Alternative medicine is generally used to describe practices used independently or in place of conventional medicine.
Term ‘complementary medicine’ is primarily used to describe practices used in conjunction with or to complement conventional medical treatments. An example of complementary medicine would be using aromatherapy therapy in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled in an attempt to promote health and well-being and to help lessen a patient’s discomfort following surgery.
The terms ‘integrative’ or ‘integrated medicine’ indicate combinations of conventional and alternative medical treatments that have some scientific proof of efficacy; such practices are viewed by advocates as the best examples of complementary medicine.
Integrative medicine is not synonymous with complementary and alternative medicine. It has a far larger meaning and mission in that it calls for restoration of the focus of medicine on health and healing and emphasizes the centrality of the patient-physician relationship. The combination of orthodox and complementary medicine with an emphasis on prevention and lifestyle changes is known as integrated medicine.
