Alternative or holistic medicine refers to any approach to treat or cure disease that does not fall into the realm of conventional medicine. It includes a large variety of well established forms of treatment including acupuncture, homeopathy, ayurveda , naturopathy, orthomolecular medicine and biopuncture.

One of the essential differences between alternative and conventional medicine is the belief that alternative medicine can treat the cause of the complaint as opposed to only the symptoms. Tied in to this belief is the idea that the treatment must consider the workings of the entire body, including mind and spirit, rather than just the area symptomatically affected.

While alternative and conventional medicines are often considered to be at odds with one another, there is a place for integrative medicine — an approach that uses the best features of both types of medicine.

Integrative Medicine selectively incorporates elements of complementary and alternative medicine alongside solid, orthodox methods of diagnosis and treatment.
In Europe and North America, alternative medicine has gained popularity among those disillusioned or frustrated by the limits of conventional medicine.

Holistic Medical Center is a classic model of Integrative Medicine, combining western medicine along with alternative or complementary therapies.