ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN

The seven categories of alternative medicine, as established by the Na tional Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine, are mind-b ody interventions, bioelectromagnetic therapies, alternative systems o f medical practice, manual healing methods, pharmacologic and biologic treatments, herbal medicine, and diet and nutrition. Mind-body approa ches have been shown to be effective in a variety of conditions. Acupu ncture and homeopathy are alternative systems of medical practice that may be beneficial. Chiropractic manipulation for low back pain and in fant massage for enhancing growth are two methods of manual healing. W hile the literature on herbal medicine is vast, most of it focuses on a single approach for a specific condition. Traditional herbalists use a combination of herbs individualized for the specific person. As mor e and more people turn to alternative therapies, it is important for f amily physicians to be open to their patients' interest in alternative approaches.