The application of non-traditional healthcare practice is gradually being accepted by most individuals in America and several other nations. Many persons are in support of non-traditional healthcare rather than conventional medicine. What differentiates non-traditional health care from conventional medicine is that the former has distinctive treatment approaches that are not applied by conventional doctors. The non-traditional health care techniques identify means of enforcing the body system, to initiate healing within the ill body ( Gray et al., 2010) . Various cultures around the world still apply this mode of treatment. This paper compares non-traditional healthcare in different cultures, discusses the benefits of non-traditional healthcare, and explores practices currently applied in my area and why people opt for these non-traditional methods.
Around the universe, numerous cultures are concomitant with this practice. Most people from different tribes and cultures have applied this technique since eternity before modern medicine development. These cultures pass their knowledge, beliefs, and skills relevant to non-traditional healthcare treatment from one generation to another. However, in many cultures, the application of these practices are performed by particular families within society. Some common cultures that still apply this method for patient treatment include New Zealand, the Native Americans, and Chinese culture.
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Native Americans still use non-traditional healthcare treatment approaches. The medicine used by most Native Americans is a combination of different health treatments gathered from at least 500 states that used to live in American in the past ( Gray et al., 2010) . Moreover, the Native American non-tradition health care treatments are grounded on the significance of comprehending that humans are part of nature. Hence, their health and nature is simply a question of stability. They believe that the balance between the environment and human well-being flourish when the sophisticated connection among them is kept honored and nurtured in all the means. However, most of the medicine used by Native Americans has never been researched; several studies have indicated that it might be correlating with conventional Medicine ( Gray et al., 2010) . For instance, Native Americans use the back of the willow tree as a remedy for pain; the tree contains acetylsalicylic acid used in modern medicine to make aspirin.
Rongoa is a significant aspect of health care to Maori culture despite their accord application of modern medicine. Indigenous plant-based medicine is an essential part of treatment, along with physical therapies and spiritual healing ( Māori, 2008) . According to Maori culture, treatment may be sought for various reasons. These include an illness that is strange or not treatable by modern medicine, mental disorders, and chronic disease, including type II diabetes. The non-traditional health practitioners are known as Tohunga. Traditionally Tohuis are seen as the worldly medium responsible for controlling spirits and shaping all phases of life ( Māori, 2008) . The Maori community views illness as a sign of disharmony with nature. Therefore, when a person gets sick, Tohunga first determines the imbalance between human beings and nature before treating the illness both physically and spiritually.
Most people from the Chinese culture are accustomed to depending on non-traditional health care practices. They believe that their non-traditional healthcare treatments are distinct from those of Native Americans and other communities worldwide. By 17 th Century traditional Chinese practitioners began distinguishing their healthcare practices as "Dong Y" to show a difference between their treatment and other cultures ( Tang, Liu, & Ma, 2008) . Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is considered alternative medicine in some parts of China, but TCM is an integral part of the healthcare system in Taiwan and the mainland. It was developed as a non-invasive intervention rooted in ancient beliefs and religious systems ( Tang, Liu, & Ma, 2008) . The TCM medical practitioners relied on observation. Unlike other traditional medicine forms that have become extinct over the years, TCM continues to be an independent branch in modern medicine and public healthcare. Non-traditional Chinese medicine is used to heal the side effects of chemotherapy, subduing cravings or withdrawal symptoms among some drug addicts, and treating chronic infections that western medicine is sometimes ineffective.
Non-traditional healthcare practices play a significant role in providing quality and holistic health care. The increasing interest in non-traditional medicine can be attributed to various factors such as quality of life issues, acknowledgment of the advantages of such therapies, and the prospect of a more holistic method to provide care. Complimentary Chinese non-traditional medicine is normally applied to relieve pain, treating psychological problems, lung diseases, and cardiovascular issues ( Kwai-Ping, 2015) . Such a therapeutic method emphasizes providing holistic care to persons with a specific focus on patients’ involvement. Most therapies involve the concept of internal healing within an individual. The holistic impact of non-traditional/complementary medicine is demonstrated in the previous trials, which involved the use of auriculotherapy ( Ross, 2009) . The therapy positively influenced the client’s sleeping behavior and managed specific minor illnesses related to sleeping problems such as dizziness, headaches, and nocturnal polyuria. Non-traditional practices have, in general, shifted the healing focus from the basic science of their body to incorporate the spiritual, physical, and emotional aspects of healing.
Different people incorporate different non-traditional practices for various reasons. Notably, most people don't entirely use the practices as the primary form of treatment but complement hospitals. The most common practices in my area are homeopathy, touch, dances, dietary supplements, yoga, and meditation. Although it is difficult to accurately determine the number of individuals who choose the practices over modern or traditional methods, I would estimate it to be approximately 20 percent. Around 60 percent of people who use non-traditional practices, use it as a compliment but not as a preference over the traditional practices. Published research shows that only 4.4 percent of people using non-traditional methods, primarily rely on alternative therapies (Austin, 1999). Both groups, however, use the methods for similar reasons. A research study by Austin (1999) suggested that non-traditional practices are associated with education and wealth levels. Being less educated or being poor increases a person's likelihood of using non-traditional medicine. Majority users do so due to not being satisfied with the conventional treatment ( Astin, 1999) . Many people use the practices because they believe and perceive the alternatives as more aligned with their beliefs, values, and orientations towards life and life.
In conclusion, non-traditional medical practices are still applied by some cultures in modern-day. Some popular cultures known for utilizing non-traditional practices include New Zealand, Chinese, and Native Americans. These cultures use natural medicine to remedy some less serious health issues. Application of these practices has numerous benefits, particularly in improving quality and holistic care through therapies, such as relieving pain and mental healing. For this reason, most people, even in my area, apply non-traditional health practices, most of them being homeopathy, dietary supplements, among others. The utilization of these methods is partly due to high illiteracy and poverty; people also argue that these methods align with their way of life.
References
Astin, J. A. (1999). Why patients use alternative medicine: Results of a national study. Survey of Anesthesiology , 43 (3), 181-182.
Kwai Ping, L. S. (2015). Role of Complementary Medicine in Nursing and Health Care Professionals. SOJ Nur Health Care 1 (2): 1-2. Role of Complementary Medicine in Nursing and Health Care Professionals .
Ross, C. L. (2009). Article Commentary: Integral Healthcare: The Benefits and Challenges of Integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine with a Conventional Healthcare Practice. Integrative Medicine Insights , 4 , IMI-S2239.
Tang, J. L., Liu, B. Y., & Ma, K. W. (2008). Traditional Chinese MedicineMedicine. The Lancet , 372 (9654), 1938-1940.
Māori, D. R. (2008). Traditional Māori Healing. BPAC Better Medicine NZ , 13 , 32-36.
Gray, N., De Boehm, C. O., Farnsworth, A., & Wolf, D. (2010). Integration of creative expression into community-based participatory research and health promotion with Native Americans. Family & community health , 33 (3), 186.
