Alternative medicine is any form of healing that is considered to be outside the realm of conventional modern medicine. Alternative medicine covers a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies. Most of these treatments and health care practices are not taught widely in medical schools. Examples of alternative treatments for back pain are naturopathy, chiropractic treatments, homeopathy, infrared therapy, cranio-sacral therapy, massage, acupresssure and acupuncture.

If alternative medicine or therapy is used alone or instead of conventional medicine, it is called “alternative” medicine. If the treatment or therapy is done along with or in addition to conventional medicine, it is referred to as complementary medicine.