Question:

As one judge claimed about pornography, "I can't define it, but know it when I see it", so it seems to be for the term "Alternative".

Has there been any consensus on what "alternative" means in a medical/health context, perhaps in the FAQs?

Answer:

ORTHODOX MEDICINE which sees mind and body as separate entities, is based on Pasteur’s ‘germ theory’ which has resulted in the ?multi-billion pharmaceutical industry which funds, educates and controls modern medicine. (In short, we are the random victims of external microbes and are dependent upon healing via external intervention (drugs, invasive techniques, surgery, etc.) ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE describes treatments which are not orthodox (mainstream medicine) - treatments which are an alternative to orthodox. It is based on Bechamp’s ‘polymorphism and terrain theory’ which acknowledges and works with the body’s own in-built healing mechanisms. (In short, we are responsible for our health - a cause and effect relationship.) COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE is complementary to something else - usually to orthodox treatment. Being complementary to orthodox, it comes from the alternatives and is the nearest to what some believe is a ‘foot in both camps’ but this is not an accurate measure. HOLISTIC (WHOLISTIC) MEDICINE addresses the whole person and not fragmented parts such as liver, bones, mind, heart etc. which orthodox medicine does and alternative medicine certainly can. Well people are seen as integrated, interactive whole entities on all planes (spirit, soul and body). By its nature all holistic medicine is alternative (to orthodox) but not all alternative medicine is holistic. (In short, holistic medicine sees a person with difficulties which are manifest in ill-health and perhaps other areas). All treatments are from alternative therapies which are based upon Bechamp’s work. The divisions between the above are not always clear-cut and many practitioners use parts from each. For instance, it is possible to give an orthodox drug in a homeopathic potency.

More question: