An emotional and controversial subject, indeed! Almost like religion. Maybe it IS some people's religion. But for this discussion, let's try to focus on PHYSICAL life in the NATURAL world -- and FACTS. No hype! Neither "blind credulity" nor the "eternal skeptic". No "witch doctors" or "medicine man", either. Nor much of anything else you've heard, thought, or believed probably.

Not even traditional meditation will be considered; (Granted, SOME "psychological" therapies CAN be helpful, but when your home needs repairing, you need more than inner calm and a positive attitude. You need quality building materials and competent construction. Same with your body.) But since "psychosomatic healing" (so-called "placebo effect") is the only concept many people have of alternative [non] medicine, "natural" healing or holistic therapies, treatments that have strong spiritual ties to religious origins are deliberately omitted (even though some also have non-religious, non-spiritual, entirely physical aspects) so we can concentrate entirely on physical and biological therapies for the human anatomy and physiology and not be "comparing apples with oranges".

Discover here a BASIC CONCEPT nearly all non medical and other alternative physicians such as Chiropractors, Homeopaths, Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, and Herbalists share in common. Explore issues & answers. Separate myth from reality. And learn the FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE between most of the "natural" or "holistic" healing therapies

(such as Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Herbal "Medicine", Massage Therapy)

(also called conventional medicine, Western medicine, clinical medicine, mainstream medicine, standard medicine, and orthodox medicine).

Surely, such a vitally personal matter SHOULD be approached in a calm, sober, enlightened manner. Yet, even with all the apparent progress in recent years in the (at least superficial) acceptance of alternative therapies, there seems to be a deep down, unexplainable, almost religious feeling in most of us, especially in the "Western world" - and that many of us would deny even having (but "actions speak louder than words") - that it's somehow immoral, unethical, or otherwise wicked to undertake any form of health care without "consulting the gods" (the medical profession). On the "flip side of the coin" (anti-medical), if you've visited many of the alternative health information websites and you're like me, you could probably "feel the high voltage tension in the air" just reading some of them. Understandably, it's nearly impossible for someone who has frequently witnessed prejudice first hand or been very disappointed with a certain medical treatment not to harbor SOME negative feelings. But the intention HERE is to strive earnestly for less emotion and more truly educational information, presented (hopefully) in a manner to make learning enjoyable. (If you're new to all of this, there's quite a bit to absorb - a brave new world for some; almost like the North American easterners who moved out west century before last - some of THEIR friends and relatives thought THEY were "crazy", too.)

Since the prime objective here is education, these web pages are not "officially" copyrighted, that is, registered. Although in the U.S. they ARE legally "unofficially" copyrighted automatically when produced in any fixed publicly readable form, (See U.S. Library of Congress Copyright Summary.) you not only have permission, you are encouraged to print copies to share with anyone you think might benefit. (But please don't alter them and try to copyright the result.)

For copyright information on the pictures, just click on each picture individually to open a new window that includes an enlarged view and more credit details and background information - photographer, where and when taken, etc. - if available.