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Table 1 Brief descriptions on each T&CM in Malaysia

From: Twenty years of traditional and complementary medicine regulation and its impact in Malaysia: achievements and policy lessons

Recognized Practice Area

Descriptions

Traditional Malay Medicine

Knowledge and practices are indigenous to the Malay culture deal with aspects of health and healing. It takes a holistic approach based on physical and spiritual elements [10]

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Based on Chinese culture, knowledge and practices of valuable long-term experience in understanding life, maintaining health, and overcoming the disease. It uses various psychological and/or physical approaches and herbal products to address health problems. [11]

Traditional Indian Medicine

A group of certain of India's ancient indigenous medical approaches originated from two ancient treatises. Malaysia government recognize Ayurveda (science of life), Siddha (perfection of heavenly bliss), Unani, Yoga, and naturopathy as Traditional Indian Medicine. [12]

Homeopathy

The therapeutic system of medicine premised on the Similarity—“like cures like”—implies that substances possibly causing diseases are used as medicines to treat similar patterns of illness experienced by patients. [10]

Chiropractic

Focus on the relationship between bodily structure (primarily the spine) and function; and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. The manual treatment methods used by chiropractors range from stretching and sustained pressure to specific joint manipulation, reducing pain and disability, and promoting rehabilitation [11]

Osteopathy

An approach of detecting, treating, and preventing health problems by stretching, moving, and massaging muscles and joints. The principle is that a person's well-being relies on their bones, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue functioning smoothly together [13]

Islamic Medical Practice

Therapeutic approach to treating physical and spiritual sickness by Muslims. Practitioners are skilled in treating using the verses of the Qur'an or hadith, or the practice of salaf al-soleh, ulamak muktabar, or all at once and using the techniques or materials that are allowed by shariah [10]