Sweet Medicine – see Why ‘Sweet Medicine’?

Integrative Health – a form of health care where what most people commonly think of as medicine, or modern Western, scientific care, is combined with other approaches and systems of treatment and healing, such as naturopathy, Chinese Medicine, massage therapy, osteopathy, energy medicine, herbal medicine.  These can be combined in the practice of one practitioner, or in the work of several practitioners, each collaborating to help a single patient.

Conventional Medicine – what is commonly thought of as the dominant form of medicine in Western societies, practiced by doctors and nurses, in clinics and hospitals, with drugs and surgery as the main tools of the trade.  It often, though not always, relies on high (material) technology to help diagnose and treat illness.

Complementary Medicine – A large and very diverse category of knowledge, consisting of all of the medicines in the world outside of Conventional Medicine.

Chinese Medicine – a system of treatment based in Taoist philosophy originating in China over 3000 years ago, and related to Japanese, Tibetan, and other regional medicines.  It treats imbalances in the body via acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage, lifestyle changes of diet and exercise, and qi gong.

Naturopathy – a form of medicine taught at accredited institutions that grant a degree called Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine for a four year program of study.  Naturopathy is based in various streams of knowledge, including the spa movement of the 1800’s in North America, and the Western herbal tradition.  In addition to learning Conventional history taking and diagnostic skills, Doctors of Naturopathy also study diet, exercise, Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, massage, and herbal medicine.  It is based on helping the body to heal itself by supporting it with prevention and gentle treatment.