Every medication or healing procedure that does not, strictly speaking, fall under the category of conventional medicine is normally referred to as alternative medicine, or alternative therapy. Alternative therapy varies from conventional therapies not only in origin, but also in practice. This form of therapy possibly based on spiritual beliefs and folk traditions. Mainstream medical practitioners are still hesitant to recognize alternative health therapies merely because most of these techniques are yet to be methodically tested in order to assurance their safety and efficiency. Due to the lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of alternative therapy, several physicians rather to call it non-evidence based medicine; or some decline to recognize these alternative forms of medicine or therapy, as medical therapies at all. Medical professionals may take up this form of therapy only if their safety and effectiveness is scientifically proven.



Tai chi for example, is a martial art, regularly resorted to as a form of alternative therapy in order to reduce high stress levels. Other forms of alternative therapy include reflexology, yoga, aromatherapy, naturopathy, Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Homoeopathy and acupuncture, among a wide range of other treatments. Magnetic therapy is also a form of alternative therapy that uses static magnetic fields. A lot of medical practitioners are of the opinion that exposing certain parts of the body to such static magnetic fields helps in the improvement o adverse medical conditions. It is significant to remember that the magnets used during magnetic therapy are of right magnitude in order to ensure that the do not affect the blood circulation in any way.

It is difficult to test the efficiency of the magnetic therapy simply because the magnetisms of an object can only be tested against iron. Consequently it is hard to explicitly describe the exact method in which the static magnetic field believed to be present, acts upon the area to be healed. The concept of magnetic therapy dates back to several centuries earlier. It is believed that Cleopatra wore magnetic jewelry because of its healing energies. This form of therapy has suddenly gained popularity in the last decade or so, and now it has become a flourishing 100-dollar industry. Alternative therapists presently use magnets of standardized size and strength. One of the most commonly used magnetic therapy products is the magnetic mattress pad, which is generally used to treat ailments like insomnia, joint pain, muscle spasm, etc.

It isn't easy to trust alternative therapy because of the absence of a reassuring scientific base. However, because of the growing popularity of methods like yoga, meditation, tai chi, etc., it can be assumed that such alternative methods of healing are considerably effective. Most of these alternative therapies are used in conjunction with conventional medication, and are often referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Alternative therapy, mainly like magnetic therapy is naturally used to treat chronic ailments. While therapies like yoga, magnetic therapy and aromatherapy are considerably safe as they do not involve intake of medicine or any other substance, alternative forms of medicine like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine should preferably be taken along with mainstream medication only after consulting a qualified physician, in order to avoid possible side effects.