The US based National Library of Medicine classifies Alternative Medicine under the term Complementary Therapies. Therapies are termed as Complementary when used in addition to conventional treatments and as Alternative when used instead of conventional treatment. They may lack biomedical explanations but as they become better researched some, such as Physical Therapy, Diet, Yoga, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture become widely accepted.

Alternative Therapy increases endurance against stress, resistance against infection and slows down the aging process. It also strengthens the body and mind, promotes general health and quickens the healing process. Alternative Therapy has been found to be effective in the treatment of chronic diseases, widespread psychosomatic ailments and psychiatric problems - each of which continues to challenge the modern system of medicine.