There are people who seek treatments that veer away from the usual accepted or traditional ways. A medical practice or system of treatment based on unscientific or unorthodox principles or methods is called alternative health. Sometimes alternative health practice is offered along with scientific medicine and is referred to as complementary medicine.

A number of research studies on unconventional cures are constantly being done to test their effectiveness. At the moment, the most popular alternative health therapies include relaxation techniques, chiropractic, herbal medicine, massage and prayer. It is estimated that alternative medicine has now become a $15 billion a year business which some insurance companies are even starting to consider covering.