alternative treatment

noun

1. A form of medical care used instead of conventional medicine, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, or homeopathy; its effectiveness may not be supported by strong scientific evidence.

   B2

   countable or uncountable

   • "She tried an alternative treatment after conventional medicine did not help."B1
   • "Some alternative treatments have not been tested in rigorous clinical trials, so their effectiveness is uncertain."C1

2. A non-standard therapy used alongside or in place of regular medical care, often as a complementary approach.

   C1

   countableoften used in the plural

   • "The clinic offers a range of alternative treatments, from massage to meditation."B2