Glossary - Complementary and Alternative Medicine

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M -
N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z -

A

[return to top]

Acupuncture points - anatomic points on the body used in acupuncture.

Alternative medicine - any form of therapy used alone, without recommended standard/conventional treatment.

B

[return to top]

Botanical - of plants and plant life.

C

[return to top]

Complementary medicine - group of diagnostic and therapeutic disciplines that are used together with conventional medicine.

Cupping - the use of warmed glass jars to create suction on certain points of the body.

D

[return to top]

E

[return to top]

Electrodermal activity (EDA) - measures changes in perspiration rate.

Electromyogram (EMG) - measures muscles tension and tone.

F

[return to top]

G

[return to top]

Guided imagery - envisioning a certain situation or goal to help cope with health problems.

H

[return to top]

Hydrotherapy - use of water as a medical treatment.

I

[return to top]

J

[return to top]

K

[return to top]

L

[return to top]

M

[return to top]

Moxibustion - the burning of herbal leaves on or near the body.

N

[return to top]

O

[return to top]

P

[return to top]

Palming - an imaging technique involving the visualization of color.

Q

[return to top]

Qi - Chinese word for life force.

R

[return to top]

S

[return to top]

T

[return to top]

U

[return to top]

V

[return to top]

W

[return to top]

X

[return to top]

X-ray - electromagnetic energy used to produce images of bones, organs, and internal tissues.

Y

[return to top]

Yin and Yang - Chinese words for complementary and opposite forces that make up the life force (Qi).

Yoga - Indian word for "union." Yoga is a posturing and breathing technique to induce relaxation.

Z

[return to top]