Integrative Doctor: Glossary of Terms

Acupressure: physical pressure is applied to points on the body.

Acupuncture: technique of inserting tiny needles into the skin to relieve pain.

Analgesic: drug used to relieve pain.

Alternative Medicine : healing process that does not fall into the category of conventional medicine.

Chiropractic: the profession of treating the articulations of the musculoskeletal frame to affect a response in the nervous system.

Electroacupuncture: form of acupuncture that uses pulses electricity through the needles.

Herbalism: practice that uses plants to treat patients.

Meditation: a mental discipline where a person quiets the mind to achieve a deeper state of relaxation or awareness.

Meridians: interconnected channels in the body.

Qi: energy flowing through the body.

Sonopuncture: type of acupuncture that uses a beam of sound instead of needles.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: traditional medical practices originating in China.

Yang: positive energy.

Yin: negative energy.