Medical approaches that fall outside standard health care are considered alternative medicine when used instead of conventional medical treatments. A more common approach to medical care in the United States is the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which combines standard and alternative treatments. Integrative medicine coordinates medical professionals and nonconventional health care practitioners in a patient-centered approach that goes beyond a narrow focus on disease to address interconnected aspects of well-being, including emotional and social health.
Conventional medicine, or Western medicine, relies on evidence-based science to determine the best course of action to address medical conditions. A rigorous approval process requires clinical research trials, diagnostic criteria, and the expertise of medical professionals. (Opposing Viewpoints)