Alternative healing has become a large part of medically treating ailments in western culture. Typically, alternative medicine focuses on treating the whole body versus a single symptom. Such treatment can include a professional giving treatment or an individual initiating such actions personally. With so many types of alternative medicine available, it is difficult to get an idea of the fundamental principles. A description of a few types of alternative medicine gives a beneficial understanding of how different practices, in holistic healing, serve to heal the body.

Professionals most visible to the public, practicing holistic healing, are in chiropractic care. Chiropractic care includes treatment of the spine and nervous system and eliminates the use of drugs to treat symptoms. Chiropractic care also takes an approach of natural wellness by choosing treatments that are less invasive than traditional medicine. This treatment alleviates nerve pain and increases function, in various parts of the body, with gentle manipulation. In addition, a chiropractor looks at a patient's diet and lifestyle.

Reiki is a technique from Japan and involves the use of "energy healing." Uses in western medicine when practicing Reiki include stress reduction and relaxation. Control of stress is thought to have a healing effect on the entire body. Benefits of Reiki are numerous and include better sleep, disease prevention, headache and migraine relief, lower blood pressure, and prevention of infection. For example, to relieve the symptoms of a cold or sinus pressure and allergies, hands are placed on various areas of the face and ears. Several techniques on the abdomen are said to treat gastrointestinal issues. Other benefits of Reiki include detoxification.

Other types of alternative healing include acupuncture. Acupuncture is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine and uses special needles called filform needles to maintain energy flow. This type of treatment is used to treat anything from infertility to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It became widespread in the United States after former President Richard Nixon made a trip to China and saw it being practiced. Doctors, of traditional medicine, most commonly use this approach with patients when receiving surgical treatment, back pain, as well as fibromyalgia and relief from the symptoms associated with treatment received by cancer patients.

Yoga has become most popular of many types of holistic wellness because of its wide availability and its place in popular culture. Yoga is well known for its benefits in improving a participant's physique; however it has many other properties that are beneficial to the body. Yoga is known to improve asthma, relieve high blood pressure, increase mental performance, and improve mood.

Other types of alternative medicine include Chinese medicine with the use of herbs. Eastern medicine is considered important for maintaining good health as well as preventing bacteria and viruses. Well known herbs in western culture are ginseng that is known for its ability to increase a person's energy, ginger for nausea and upper respiratory problems, licorice which treats a variety of skin diseases, and cinnamon that is used in eastern medicine for relief of arthritis, congestion, and prevention of gum disease and tooth decay.