Complementary treatments. Alternative medicine. Integrative care. More than 30 percent of American adults and 12 percent of American children have used health care options that fall outside the scope of traditional, Western medicine. But what do these terms mean? And which forms of treatment are most worth looking into?

Complementary Care Vs. Alternative Care

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is a defined difference between the two terms, even though they may be used interchangeably by the layperson:

Complementary Care: This term refers to medical practices outside of mainstream medicine that are used in conjunction with conventional medicine

Alternative Care: This term refers to treatment options outside of conventional medicine that are used in place of traditional treatment methods.

Whether you’re considering adding complementary treatment to your current medical care or if you’re looking at alternatives to your doctor’s recommended treatment options, here are five of the most popular, and best reputed, non-traditional medical treatment options you may want to explore with your doctor.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has roots that trace back 2,000 years (although some claim that this practice actually has been around for 4,000 years) to China. This practice is based on the concept that ch’i, or the body’s energy force, flows throughout the body. When your ch’i is blocked, illness and medical conditions result. Acupuncturists use small, sterile needles that are inserted into the skin at various points, depending on the ailment, to unblock this ch’i. In some cases, lasers or magnetic devices are used.