Alternative wellness tourism refers to travelling for healthcare treatments and availing alternative therapies and medicines. Alternative medicine is considered medications that are used to treat or cure a physical ailment or disease and are usually not considered a part of conventional medicinal systems. Although alternative and conventional medicines are often contradictory with one another, a new field has arisen under the title of ‘Complementary Alternative Medicine’ or CAM to provide a holistic approach of care to a patient.
Alternative medical tourism mainly entails travelling for complementary and alternative health treatments and therapies that are known for effective healing of mind, body and soul. Some of the most popular alternative approaches include:
- Homeopathy
- Body work treatments
- Chinese medicine
- Healing practices
- Ayurvedic treatments
- Hypnotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Reiki
- Spiritual retreats
- Reflexology
- Meditation and counseling
- Nutrition
