There are many different definitions for 'alternative medicine,' since our definition of conventional depends upon the culture we live in. Here in Canada, where we live in condos on 761 Bay St. and shop in shopping malls, alternative medicine means any type of healing that doesn't come from a certified doctor (i.e. one registered by the Medical Council of Canada). These are the doctors who go to medical school and work in hospitals or clinics. If you find this type of healing isn't working for you, here are some alternatives you may want to explore.

Naturopathy

If you were to visit a Toronto naturopathic clinic, the treatment you would receive would be based on the body's natural ability to heal and would avoid synthetic medicines and invasive (i.e. surgical) techniques. A naturopath will try to help you improve your lifestyle though diet, exercise, and stress reduction so that your body will have the best chance to heal itself naturally. Naturopaths don't generally diagnose and treat specific illnesses, rather, whole bodies that are out of whack. Only B.C., Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan require naturopaths to be licensed.

Chiropractic Medicine

Though not covered under government health insurance or recognized by most medical doctors, chiropractors use methods based in science. They study the spine and skeletal structure and learn how to make adjustments when bones are misaligned. Misalignments are viewed as the cause of neck and back pain and can be corrected through manipulation. People who suffer back pain as a result of all the sitting they have to do in their real estate career often find chiropractors helpful in relieving this pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice involving small needles being inserted into specific points on the body in order to relieve pain, nausea, and neurological symptoms. An acupuncture patient might come in for headaches or for nausea caused by riding around a curvy road in a Toronto taxi cab. Some health bodies, such as the WHO, have recognized its effectiveness. Acupuncture is based around the theory that illnesses are caused by the body's yin and yang being unbalanced, and that applying pressure to certain points can smooth out the balance.

Traditional Medicine

There are many different forms of traditional medicine, but all come from old cultures that developed their healing practices and medicines long before popular western medicine came into vogue. You might seek advice from a Native American healer living in your Lakeshore condos development, a traditional Chinese doctor, or a Siddha healer. The commonalities among these traditional medicine systems are that the ingredients for the medicines they prescribe tend to be made from naturally occurring substances such as plant and animal matter. In some countries, traditional medicine is all people have access to.