Flexibility Center. The program design incorporates advanced circuit...

Midwifery: Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) are licensed healthcare practitioners educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. They provide primary healthcare to...

Mind-Body Medicine: Mind-body medicine is a philosophy and a system of health practices that is based on the concept that the mind and the body work together for healing. It focuses on...

Music Therapy: Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy...

Myofascial Release: Myofascial Release is a form of soft tissue therapy which includes, but is not limited to, structural assessments and manual massage techniques for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between...

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Naturopathic Medicine: Naturopathy, also called naturopathic medicine, originated in Europe and aims to support the body's ability to heal itself through the use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies...

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP): Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is defined as the study of the structure of subjective experience and what can be calculated from it and is predicated upon the belief that all behavior...

Nursing, Holistic: Holistic nursing is defined as "all nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal" (American Holistic Nurses' Association, 1998, Description of Holistic Nursing). Holistic nursing is a...

Nutrition, Functional and Integrative: Functional Nutrition practitioners identify and address the underlying root imbalances that may be preventing optimal health and performance, based on the principles of biochemistry, metabolism and performance. Practitioners seek to...

Nutritionist or Dietician: Nutritionists and dietitians prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and recommending dietary modifications. They also plan food and nutrition programs, supervise meal preparation, and oversee the serving...

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Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapists help patients improve their ability to perform tasks in living and working environments. They work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling condition....

Orthomolecular Medicine: Orthomolecular medicine involves the prescription of large doses of vitamins and minerals, based on the philosophy that each individual is biochemically unique and therefore nutritional deficiencies affect certain people more...

Osteopathic Medicine: Osteopathic physicians may use all accepted methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery. However, they place special emphasis on the body's musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic patient care. Bones...

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Past Life or Regression Therapy: Past Life or Regression therapies are practices that look for underlying root causes of current issues by using hypnosis or guided meditation to uncover childhood or past life memories. Bringing...

Pediatric Care: General pediatricians care for the health of infants, children, teenagers, and young adults. They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of ailments specific to young people and...

Personal Trainer, Certified: A certified personal trainer is someone who has trained for a required number of hours in specific classes to be able to instruct a client in ways to meet personal...

Personal Training and Fitness: Fitness workers lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and stretching. They work in health clubs, country clubs, hospitals, universities, yoga and...

Pharmaceuticals, Compounded: Compounded pharmaceuticals are prescriptions used to treat many medical conditions that have generally been overlooked by commercially available sources and provide a unique solution for the patient's needs which would...

Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and possibly help prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. It can help restore,...

Pilates: Pilates is a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates in Germany. As of 2005 there are 11 million people who practice the discipline regularly...

Podiatry: Podiatrists, also known as doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs), diagnose and treat disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot and lower leg. Podiatrists treat corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, heel...

Polarity Therapy: Polarity therapy is a system based on the belief that the flow and balance of energy in the body is the underlying foundation of health. The body's own electrical flow...

Pranic Healing: Pranic Healing is a highly developed and tested system of energy medicine that uses prana to balance, harmonize and transform the body's energy processes. Prana is a Sanskrit word that...

Prayer: Prayer is simply the act of communication with God or one's Higher Being, grounded in an individual's particular belief system. It has been shown that people with a strong belief...

Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. They are also called 'friendly bacteria' or 'good bacteria.' Probiotics are available...

Psychiatry: Psychiatrists are medical practitioners in the area of mental health who assess and treat mental illnesses through a combination of psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, hospitalization, and medication. Psychotherapy involves regular discussions with...

Psychic or Medium: A psychic, or medium, is a person who professes the ability to experience what they or others believe is contact with spirits of the dead or entities such as angels....

Psychology: Psychologists study the human mind and human behavior. They can specialize into different fields such as research, clinical settings, neuropsychology, and counseling. Psychologists apply their knowledge to a wide range...

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a form of psychological treatment. Its current design is primarily credited to Sigmund Freud, although others have refined it (such as Carl Jung). The treatment is based in...

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Qigong: Qigong literally means 'energy cultivation' and refers to exercises aimed at bringing about harmony, as well as improving health and longevity. Healing methods involve breathing, movement, the mind and the...

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Rapid Eye Technology (RET): Rapid Eye Technology (RET) is a transformational technology that facilitates healing on all levels. The client follows a lighted wand with their eyes, while the therapist gives verbal clues designed...

Recreational Therapy, Art Therapy: Recreational therapists, also referred to as therapeutic recreation specialists, provide treatment services and recreation activities for individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Using a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts,...

Reflexology: Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and/or hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based...

Reiki: Reiki is a healing practice that originated in Japan. These practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above the person receiving this modality, affecting natural healing energy flow with...

Rolfing: Rolfing is the commonly used name for the system of Structural Integration soft tissue manipulation founded by Ida Pauline Rolf in the 1950s. The terms Rolfing and Rolfer are trademarks...

Rubenfeld Synergy: A holistic therapy that integrates body, mind, spirit and emotions using gentle touch, along with verbal dialogue, active listening, Gestalt Process, imagery, metaphor, movement and humor. Developed over 40 years...

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Shamanism: Shamanism is a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world. A practitioner of shamanism is known as a shaman. There are many variations of...

Smoking Cessation Techniques: Smoking cessation techniques vary widely, and many holistic and integrative health practitioners can provide these services. It is important to choose the method that best fits your unique needs. Some...

Social Work: Social workers assist people by helping them cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. Some social workers help clients who...

Spiritual Healing: Spiritual healing is a healing philosophy incorporating the concept of spiritual energy as a healing force which uses prayer, meditation, individual or group spiritual resources and other methods of focusing...

Stress Management Therapies: Stress management therapies vary widely from counseling to massage to energy work and more. Such techniques are grounded in the understanding that unresolved stress limits the body's physical wellness, creating...

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Tai Chi: Tai Chi is a mind-body practice that originated in China as a martial art. A person doing Tai Chi moves his body slowly and gently, while breathing deeply and meditating....

Trager Method: The Trager method is a psychologically grounded physical approach to muscle relaxation which is induced when a practitioner and patient achieve a state of mind called hook-up. Hook-up is described...

Tuina (Tui Na): This is a form of Chinese massage that has been in practice for over 2000 years. Tuina is similar to acupuncture in that it works with Qui (chi) energy, however...

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Veterinary Medicine: Veterinarians care for the health of animals ranging from livestock, animals in zoos, racetracks, and laboratories to household pets. Some veterinarians use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried...

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Wave Work: Wave Work is a unique psycho-spiritual process for clearing and integrating emotional feelings. Based on the deeper teachings of yoga, the work uses breath and awareness of sensation to allow...

Weight Loss Techniques: Weight loss techniques usually include a combination of detoxification, dietary changes, regular exercise, and emotional/psychological support. The techniques vary greatly. Most integrated and complementary health practitioners can provide weight loss...

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Yoga: Yoga is a general term for a wide range of mind-body exercises that combine breathing, movement, meditation and sometimes a sequence of sound to align, purify, and promote a healthy,...