Alternative medicine is not real medicine-thoughts?

Different philosophy: There are many definitions to alternative medicine but usually it is defined as methods of care that do not involve pharmaceutical drugs and procedures. It can be acupuncture, homeopathy, supplements, nutrition, srt, etc to name a few. Many of them are well studied and others are not. Working with integrative medicine physicians can often help link traditional & alternative medicine together.

Not real? Nope.: What western biomedicine calls "alternative" generally embodies a paradigm that differs from biomedicine's materialistic point of view. Acupuncture, for instance, has been used effectively for at least 5000 years. Not real? No way. Many us physicians are being trained to use it because it offers relief to suffering patients. Recognizing what works may come before controlled research happens.

Proven vs unproven: By definition, "alternative" is different than modern western medicine. Generally any drug, herb, treatment, or procedure that stands up to rigorous scientific scrutiny is included in modern medicine. The problem is that many alternative practices, herbs etc do not stand up to scientific scrutiny and cannot be shown to work. They therefore remain "alternative". Be careful and watch your wallet.

Alternative Medicine: Alternative medicine is just that an alternative to modern medicine. It can include off label use of modern medicine, or natural medicine like herbs and homeopathy, or traditional medicines chinese acupuncture and ayurveda.