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Over the past 20 years, American health care has shifted from a biomedical model toward a holistic approach that incorporates physical, emotional, social, environmental, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of wellness. Therapies from non-western medicine (such as acupuncture, herbal supplements, yoga, massage, medication) are used in conjunction with traditional western medicine as "complementary therapies" with the goal of health promotion. As current or potential future users of complementary therapy, college students will benefit from defining various complementary therapy modalities, exploring current research, and evaluating practitioners' qualifications. To enhance cultural sensitivity, healing practices from other cultures and cultural influences on health beliefs and health practices will be addressed.