Programs that offer health care and treatment procedures that fall outside the mainstream of conventional medical practice. Most alternative approaches provide preventive care in addition to treatment of established conditions, define health as more than just the absence of disease, focus on natural healing as the treatment of choice, avoid invasive procedures to the extent possible, and approach individuals holistically dealing with their mental, emotional and spiritual needs in addition to the physical body. Many have their origins in the medical systems of non-Western cultures or in ancient healing traditions. Some alternative therapies are used instead of traditional Western "biomedical" procedures; others are complementary, used in addition to conventional care.

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Organizations whose members are individuals whose practices incorporate any of a wide variety of health care and treatment procedures that fall outside the mainstream of conventional medical practice who have affiliated for the purpose of advancing their profession, promoting mutual interests, participating in medical seminars and conferences, networking with their peers, subscribing to journals and other publications, and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development. Included are associations for practitioners of acupressure, acupuncture, apitherapy, aromatherapy, autogenic therapy, biofeedback, colonic irrigation, craniosacral therapy, crystal therapy, feng shui, guided imagery, herbal medicine, holistic health care, homeopathic medicine, iridology, macrobiotic counselling, magnetic therapy, massage, aboriginal traditional healing, naturopathy, osteopathy, oxygen therapy, reflexology, spiritual healing, therapeutic fasting and/or vitamin therapy.

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